How to Start Your Healey After It Has Been Sitting for a Long, Long Time!

Tech Tip #1

How to start your Healey after it has been sitting for a long, long time!

We have a lot of experience with getting British cars on the road after a long sitting period, and there are some common threads that show up.

The first is, they hate to sit idle, and will behave badly when they have to do it. More wear and aging occur when they sit, than any other time, sounds crazy, but over and over I see it.

#1 The plugs should be removed, and oil squirted into the cylinders, and left to soak a bit before turning it over, by hand first, then by starter.

#2 The fuel we have today, has less aging resistance to it.... it goes stale and then turns to varnish after as little as 8 months. Very helpful to drain off and start fresh.

Add or install a new fuel filter too.

#3 The hydraulic brake and clutch system seem to suffer the worst. In as little as 6 months, the fluid will absorb moisture from the atmosphere, and begin to corrode all parts, and deteriorate the rubber seals.

At least, a flush and re-bleed, at most, total system rebuild.

A thorough inspection of the seals behind the dust covers will reveal how far yours has gone.

#4 The carbs may need cleaning to remove the varnish, and idle and richness re-set.

This is a good time to check the points and timing too.

#5 Cooling system should be flushed and start with new antifreeze. Same thing, coolant ages very quickly and causes internal corrosion, leading to leaks at hoses, heater, head gaskets and radiator.

#6 Oil change, with filter, acid build up in the oil, and it occurs while it’s not being run too! (Left over moisture from the last time it ran.)

#7 The trans/overdrive and differential would love to have their acid-oil changed too.
Chassis lube job, force out the corrosion.

You can just start it up, (maybe it will start) and not do all these things, but extensive wear from doing that will shorten the life of the car considerably!

Feel free to call/e-mail me with questions about your car, now or in the future.

Steve, Christopher and Laurie Day
British Car Ranch
509-662-5374

Web Page: britishcarranch.homestead.com