Starting(attempting to) after 29 years

[8bit-ash]

Should I even be thinking about trying to start my 2.2e after 29 years of standing? If it turns over by hand and I replace oil and fuel lines etc. Any advise much appreciated on what to check or whether to just forget the idea and drop it out.

cheers

[Nige]

Fresh oil, fresh fuel and a squirt or two down the plug holes turn it over by hand a few and then give it a go with a fresh battery installed and fire extinguisher nearby.

I probably wouldn't bother with new fuel lines but would be tempted to put an inline fuel filter in somewhere to catch any crud/spiders. Maybe even rig up a temporary remote fuel supply.

[Strictly]

My opinion is to have a go, ive had engines running that havent run in over 30 years. Ive never failed to get an engine that was not running siezed BUT whether this was really a good idea or not is a whole another question. Im sure there is plenty of others that will say dont do it. The reality is you might as well budget for a full rebuild of the engine and injection.

If you decide to get it running first...

Then

I would start by draining the oil, and checking there are no broken bits, of metal in the sump first.

Then I would take all of the spark plugs out, and using some fuel hose (to feed oil). I would squirt some oil into all of the cylinders and turn it over by hand, you will feel if it feels lubed or not. I would then move on to a valve adjustment, as you are going to need maximum compression to get that baby started

Once the valve adjustment is done. Put the valve covers back on, and fill it up with fresh oil and filter then, make sure your oil pressure light is working, disable the ignition (unplug the cdi) and spin the engine over with no plugs until the oil pressure light goes out.

Now clean/regap your spark plugs, and refit them. I would then reattach the cdi unit, and check you have spark, by putting a spare spark plug in one of the leads and spinning the engine over (you will have to pull the fuel pump relay so you dont have fuel.

Once you have spark, i would check your static ignition timing, and then move on to the fuel side. If its carbs, i would strip them down, but you need a rebuild kit, as the accelerator pump diagrams will be knackered. Anyway take them all apart, blow through all the holes, fit new accelerator pump diaphragms, and fill the fuel bowls up with fuel, then check you have a squirt of fuel from each accelerator pump, if so put the carb tops on, and fit the carbs.

Im not familar with mech injection, which you probally have fitted so I will let someone else advise that.

To make your life easier, I would then use some "easy start", and have a few spare batteries, as you'll need em. I once had to pour oil down the carbs to give enough compression to make the engine run. This is a bit iffy as it could lead to a hydraulic lock, but it was okay that time.

Ive never failed to have an engine run, that did not have a major mechanical failure. Some of those engines are still running today! Now whether this was all a good idea or not, is up to opinion. It all depends on funds and needs!

[8bit-ash]

Cheers Guys, I'll give it a bash. Just need to find someone who can cut a key from an ignition barrel first.

[911hillclimber]

Make sure your engine/battery earths are good.

[haasad]

Hot Wire it..!!

[Nige]

and video it.

[Mike911scrs]

HI 8bit-ash
before you turn the engine over, remove the intake rocker covers and inspect the cams for rust on the lobes, if there is rust on there and you do turn it over, you will rub the rust off and into the oil, then round the rest of the engine, also have a look in the oil tank for rust, with it been stud for that length of time rust, rubber seals and dried out gaskets will be the first of your prob's, rust in the cylinder bore with the valves open is/may also be a prob for the engine.

do some ground work before you turn it over

regards mike

[8bit-ash]

I definitely plan to film it. I want to replay that bitter disappointment over and over again. I was told it had already been turned over by the garage where it was towed to before I bought it. I don't know that for fact though because it didn't look like plugs or anything in the engine bay had been touched since the 80's.
I'll definitely set about all the checks mentioned in this thread before turning it over myself.
Hopefully the original ignition barrel i've been waiting for since January will be with me today. Theres a place down the road in Highbury who think they can cut me a key for it so fingers crossed no hot wiring needed.

[Strictly]

I want to replay that bitter disappointment over and over again.

Aim High buddy! Ive never failed to have a runner! it has taken me 6 - 12 hours though at times! You'll be fine. Good advice from mike on checking the rust on the cams, ive learned something for the next time i try =)

[cubist]

Absolutely... be positive! It's all good fun and you are probably going to rebuild anyway so just an exercise in freeing up components with as little damage as possible, with the bonus that it may run once played with. Win, win!

[Strictly]

any luck?

[shoestring7]

I definitely plan to film it. I want to replay that bitter disappointment over and over again. I was told it had already been turned over by the garage where it was towed to before I bought it. I don't know that for fact though because it didn't look like plugs or anything in the engine bay had been touched since the 80's.
I'll definitely set about all the checks mentioned in this thread before turning it over myself.
Hopefully the original ignition barrel i've been waiting for since January will be with me today. Theres a place down the road in Highbury who think they can cut me a key for it so fingers crossed no hot wiring needed.

If the locks are the originals Porsche will supply you a new key for £30-.

C>

[8bit-ash]

If the locks are the originals Porsche will supply you a new key for £30-.

C>

Ah I didn't know that. I got a couple from my local locksmith in the end.

Removed plugs, checked cams for rust, Had a little squirt of oil down the holes but couldn't turn it over by hand. got the mirror on a stick out to have a look down the spark plug holes and one seemed to be filled with water.

[stuby]

If that's the case then I would be aiming for a strip down and rebuild. You'll probably cause some damage trying to start it