Checklist for a car sitting 4+ years?

[1trickpony]

I am looking at doing a little horse trading on a 1990 mustang lx 5.0
It has been sitting for the better part of 4 years.
What I do know:
-Oil Change.
-Radiator Flush
-Thermostat
-Battery
-Plugs and wires
-Tires ( They are flat now and probably have cracked)
-Fresh gas

I know I am missing some stuff but I was wondering what you guys would all check, fix, replace etc. etc. before firing the car.
I will bleed the brakes after I know it runs. (would you just vac the old out and start with fresh brake fluid?)

[Barry Donovan]

being flat tread..
may get some flat wobbles even after puffing things back up to new tires.

other than that. iron is iron.
keep suspension fresh and even, keep it on the pavement.

[squirrel]

I would just worry about brakes and gas and battery first, then see about the rest. If the brakes work, just put in a new battery, and deal with the fuel system.

[oletrux4evr]

snake check.

[tardis454]

I do the following to every car I've ever gotten that's sat.

*Pull plugs, dump oil/trans fluid in cylinders/intake
*Turn over/try to turn over motor by hand(with plugs out)
*Disconnect fuel lines, drain old gas (if you can) or add Stabil
*Make sure accessory drives aren't seized up before starting
*Free up brakes if necessary

That's what I do every time..

[milner351]

^^^^ that's a good list.

plugs and wires don't go bad from sitting unless rodents have chewed on the wires.

Putting something down the into the cylinders (marvel mystery oil is another good choice) and turning over by hand is a good thing.

Some times pulleys rust under belts in such a way that the belt will shred as soon as the engine starts, if it starts.

Getting rid of the putrid fuel is probably the hardest part.

[STINEY]

It wouldn't apply here, but on older stuff I take a dollar bill and stick it between the point contacts when they are fully closed (off the lobe)
Use the dollar like emery cloth to clean the contacts up, sometimes enough corrosion will build there to keep an otherwise functional ignition from firing.

It wouldn't hurt to check for fire at this time too. Take the primary lead that goes INTO the dist cap and hold it 1/4" from ground, and trigger the points manually with an insulated screwdriver. You should see a spark arc from the lead to ground.

[Deaf Bob]

Oh man!... I been doing it all wrong!..
Usually..brake fluid top off before any pumping whatsoever...
Battery...
Splash of gas in carb..
Runs... Then smell gas for " oldness" (paint thinner smell)..
Radiator top off..
Maybe change oil and filter and let it warm up..
Shifts ok? Brakes hold? Try to move..
Goes without saying..air up tires and hope it gets on the trailer before going flat.. Driving on the trailer is always a win...

[TC]

Oh man your motor has been sitting for 4 years and you haven't started it, your valve springs are shot...........

[tardis454]

Oh man your motor has been sitting for 4 years and you haven't started it, your valve springs are shot...........

.....................you're not being serious right?..............
I mean really,..........you're not saying this 'seriously'?...................................... .................................................. .........................................

[STINEY]

Some people believe this............ others have bigger fish to fry.........

[OldMachinist]

If the valvesprings are stock you shouldn't have anything to worry about. High pressure springs will lose tension from sitting open.

[dieselgeek]

Expect the injectors to be stuck shut. Seeing this a lot lately. Tap on them with the fat end of a screwdriver, bonus points for making up a simple harness (using a junkyard pigtail) and testing them with a 9v battery. You get a healthy CLICK when they're opening all the way.

[tardis454]

Some people believe this............ others have bigger fish to fry.........

Funny to mention that, I was just about to enjoy a tasty Whale sandwich..................................

[Mr4Speed]

Check for mice.