C3 storage

[halholbrook]

You guys have been a great help in the past on my 2001 C5 (and the piggy benefitted too). Now my question involves a 1971 C3 coupe with the original 350, 4 speed. This car belonged to a friend who had been the second owner since 1978. He passed away about two and half years ago and left the car to me in his will.

The car has been in probate ever since, and I have not been able to access it for service in all that time. He had stopped driving the car about two years before he died, so it has now been sitting unattended for almost five years. I know I'll have to go through the hydraulics and fuel system. I'm concerned about the cooling system as none of the fluids have been drained. Any chance this will have damaged the radiator, water pump, heads, etc.?

Although the car has been covered in a semi-enclosed garage, I'm sure the rodents have had a field day with it. I'm probably looking at waiting another six months before the attorneys have had their way with the estate, so I'm just wondering if you have any suggestions as to what to look for or steps to take once I start work to get the car back on the road. I know that's what my friend wanted, I just don't want to make things worse once I start getting into this.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Ticket Reply

[bradfordsvettes]

all the fluids should be changed . Special attention to the braking system. the radiator could have sustained damage depending on how bad the coolant was to start when left sitting A good flush with a flushing agent may be in order If it is a brass radiator you could look in the fill neck and get a pretty good idea if it is aluminum you are SOL pretty much and if either are original it may be time for replacement anyways Steve