I am currently getting the old girl out of long term storage and gradually waking her up.

Unfortunately money and time were on the short side for the last few years and I have only recently had any of either.

So here's the situation so far...

I started by draining the fuel tank and flushing it with fresh gas.

Then I replaced the battery and crossed my fingers and turned the key...

Lots of cranking but it wouldn't catch.

I figured the fuel pump had gone south while it was in storage.

So back to my parts place for a new pump...

Got home and 45 minutes later the new pump and filter were installed.

Nothing... This led me to think I had a dead relay...

So in to the passenger side kick panel and pulling out the glove box liner.

I found the relay and pulled it out.

Back to the parts house and $134.00 later I have a new relay.

Plugged in the new relay and turned the key again... Nothing!

Cranks like hell but no fire.

So I poured a little gas in the throat...turned the key and we have ignition for about 5 seconds.

So at this point I am getting air and spark but no fuel.

There's a head scratcher, new fuel pump and new relay...no fuel getting to the engine?

So I consulted a guy from our forum and he advised me to jump terminal 30 and terminal 87 on the plug for the relay(30 is always 12 volts and 87 is the load side to the fuel pump.) If the pump is good you should hear it wind up. He also advised me to remove the air cleaner and push down on the plate with the key on. (this should open the injectors and you should hear them chatter.)

Surprise the "new" pump was dead right off the shelf!

So back to the parts house and return the bad pump.

Home again and under the car for the 4th time this week...

I am getting good at this, I got the new pump on in just under 20 minutes.

Back in the car to jump the relay again and check the new pump.

Presto!!! We have ignition and the engine sounds like it has been asleep for a decade!

So I shut it down and checked all the fluids. I am on my way back to the parts house to get a few things for a tune up, oil change and a filter kit for the transmission.


So here's the big question, I noticed I am getting a pretty significant leak at the drivers side valve cover gasket and it's running down onto the exhaust manifold.

Are these gaskets tough to change? Is there any thing I should be aware of?

Should I change the gaskets while I have it drained or will it make a difference? While I have it open is there anything else I should look for or check?