Do I need to rebuild?

[Great_North_4X4]

I just purchased a '79 Jeep CJ7 with an inline 6. Long story short the guy I got it from parked it in his garage 6 years ago, left all the fluids in including the gas, and never started it again. The jeep was running fine when he parked it 6 years ago.

I'm not really sure where to start. How do I know if the engine needs to be rebuilt? I've got my tools out, the jeep is in the garage and I just need some direction.

[paulhead]

I'd say replace ALL the fluids to include the gas and filter , check the plugs, while the plugs are out drop a few drops of Lucas oil in there, let it sit over night, hand crank the engine to make sure things are turning, then crank the engine with the fuel line disconnected at the carb to get tany old fuel out, then start it. Maybe put in a new fuel filter after cranking out the old fuel. If I forgot anything I hope someone chimes in.

[Great_North_4X4]

Paul thank you for the information, I'll give that a shot tonight. When refer to lucas oil are you talking about lucas heavy duty oil stabilizer?

[Davisrats]

Or marvel mystery oil, you can spray or pour a bit the cylinders, any extra will come out when you turn in over. Change the oil and filter like paul said. Turn it by hand a couple times, then use the starter until you get oil pressure before you put the plugs back in. this is a good time to get the old gas out, put some new gas in the tank and crank to get gas back to the front.

light oil, transmission fluid, WD40, sewing machine oil any light stuff is better then nothing...

[Russ Chung]

Check the hoses and belts, too. If the engine hasn't been run in six years, I would imagine that the hoses and belts would be dried out and brittle.

[Great_North_4X4]

After 6 years of sitting untouched it rides again

I replaced all the fluids, put in a new battery, spark plugs and wires, rotar, distributor cap, fuel filter. Pulled the plugs and put some marvel mystery oil in, hand cranked the engine... Threw the dead rat out that had become one with the air cleaner and it fired up!! Proceeded to drive it to the gas station to fill up and pump up the tires.

The clutch was loud and the engine was running kind of rough, but it's running!

Thank you all very much for your help.

[Davisrats]

Cool, change the oil again in a couple hundred miles.

Happy JEEPin'

[paulhead]

COOL!
I say taxidermy the rat as a souvenier :bart:

[Mike]

After 6 years of sitting, I recommend that you pop the diff's and replace the fluids. The pulling gears on the trails are under pressure and old fluid could fail you.

Malachi