Bought a '68 Firebird not too long ago that hadn't been run much in the last 20 years. I'm looking to get it running a little better as it tends to stall out some, especially before the engine is completely warmed up. Planning to get a new air filter and plugs (although they didn't look too bad). Was also considering a new distributor cap. I was wondering if anyone had any additional suggestions about what to start with when the car hadn't been used much in a while.
I promised my nephew he could drive it to homecoming this next weekend, so I wanted to try to get a few of the simpler tasks completed. I had to teach him how to drive a carbeurated vehicle today, and since he's not too familiar with it, I was hoping to get it running a little better.
Hopefully you are not trying to run it on old gas.
I would replace the rotor and spark plugs wires along with cap.
2012 Mustang Boss 302 #1918, Competition Orange. FGF replacement 2006 Mustang V6 Pony, Vista Blue. Factory ordered. 2019 BMW X3 (Titled to the wife, but I'm always driving it for her. So I'm claiming it) Old projects, gone but not forgotten: 1967 FB 400, original CA car. After 22 years of work, trashed by the guy who was supposed to paint it. I had to sell it. 1980 Turbo Trans Am 1970 Mustang fastback, 351C 4Bbl, auto 1988 Mustang GT, 5 speed 1983 F-150 4x4, built 302 1994 Chevy K2500 HD 4x4, 454 TBI
Picked up most of the parts listed at Napa yesterday and the rest today. Only got the plugs installed so far and already it's sounding better. Besides what's listed we'll probably go ahead and put new points on.
Not sure how old the tires are. They have very few miles on them but are probably 10+ years old. Thinking I'll probably replace them in the spring or early summer. I'm probably going to get new rims so I can go with a wider tire to improve handling. I'll obviously hang onto the originals, but I've got the plain PMD hub caps which don't look that great anyway. So it's a good opportunity to put some nicer looking rims on.
Tell him not to go far and give about 4 times as much room to stop as he normally would in case the brakes have issues.
Hadn't thought of that, although the brakes seem fine. My biggest concern is trying to teach him to drive it without stalling it. I'm hoping these plugs, plug wires, fuel filter points, etc. should get it running well enough that it doesn't want to stall so frequently. He stalled it quite a few times and had a little trouble starting it Sunday when we took it out for a drive.
