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Sun Aug 24, 2008 3:57 pm

So I tried to search and just came up with too many threads on what I wasn't looking for...

I am wondering what I should do to my 66 if it has been sitting for nearly 2 years, just so I don''t mess anything up further when I try to start it.

Thanks in Advance for any suggestions.

(Btw, I am a beginner in the world of VW's)

Sun Aug 24, 2008 4:10 pm

Change the fuel lines and oil. Check the timing and valves. Your carb may need to be cleaned really well. If old gas sat in it, it is probably gummed up.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 4:14 pm

I would do the following:

1.) Check fluids in motor, master cylinder and tranny
2.) Turn motor by hand a few times
3.) Check boots on axels for any leaks
4.) Change points, condensor, cap, rotor etc
5.) Check carb to see if gummed up. If so, clean it
6.) Drain gas tank and put clean gas in the tank
7.) Check fuel lines
8.) Lubricate all grease fittings

Sun Aug 24, 2008 4:15 pm

Have you tried to turn the crank pulley by hand? Does it turn (you may need to use a wrench on the crank pulley nut). I would shoot a little Marvel Mystery Oil into each cylinder (remove each sparkplug to do that), then turn the crank pulley a few revolutions. Replace the plugs with fresh, properly gapped plugs. I would run a dollar bill throught the closed points to clean off any funk. Be sure you are running fresh gasoline through the system. Keep in mind the tank may have water or debris in it, so I would remove the tank and clean it out. Whilst the tank is out, I would run fresh gasoline throuht the fuel line with a large plastic syringe. be sure the fuel line is disconnected from the fuel pump and has a long enough braided line to drain into a glass jar. That way you can inspect the gas that's running through the fuel line. If it's really funky, you may want to flush the line. When all's good, reconnect the fuel lines, reinstall the tank, put in a few gallons (disconnect the fuel line from the fuel pump to be sure that gas flows freely by gravity to the pump. If not, you need to add more gas to the tank - but not too much in case you have to remove the tank again until you are assured it runs ok.) Be sure you reinstall the rotor and distrubutor cap and all plug wires. then crank away!

Sun Aug 24, 2008 6:48 pm

Take a good look at the wiring on the trunk side if the fuse box, make sure everything is connected and there aren't any bare wires hanging around before you put the juice to it. Also, look at the fuse box from inside the car and give each fuse a few slight turns incase some corrosion has taken place. Good luck! :P

Sun Aug 24, 2008 7:04 pm

My '65 sat for 26 years in a barn in S. GA. I followed the protocol I mentioned earlier and it fired right up! (OK, I lie.... it fired right up only AFTER I reinstalled the rotor I took out to clean :oops: )

Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:52 am

Thanks everybody, I will do those things listed off. This board kicks ass!

Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:57 pm

The advice you are getting here is good. I did not do any of those sensible things on a '67 that had sat for ten years after a complete rebuild. I put in a battery and discovered that it cranked over without any problem. The oil on the dipstick looked clean and I saw no evidence of water, so I thought, what the heck, primed the carb, and within a minute it was running. Once I verified that it ran, I shut it down immediately and proceeded more carefully. I put in fresh fuel on top of whatever was left in the tank. On a mechanic's advice, I added a bottle of stuff that is supposed to remove water from the fuel and just drove the old stuff out rather than trying to dispose of it some other way. I also changed the oil, replaced gas lines, checked the wiring, and so on.

I was lucky. I don't recommend my 'go for it' method for anyone else.