Looking for some advice for 1968 Pontiac Lemans

[Alexmacro248]

I inherited a 1968 Pontiace lemans Sports Coupe 350 V-8 Automatic from my dad and It has been sitting under a carport for almost 30 years. Last time it ran was 1993. Since then it was parked and thats it.

So what are some basic procedures you can recommend to attempt to fire this thing up. I'm assuming gasket replacing galore, the only thing I have done was to see if it hand cranks and It does turn.

My main goal is just to get it running and go from there.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

 

[melsg5]

Change every fluid in the car, coolant, engine oil and filter, transmission fluid and filter, brake fluid, and differential. New battery, air filter, drain the gas and change the fuel filter.
Test the plug wires with an ohm meter. 1k/ft. maximum.
Check the cap and rotor.
Replace the points and condenser.
Replace the spark plugs.
Check AC with gauges.
Check brakes.

 

[Kraig1957]

In addition to what Melsg5 says, from the picture it doesn't have a belt on the A/C compressor. I would see if you can turn the A/C compressor by hand freely with the engine off, and replace all the belts for the alternator and P/S pump. It would be good to change all the coolant hoses (heater core and radiator) and pressure test the cooling system. You should also change the air filter. I don't see the heater tube from the exhaust manifold (drivers side) to the air filter inlet. That will need replacement if you start driving in the winter, or in colder areas to prevent carburetor icing. I wouldn't test the plug wires, but instead I would replace all of them (one at a time).

 

[Alexmacro248]

Change every fluid in the car, coolant, engine oil and filter, transmission fluid and filter, brake fluid, and differential. New battery, air filter, drain the gas and change the fuel filter.
Test the plug wires with an ohm meter. 1k/ft. maximum.
Check the cap and rotor.
Replace the points and condenser.
Replace the spark plugs.
Check AC with gauges.
Check brakes.

Great! Thank you. That's pretty much what I wanted, like a checklist.

______________________________

 

[Alexmacro248]

In addition to what Melsg5 says, from the picture it doesn't have a belt on the A/C compressor. I would see if you can turn the A/C compressor by hand freely with the engine off, and replace all the belts for the alternator and P/S pump. It would be good to change all the coolant hoses (heater core and radiator) and pressure test the cooling system. You should also change the air filter. I don't see the heater tube from the exhaust manifold (drivers side) to the air filter inlet. That will need replacement if you start driving in the winter, or in colder areas to prevent carburetor icing. I wouldn't test the plug wires, but instead I would replace all of them (one at a time).

Yeah my dad ( who is not a car guy, like he knows the real basics) said the ac wasn't working when he got, obviously the belt is missing so it wouldn't work but im unsure if it did work before the belt broke off.

I do have a small list of things i purchased.

Such as new spark plugs,and spark plug wires, new radiator hoses, oil and oil filter.

Have not installed yet because i didn't want to start and not be able to finish ( we just finished moving a while ago and recently just finished remodeling.)

I noticed the heater tube was missing, I can't seem to find a replacement for that.

From the looks of it , I will need a new radiator, it is full of rust.

 

[melsg5]

See if your area still has a radiator repair shop. They can clean them.
First flush the cooling system with Prestone cleaner and see if that is sufficient. Try Ames Performance for the tube, GTO catalog

 

[mobileparts]

And if you want QUALITY tune up parts --- N.O.S. +++ Blue Streak Points, Condenser, and Rotor +++ as well as a N.O.S. +++ DELCO with Copper / Brass Contacts Distributor Cap -- I have them.... Once for life....
Don't go Chineseum on that --- far too important --- NOT big money....

Always best to simply call me --- Craig --- 516 - 485 - 1935.... New York...