350 Chevy fired up after 5yrs

[Charles Fitzgerald]

Hello to all, it's Spring weather here in SW Arkansas.

 I charged the old Everstart 24MS battery in the little Spectrum, put the fuel line down in some semi fresh gas spiked with Techron fuel system cleaner and the 350 fired off and ran great! after 5 years of setting.

I learned a few things in doing so, 1) the Start battery also powers some of the cabin lights and 2) the batteries are Group 24's and are a bear to turn up sideways and slide down to their resting places. 3) I must have put pure gas in it that last fill up, instead of corn gas :).

 Now, I'm trying to decide between Everstart Maxx batteries or Duracell--Anyone ran the Duracell's? Batteries+Bulbs in Shreveport has the Duracell in Deep Cycle for $82 and Starting/Cycling for $86 W/12 mos warranty in the Group 24. WallMart is at $100 W/24 mos Warranty. So, WM is 20mi away and Batteries+Bulbs is 60mi, any advice on the two brands??

 Also, what do you think the start battery runs besides some of the cabin lights?

  Thanks

  

 

[Dawn Michelle]

Well that's alright then! 

You know, you got me to thinking - maybe I should see if I can fit two batteries in that engine space where the one house is now.  There's a lot of room in there...although it would require figuring out how to bolt in a larger shelf...actually the one right now is hanging by these long bolts and wanted to secure that better, so... 

[Rich Thomas]

I really can't imagine why the builder would power any lights other than maybe a dome light. With the probability of draining your chassis battery and leaving you stranded some where a distinct  possibility. But hey stranger thing as they say.  One thing you may want to look into is to put a Zink additive in the oil of the old 350 as modern lubes don't have it as per the E.P.A. or find a good racing oil like Valvoline. It will keep your valve stems from grooving the cam lobes.( Google it for more information). I really like that Techtron I had an old F150 that sat for five or six years and ran like crap. I pulled into a NAPPA store and put a bottle of that in the tank. Five or six miles down the road it was running well and the further I drove the better it ran. good luck on your project.

[Charles Fitzgerald]

Thanks Rich,

 Yes after I read the reviews on the Techtron, I knew that I had to get some! I surely thought that the MH had corn gas in it, but apparently it didn't. And yes again to me geting some Zink additive for it also, I had put Moble1 in it to come from California and it hasn't been driven since.

[Kevin Vaughn]

I have a 1974 Chevy C20 vintage pick up truck. It had been sitting for about 5 years also. It is one of my three project trucks that is ALMOST done. Going to use it to tow my vintage trailer. Anyway, I also just put in a new battery, sprayed a ounce or so of good gas in the carb, and it fired up as if it had been parked about an hour ago. Incredible. Good thing too, I remember filling both tanks to the tune of about 100 dollars right before I parked it! 

[Charles Fitzgerald]

Kevin

 Good to hear that you're almost done with the pick-up, I've got a '77 Suburban that would be a TT pulling fool lol. It's a Project for sure, I have a 1973 Cadi 472 sitting in it. Some years ago, I replaced Rod and Crank bearings before setting it in the vehicle. Never did crank it.

What engine do you have in the '74?

[Kevin Vaughn]

It's the 350 four bolt main steel forged crank and rod wonder. And it only has about 3000 miles on it since it was rebuilt by a local high performance shop even though it is rebuilt to stock specs to keep it totally reliable. I had the same truck with a 454 but it wasn't any faster than the 350 truck and only got 9 mpg when this one is around 16~18 depending on how I drive it and if I am pulling a trailer. It's a 4 speed, with granny low 1st and a posi rear end stock too. All I have left mechanically is the rear brakes, and I'm replacing w few steering parts. After that just body and paint and it is finished.