[T3] Starting Again?

[Gary Forsmo]

Jacob --

Welcome back to the world of T3's again.

Two years ago, I resurrected my '69 Squareback from a 10-year barn
storage period.

With a lot of verbal phone (as well as "hands on") assistance from Jim
A. (and others on the List) I did what many have suggested.  I'm
fortunate to have Jim within 75 miles of our summer location.

1)  Changed the oil.  Once before the initial start.  Another after 50
miles.  But even before the "test start", I ....
2)  Changed MOST of the fuel hoses from/to fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel
filter, fuel ring, "stubs" to the injectors, return fuel line, etc.
But I didn't change them all.  Mistake!  Because this year on spring
start up, one of the fuel hoses which I didn't replace 2 years ago ...
LEAKED.  Do 'em ALL and install a new fuel filter.
3)  I had Jim rebuild the fuel pump end of the fuel pump.  Motor end
was good, IIRC.
4)  I had 8 fuel injectors.  4 in the car; 4 extras.  I had them all
professionally  cleaned (reverse flushed), tested for spray pattern
and operation.  4 failed.  I got 4 good ones back.
5)  Jacked up the car and removed the jack stands the car had been
"perched on" for 10 years.  3 of the 4 tires "blew out" when the car
weight was lowered on them.  Bought and installed 4 new tires, valve
stems, balanced, etc.
6)  As soon as I could, I had Jim rebuild my master brake cylinder,
replaced brake switches, flexible brake hoses, new brake pads, honed
rear brake cylinders, adjusted the shoes, installed DOT 5 brake fluid.

It's one thing to get the car going down the road ... but you must
also get it stopped, too.

7)  Adjusted valve clearances, timing, dwell, etc.
8)  Oh, one simple but very important thing I almost forgot.  Jim
"reinstated" a good solid ground connection by installing 2 Belleville
washers ( also known as a coned-disc spring, or conical spring washer)
for the fuel injectors.  That one "fix' on my car, eliminated a
high-speed "miss" and the engine ran like new, again.

There are probably a few other things that we did, but many of them
were inconsequential to "getting the car running and road-worthy".

Just ask the questions, Jacob.
The guys and gals on the List will almost always have the correct
answers.  It may take some time, but there's a wealth of experience
and knowledge available here.  Not from me.  But the others.

Advice is FREE ... but opinions vary.  :-)

Gary "Frito" - '69 Variant, FI, MT
Rockport, TX (winter)
Lake Geneva, WI (summer)