I acquired a 428CJ

[69Ranger]

Its been sitting for about 18 years in a garage,  what do I need to check before I fire it up.  Previous owner rotated the crank quarterly. 

Thanks

Eric

[WConley]

Is it a longblock?  Rebuilt and stored?  Was it wrapped and sealed while in storage?

Rotating the engine was a good thing, but you'll want to look at the cylinders to be sure you're OK.  Valve stem seals may be dried and cracked, depending on type.  If the crank was well greased the front and rear main seals may be ok.  If the crank was dry those seals will probably leak.

Give us more info and I'm sure folks will chime in!

- Bill

[cammerfe]

You'll need to pay close attention to the carburetor. Be prepared to do a rebuild due to dried-up gaskets and residue from evaporated gas. Drain and replace the oil. Replace the filter. And after you start it be prepared to do the things you'll find to be wrong.

Personally, I'd tear it all down and look things over. The gaskets, etc., necessary to do so would be looked-at as cheap insurance. But that's me.  Good luck!

KS

[Joe-JDC]

Depends on what you are going to do with it.  Was it a rebuild, or just used and removed?  The water pump will leak almost assuredly, and the cork will seep everywhere.  It should be have the oil and filter replaced, and primed before attempting to start.  Fresh plugs, wires, fuel pump, hoses, and carb gaskets, etc.  I personally would not attempt this until I had replaced all gaskets, seals, accessories with fresh gaskets.  Joe-JDC

[shady]

I recently bought a 390 that was rebuilt lotsa years ago & then stored ever since. I could see it had new freeze plugs so I measured the stroke to make sure it was indeed a 390 & took a chance & bought it. I was so tempted to just put it in my 64 & fire it up, but I took it apart just to check things out. I wanted to check bore & see what pistons are in it. found a little rust here & there, nothing to worry about, but better not to have it floating around. I am not pulling bottom end apart as everything is new. head & intake gaskets are cheap, & if you decide to do nothing else, by all means change valve stem seals. they break up into the tiniest, nasty little pieces that will get caught in the oil pump & jam it. plus it doesn't get any easier to work on than when it's laying on the garage floor. good luck.

[69Ranger]

All good advice,  I have top end gasket set including stem seals.   It has cobra lemans valve covers.  Waiting to get the flywheel. 

The guy before me used metal duct tape and taped every hole in it,  Top of heads are clean no sludge in the springs, he put marvel mystery oil in the cylinders.  Carb is shot going to run a Holley 650 on it . I also have the C6 and yoke that came with it.  This was from a 68 Torino.  I will try to get some pictures today.

[My427stang]

Reseal it, check a few bearings and the timing chain and drop it in after correcting anything that looks shady....

[shady]

I resemble that remark!

[69Ranger]

ok I took the heads and the oil pan off.  One of the push rods was bent a little bit also the oil pump shaft is and the crank timing chain guard is bent.

[69Ranger]

Tore it to a short block today and attached is what we found. 
Cylinder walls still have the cross hatch marks with no ridges.  Head gaskets looked new.
1 push rod was bent on exhaust valve
Timing chain guard is bent
oil pump shaft is bent.

Should I go deeper into it.  Heads will go and get serviced and to make sure exhaust is hardened.
for some reason I cant post pics.  Each one is less that 63K
Thanks again.

Eric

[bn69stang]

Make sure there are not any valves stuck , when you re assemble or you will bend pushrods . going over it all , you should be fine .. Bud

[bn69stang]

Your pics beat my post , good idea

[69Ranger]

ok,  turned heads into machine shop,  exhaust valves are shot and valve seats worn down.  Valve guides have been replaced also from a previous job and have a lot of play.  $600 and it should be brought to todays standards.  Does this sound like a good price?  They are going to resurface the heads also,  what do I need to do with the non adjustable rockers?  shorter pushrods by the amount they remove?

Thanks

Eric

[69Ranger]

Update:

Head seats are cracked in the CJ heads as well as the spark plug holes.  Got a set of these C3AE-6090 off my 390 and they will be completed on Monday.  Getting the flywheel resurfaced and having a hard time getting a timing gear set.  Numbers on the gears are S410 and S331 which goes to a 391 block.  Oil pump and shaft will be here tomorrow.

[69Ranger]

She's alive!  Have everything installed and 25psi oil pressure at idle.  No vibration from the flywheel.