jim wrote: grumpy i just purchased a 1973 chevelle that had not been started in 12 years, naturally the battery was dead as a rock, so I jump started the car once i replaced the old battery,and got it to run with fresh gas and a new fuel filter, but once I got home the car would not start...any ideas?
CONGRATS on the new purchase of a project car!
the first thing Id want to check is that the battery cable connections were clean on both ends of both cables and that the car could be jump started and made to run, then id start trouble shooting, theres a couple simple tests you can do once the new battery is installed, with a multi meter
before you start the car the battery should read near 12 volts, once the cars started the alternator should be providing about 13.8-14.5 volts,Immediately after start up the alternator should be charging between 13.8 and 14.5 volts and gradually drop as the battery charges up. get a trickle charger to charge the battery and a /battery minder,to keep it charged as frequently not driving the car for a few weeks at a time is sure to reduce battery life.
a new battery may not be fully charged so Id charge it over night with a trickle charger, and you didn,t say if the engine spins over on the starter easily indicating the battery and starter are good or if its just not firing and running......if the engine spins easily the starter and batter are not nearly as suspect as the carb and ignition.
id sure start with flushing out the fuel system, and giving a car that had not run an oil change and fresh oil filter, air filter plugs, and a basic tune-up.
i,d throw a can of injector cleaner in the fuel tank, and a quart of marvel mystery oil in the crank case and adjust the ignition timing, carb float levels , verify fuel pressure,verify ignition timing, check all the fluid levels in the radiator AFTER replacing the coolant/antifreeze and verify the oil pan was full and transmission, fluid level was good.
btw CHECK THE BRAKES,(CALIPERS PADS, DRUMS SHOES ETC, BRAKE FLUID, U-JOINTS, AND WHEEL BEARINGS asap
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