starting up old V6

I bought a old 66 cj a while back. I am finely getting to it. I Just bought a starter and want to see if she'll fire up. Its been sitting for 20 years, but supposedly ran when it was parked. The gas tank is a little rusted out, and mice had built a nest in the two barrel carb. I have disconnected the gas tank, place a little mystery oil in the spark plug holes and cleaned out the carburetor. Any thing else I should do before trying to start it? Ill be doing a compression check also. The trans and transfer case are out being rebuilt. This is the original 225 v6. Thank you for any help.

 

I would try to turn it over with a socket on the front pulley bolt to make sure it is broke loose and change the oil. Check the points for corrosion and clean up and regap them. If it does start, check and see if you have oil pressure immediately, the pump may have lost it's prime after 20 years.

 

Ahh, the oil pump loseing its prime would of never crossed my mind. I am a mediocre mechanic at best. Thank for the info, I'll be changeing the oil and checking the points to day.

 

I would leave out the plugs and remove the wires on the + pos term of coil and spin engine a few times with big socket on front pulley and when it spins pretty freely I would then spin it up with the starter. Fresh oil of course and observe oil pressure. When installing new oil, put in four quarts regular and one qrt of Marvel Mystery oil. When you get sufficient oil press then I would crank it several times with starter. The more the merrier. Just dont burn up the starter After your satisfied it spins good with no squiking or clunking then I would go for start-up.

 

check your wiring everywhere also mice do like to chew the tasty insulation

 

I am seeing reference to guys using Rotella 15w40 in their old CJ's. The word is it really cleans out the sludge so the filter should be changed after 500 miles. Anybody have any experience with this? It seems it would be the ticket for old engines that might have been out of service for years.