Mine sat for 14 years, and although I'd already changed the oil, pulled the
plugs and shot a few desultory squirts of Liquid Wrench into the cylinder
bores, frankly I was just messing around cleaning the shed rodent fur off of
the starter solenoid's rubber button booty (say THAT three times quick),
when the thing suddenly sprang to life by itself...It was like I'd just
parked it for a quick dash into the 7-11 for some of that teriyaki jerky the
way it kicked in. Since the whole bottom half of the muffler was missing,
it also made quite a roar...I can assure you I needed a fresh pair of BVDs
that afternoon.
I suppose that all of this just goes to bear out the point of an earlier
posting...that the Herald's seem to be awfully robust primitive little
powerplants. A squoodge of oil or whatnot down the bores, drain and refill
what can be drained and refilled, and just fire her up. Run it a bit (maybe
a few hours) just to kick the cobwebs around and then drain and refill
again, and all will likely be well thereafter. Examine those first two oil
drainings carefully for clues in the clumps. As far as the engine oil goes,
I would recommend using whatever conventional oil and filter happens to be
on sale for this first "re-breaking in" period, because you'll likely WANT
that lower viscosity and its extra little rub-a-dub-dub knocking about those
rickety moving bits. After 500 miles or so, THEN go to the AMSOIL 10W30 and
filter. As for the trannies, I'd suggest an immediate whole-hog
pain-in-the-ass need-a-wrist-like-a-squirrel-monkey pull-the-drain-plugs
draining (as opposed to trying to pump it out, which never gets it ALL out)
and a refill with the AMSOIL GL-4, if only for its better anti-oxidant
properties compared with other gear goops.
Good Luck!
~Bilgemaster~
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Echemann
To: amphicar lovers
Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2000 11:38 PM
Subject: [amphicar-lovers] Engines&Clutches
Can anyone share what they've done to prep an engine for starting after it's
sat for many years. They are pretty durable little motors but some say drop
kerosene and trans fluid in the plug holes etc. Any tips I can draw on
here. The engine has been sitting idle for about 20 plus years. It is free
and I'm assuming(hoping it's fine). Oil, filters, fuel changes are a given.
I also found the car rolls freely when the trans is in neutral but once in
gear and the clutch pedal to the floor it won't. The clutch pedal feels
fine like it's pressing on the plate. I'm guessing the clutch and pressure
plate are stuck in the drive position and they need freed up. Does anyone
have any other thoughts and is it likely the clutch will free itself.
Thanks
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