74 340 Cuda! what should i do?

LM23P9B said
Wow, where to start? After setting that long a lot of things can happen. CHECK EVERYTHING. Brake hoses, lines, gas tank, lines, trans seals, ball joints, master cyl, wheel cyl, tires, EVERYTHING. The engine probably has at least 1 stuck valve and might have rings that don't want to move. With the engine I'd start by taking the plugs out and spraying lots of WD-40 in each hole. Pull the valve covers off and tap (tap not beat) all the valves to make sure they're not hung up. Do this with the piston down the hole so you don't hit the top with a valve. Turn it over by hand when you move from hole to hole tapping valves. Try to get it loosened up first. That should keep ya busy for a while. Hope this helps. Ray, one of the ***'s.

i agree with him! also i would tear down the top end and redo the gaskets. valve seals, intake, exhaust, valve covers..... it'll run if you dont do it but if you want to do it right thats what i would do. i have to go through this with my scamp but its only been sittin 8 yrs.... not 18.. plus this will give you an idea of what else may need to be done motor wise.

tranny i would wait on till you get it started. it may need a full reseal. but ya may be lucky and be able to get away with just a filter change and pan seal...

also i would TOTALLY redo the brakes. new master, new lines, new cals, new everything.....

new tires are a must. i have BFG Radial TAs on one of my darts and i like em....

oh and also have the radiator and heater cores checked. they may have rusted up since it sat. i have to redo mine in the scamp since it has sat so long without being changed. and mines new...... as of 8 yrs ago....

hope this helps...