Startup after winter

[MonkeymanJohn]

Hi everyone. I am the lucky owner of a 1973 C3 L82. Due to covid and the winter, the car hasnt been started for just over a year. Unfortunately I didn't attach my trickle charger, so the battery is dead. Am I ok to jump start the car, or wouild I be better buying a new battery? Also, other then checking all fluid levels and putting fresh petrol in, is there anythingelse I should do before starting the engine? Thanks in anticipation

 

[Daytona Vette]

Charge the battery first, otherwise from the jump start the alternator will be working very hard to charge the battery - quick way to ruin an alternator
I presume once the battery is charged she wont burst into life on the first crank, so crank her over 3 or 4 times without firing till you see the oil pressure come up, before you let her fire up - get some more air in those tyres to help them round up - they have been flattened in one position for 12 months - get a battery cut off switch to protect the car and battery for when it is not in use.

 

[Chuffer]

You might get away with a recharge of battery but `i personally wouldn`t rely on it lasting too long . Car batteries are not designed to run flat over long periods and then charge up again like boat or caravan 12V batteries . As Daytona says , crank over well before fire up to get that oil around the block . Have the tyres lost pressure whilst standing so long ? If so , the side walls could be deformed and damaged . A cut off switch will prevent battery drain by the clock , I doubt anything else is ` live` on a 73 but it won`t stop the battery loosing charge over periods of standing un used . Get a good quality battery conditioner and use it all the time the car is in storage . I have had one since first buying the C3 5 years ago and use it all the time . It has never missed a beat so far .

 

[MonkeymanJohn]

Thanks for the advice

 

[Chuffer]

Your welcome . The bill is in the post .

 

[Roscobbc]

Inspect condition of the brake fluid. If stored in damp conditions it may have absorbed moisture and need flushing. Likewise the coolant - does it have the correct concentration of anti-freeze - is it a dirty muddy colour?.

 

[Mad4slalom]

Hi MM john, When my 72 arrived after a long journey from the states and a period of pos 2 months without starting I checked all fluids and levels and then pulled the coil lead from the centre of dizzy cap and wound her over for several short periods to get things moving without starting. Oil pressure came up to 70 so then plugged the lead back in pumped the throttle a few times and she fired up. It took me a while to find the starting procedure. I was surprised at how much gas i need to pump into the carb to get her running smoothly. I would think next winter to not only get a battery conditioner/ trickle charger but make sure you start her up every 2/3 weeks. You get a fair bit of condensation from the exhausts, best to pick a dry day and actually run it up the tosd to get it warmed up and to get the brakes and steering Moving .
this should avoid having to re bleed the brake system slso, vehicles dont like being stood for long periods. Good luck , hope you enjoy yr first trips back on the rosd

 

[Chuffer]

Hi MM john, When my 72 arrived after a long journey from the states and a period of pos 2 months without starting I checked all fluids and levels and then pulled the coil lead from the centre of dizzy cap and wound her over for several short periods to get things moving without starting. Oil pressure came up to 70 so then plugged the lead back in pumped the throttle a few times and she fired up. It took me a while to find the starting procedure. I was surprised at how much gas i need to pump into the carb to get her running smoothly. I would think next winter to not only get a battery conditioner/ trickle charger but make sure you start her up every 2/3 weeks. You get a fair bit of condensation from the exhausts, best to pick a dry day and actually run it up the tosd to get it warmed up and to get the brakes and steering Moving .
this should avoid having to re bleed the brake system slso, vehicles dont like being stood for long periods. Good luck , hope you enjoy yr first trips back on the rosd

Regular start ups really need a good road run each time to get the engine fully up to temp to dry out all internal condensation in the engine otherwise you will end up mayonnaise inside the valve covers and filler cap . I would say at least 15 to 20 miles

 

[richie500]

Hi everyone. I am the lucky owner of a 1973 C3 L82. Due to covid and the winter, the car hasnt been started for just over a year. Unfortunately I didn't attach my trickle charger, so the battery is dead. Am I ok to jump start the car, or wouild I be better buying a new battery? Also, other then checking all fluid levels and putting fresh petrol in, is there anythingelse I should do before starting the engine? Thanks in anticipation

Firstly am i the only one that found it funny when you refer yourself to be lucky to have a dead corvette, i hate to see what you call unlucky.
Secondly don't give up on your battery just yet. A lot of chargers will not charge a battery when completely flat. Try jump start the car and drive for a while then put it on a trickle charger. Worked for me

 

[Mad4slalom]

Regular start ups really need a good road run each time to get the engine fully up to temp to dry out all internal condensation in the engine otherwise you will end up mayonnaise inside the valve covers and filler cap . I would say at least 15 to 20 miles

Yes definately chuffer, we get some great blue sky and dry winter days so what more excuse to give the car a blast.