To cut a long story short, next week I'm going to a garage that hasn't been opened in over 20 years, that should contain some sort of tiny Honda van (probably a very early Acty or very late TN7) and I'm dragging it home (if it's even there). If it's rotten (very possible), it will be a very involved project for myself or someone else, but if it's been well preserved then I would like to get it running and back on the road again as quickly and cheaply as possible.
My question really is how do I go about reviving a car that's been sat dormant for 20 years or more? I've done a little research. It seems with the engine the idea is to take out the spark plugs and see if it turns over by hand, then drop a little oil in and leave to soak for a few days, before changing all the fluids. Then turning it over with the starter but no sparks to get the oil moving, and then whack the sparks in and give it a go. Am I missing anything there?
Obviously things like the tyres will be utterly passed it by now, and I'm thinking it would also be sensible to renew all brake shoes, wheel cylinders and flexis? What else should I be looking at replacing immediately?
Also, I'm wondering how difficult it is going to be to get the thing out of the garage? I imagine after 20 years all the tyres will have been flat for a long time, so I'll bring a pump. But what else might get in my way? And what tools should I be taking to overcome them.
All this may well be irrelevant, as if the garage is very leaky, the van will be rotten, but I'm dreaming of opening the door to to find a dusty cover over an immaculate little van
Thanks in advance
My question really is how do I go about reviving a car that's been sat dormant for 20 years or more? I've done a little research. It seems with the engine the idea is to take out the spark plugs and see if it turns over by hand, then drop a little oil in and leave to soak for a few days, before changing all the fluids. Then turning it over with the starter but no sparks to get the oil moving, and then whack the sparks in and give it a go. Am I missing anything there?
Obviously things like the tyres will be utterly passed it by now, and I'm thinking it would also be sensible to renew all brake shoes, wheel cylinders and flexis? What else should I be looking at replacing immediately?
Also, I'm wondering how difficult it is going to be to get the thing out of the garage? I imagine after 20 years all the tyres will have been flat for a long time, so I'll bring a pump. But what else might get in my way? And what tools should I be taking to overcome them.
All this may well be irrelevant, as if the garage is very leaky, the van will be rotten, but I'm dreaming of opening the door to to find a dusty cover over an immaculate little van
Thanks in advance
