Cars that sit awhile.

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Kern Dog

Build your car to handle.
FABO Gold Member
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Granite Bay CA
I know that I’m not the only one like this.
Car guys will sometimes have more than one of the cars they like. I’ve seen it across all models of cars too… VW dudes that have 4 Beetles and a van, Ford guys with two Mustangs and a Torino.
We Mopar guys do it too.
This often means we have cars that sit awhile between drives.
My 72 Duster sits….

94DCFBD2-BA9D-499D-AEE8-F5EEFF643FCB.jpeg


This car was bought in 2007 for my out of state brother in law when he was 22. He wanted to get into the Mopar game so I put out the feelers and found this… slant six, three on the column drum brake with a dead engine and rust. Over the next 3-4 years we (Mostly ME) swapped in a 360 from a van, 904 from a junkyard, FMJ discs, B body 8 3/4 and some new parts too.
Then, he lost interest in cars so I bought him out.
This poor car sits and sits.
It runs strong though. It will spin both tires 50 feet or more on dry pavement and handles pretty good too. The brakes are the best of any A body I’ve owned.
Still, it sits and because of that, the fuel system takes a beating.

900911D2-5E2A-4078-AB00-871346832541.jpeg


It has the common Holley 600 4 barrel but after sitting, it gets gunked up. It looks clean because I did have it rebuilt 2 years ago but since it sat again, it drips fuel down the throat when running and pukes gas from the front vent tube.

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I’ll need to go through it again. This time, I’ll do it. I’ve rebuilt Holleys before. I got lazy. I had a guy at a carb rebuilder shop do the work in trade for some parts I had that he needed. It saved me time but in the process, my skills went unused and I’m out of touch.
I need to find some of that carburetor solvent to soak these parts in. The local parts stores tell me they can’t get the good stuff here in California. I may have to go to Nevada.
What brand and type of solvent do you guys recommend?
I have a few carbs here I’d like to rebuild so I need more than a one gallon can of this stuff.

2FD32D49-120C-4730-B37B-5E5C35DE15DF.jpeg


Yeah, I have other things to tend to along with a funky carburetor but one thing at a time!

ADEF91DB-335C-49DA-88F7-7EF09F6A8343.jpeg
 
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Man, I just wish I had the space to have cars sit. I could definitely understand how having a handful of cars would mean some of them sit for a while. Good thing it's easy enough to wake them up though. Time to invest in some car covers maybe or at least a harbor freight tarp. :poke:
 
Yeah, I had a cheap cover that got shredded over the years.
I’m sure This Holley needs at least a basic cleaning and a needle and seat. The accelerator pump is stuck too. This is usually from gunk in the passage.
I’ve put this stuff in the tank…

87032467-979B-44C9-9DBC-B3519C0B15D9.jpeg


If it is working, it isn’t doing enough.
I’ve found that even with the classics that I do drive more often, the rubber hoses in the fuel lines do dry out and crack faster than they used to. The ethanol must be responsible for that.
 
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Yeah, I had a cheap cover that got shredded over the years.
I’m sure This Holley need a basic cleaning and a needle and seat. The accelerator pump is stuck too. This is usually from gunk in the passage.
I’ve put this stuff in the tank…

View attachment 1716236729

If it is working, it isn’t doing enough.
I’ve found that even with the classics that I do drive more often, the rubber hoses in the file lines do dry out and crack faster than they used to. The ethanol must be responsible for that.
I'd bet its a combination of that and today's rubber just isn't the same either. Tires and radiator hoses sure don't seem to last as long as they used to.
 
Go to tractor supply. they get the good oil based solvent from out of state. HOWEVER you have to catch it. it doesnt come in regularly and it gets bought FAST. keep an eye out though because it is good ****

or just get super clean at the parts store and do a 70-30 mix with hot water. works just as good.
 
It only takes 30 minutes once a month to keep things humming.

Set a calendar and take it out for a 30 minute drive once a month.
 
Dana, once a month and everything will remain healthy inside the engine?
 
Dana, once a month and everything will remain healthy inside the engine?
It will be fine as long as you drive it long enough to thoroughly heat the engine & exhaust system. Fuel in the tank goes bad if not used a lot. Condensation builds up in the tank and drips into the fuel. Something to be mindful of.
 
Have to rotate the vehicles KD! I have 3 daily drivers so I rotate which one I drive every couple of weeks. The hot rod gets started once a month and driven around the block a few times. I'm probably going to sell it someday just because I don't really need a hot rod anymore. Had it 40 years so I'm not rushing into anything.
 
I'm rebuilding the Holley.
It has been awhile since I've torn one all the way down. A few days ago I started this thread:

Can a stock fuel pump produce too much pressure?

I had two carburetors in a row that flooded over when the engine was running so I suspected the fuel pumps were making too much pressure.
I swapped in a good carburetor from another car and it ran great. The problem was in two carburetors in a row. It is strange when the symptoms mislead you.
I did pull this carburetor....

1721112589808.jpeg


...I took the bowls off to clean them out. The needles and seats were replaced along with the power valve. Once back together, it didn't flood over but it wouldn't idle. I had to hold the throttle 1/3 open to keep it running. I don't know what I could have done wrong. It didn't appear to have any external vacuum leaks. I tested it again today and it ran the same as before...no flooding but no idle. Now it is soaking in Berryman Chem Dip.
These aluminum Holleys sure weigh less than the old style die cast greenish colored carburetors.
 
This poor car sits and sits.
Don't leave it sitting too long...or before you know it there'll be a tree growing through the hood.

Don't become another one of those "Gonna fix 'er up one day" guys. Get it running and skid it up a bit every so often. :thumbsup:
 
The car itself is a sad story.
The owner was my brother in law that seemed so enthusiastic but lost interest and gave up on it.
It is a cool car to own.
 
The car itself is a sad story.
The owner was my brother in law that seemed so enthusiastic but lost interest and gave up on it.
It is a cool car to own.
I wouldn't say no to one of those....be a cool project to not get too worried about with doing stuff wrong.
 
I know that I’m not the only one like this.
Car guys will sometimes have more than one of the cars they like. I’ve seen it across all models of cars too… VW dudes that have 4 Beetles and a van, Ford guys with two Mustangs and a Torino.
We Mopar guys do it too.
This often means we have cars that sit awhile between drives.
My 72 Duster sits….

This car was bought in 2007 for my out of state brother in law when he was 22. He wanted to get into the Mopar game so I put out the feelers and found this… slant six, three on the column drum brake with a dead engine and rust. Over the next 3-4 years we (Mostly ME) swapped in a 360 from a van, 904 from a junkyard, FMJ discs, B body 8 3/4 and some new parts too.
Then, he lost interest in cars so I bought him out.
This poor car sits and sits.
It runs strong though. It will spin both tires 50 feet or more on dry pavement and handles pretty good too. The brakes are the best of any A body I’ve owned.
Still, it sits and because of that, the fuel system takes a beating.

It has the common Holley 600 4 barrel but after sitting, it gets gunked up. It looks clean because I did have it rebuilt 2 years ago but since it sat again, it drips fuel down the throat when running and pukes gas from the front vent tube.

I’ll need to go through it again. This time, I’ll do it. I’ve rebuilt Holleys before. I got lazy. I had a guy at a carb rebuilder shop do the work in trade for some parts I had that he needed. It saved me time but in the process, my skills went unused and I’m out of touch.
I need to find some of that carburetor solvent to soak these parts in. The local parts stores tell me they can’t get the good stuff here in California. I may have to go to Nevada.
What brand and type of solvent do you guys recommend?
I have a few carbs here I’d like to rebuild so I need more than a one gallon can of this stuff.

Yeah, I have other things to tend to along with a funky carburetor but one thing at a time!

Check your tank and replace your fuel filters. Just went through this with the 73 Dart. By the time the 2nd rebuild on the carb went south, I emptied the tank with the electric fuel pump. Skunk gas. Found the seal on the gas cap had split. Pulled the tank and everything was corroded and varnished up. Had to throw it all away including the sender. Rebuilt the carb for the 3rd time and all is well, however I think the fuel filter is still catching residual stuff as the fuel pressure went from 5.5 psi gradually down to 3 psi last time I checked it. Good luck with the Duster.
 
When I store something for the winter, I drain the fuel, fog the engine, and run it dry.

If it (includes all of my toys) sits between drives or uses for extended periods, I always keep a full tank of premium fuel and use stabilizer......And, I run them dry.

Works for me.
 
I know that I’m not the only one like this.
Car guys will sometimes have more than one of the cars they like. I’ve seen it across all models of cars too… VW dudes that have 4 Beetles and a van, Ford guys with two Mustangs and a Torino.
We Mopar guys do it too.
This often means we have cars that sit awhile between drives.
My 72 Duster sits….

View attachment 1716236708

This car was bought in 2007 for my out of state brother in law when he was 22. He wanted to get into the Mopar game so I put out the feelers and found this… slant six, three on the column drum brake with a dead engine and rust. Over the next 3-4 years we (Mostly ME) swapped in a 360 from a van, 904 from a junkyard, FMJ discs, B body 8 3/4 and some new parts too.
Then, he lost interest in cars so I bought him out.
This poor car sits and sits.
It runs strong though. It will spin both tires 50 feet or more on dry pavement and handles pretty good too. The brakes are the best of any A body I’ve owned.
Still, it sits and because of that, the fuel system takes a beating.

View attachment 1716236710

It has the common Holley 600 4 barrel but after sitting, it gets gunked up. It looks clean because I did have it rebuilt 2 years ago but since it sat again, it drips fuel down the throat when running and pukes gas from the front vent tube.

View attachment 1716236716

I’ll need to go through it again. This time, I’ll do it. I’ve rebuilt Holleys before. I got lazy. I had a guy at a carb rebuilder shop do the work in trade for some parts I had that he needed. It saved me time but in the process, my skills went unused and I’m out of touch.
I need to find some of that carburetor solvent to soak these parts in. The local parts stores tell me they can’t get the good stuff here in California. I may have to go to Nevada.
What brand and type of solvent do you guys recommend?
I have a few carbs here I’d like to rebuild so I need more than a one gallon can of this stuff.

View attachment 1716236721

Yeah, I have other things to tend to along with a funky carburetor but one thing at a time!

View attachment 1716236720
So drive it! The time you spend postin titties you could be drivin your car!
 
I've found that Marine Sta-Bil works better than the regular Sta-Bil. If you need me to, I will buy whatever kind of carb cleaner you need here in NC and ship it to you if it will help. Just whatever it costs and shipping. Might be cheaper than a trip to Nevada unless you're just itchin to go....lol.
 
Yes Marine Sta-Bil it is claimed by the rabid boaters.
Premium NO alcohol gas.
FI hose is way better than reg. rubber fuel hose, Costs more though!
Car needs to warm the engine and exhaust thoroughly and drive it down a real (country) road!
 
Yes Marine Sta-Bil it is claimed by the rabid boaters.
Premium NO alcohol gas.
FI hose is way better than reg. rubber fuel hose, Costs more though!
Car needs to warm the engine and exhaust thoroughly and drive it down a real (country) road!

On another level , do you guys that have multiple cars setting around /drive once in a while , have them insured ???
 
On another level , do you guys that have multiple cars setting around /drive once in a while , have them insured ???
None of my cars are worth too much. I try to keep all drivers insured at least for minimum thru Hagerty. If one is not, I warm it up completely at idle, and then run down the road about 6 miles. County road but the "bear den" is up that road at a fork about 12 miles away on way busier county.
I have 4 old cars, 3 runners, and trying to get down to just two keepers.
 
Check your tank and replace your fuel filters. Just went through this with the 73 Dart. By the time the 2nd rebuild on the carb went south, I emptied the tank with the electric fuel pump. Skunk gas. Found the seal on the gas cap had split. Pulled the tank and everything was corroded and varnished up. Had to throw it all away including the sender. Rebuilt the carb for the 3rd time and all is well, however I think the fuel filter is still catching residual stuff as the fuel pressure went from 5.5 psi gradually down to 3 psi last time I checked it. Good luck with the Duster.
The tank was new about 10 years ago. The fuel coming up to the filter is sort of amber in color. I don't know if that is from the fuel stabilizer or old skanky gas. I put 3 gallons in it last week or so. I make it a habit to put stabilizer in the tank when I put in fresh gas because I don't know how long it will be before I use it up.
Get it off the grass and onto pavement if possible. No room? maybe a gravel pad

The soil here is decomposed granite. It does not stay damp. The underside of the car is as solid as you'd expect to see from a dry climate car.

Today, I replaced the metering block with a known good spare and the car idles much better and isn't smoking from running rich.
I don't know what was wrong with the other metering block. All the passages were clear. The one in there now has new jets and a new power valve. It doesn't rev up as clean as it should so there is still something amiss inside. The spark plugs are 17 years old. The plug wires are older than that. Remember, this car was pieced together starting in 2007 using a lot of junkyard parts. I did set the timing to 10 degrees BTDC since it has a MP reproduction 340 cam. Back when I first got it running, the dude ran pretty strong.
At least now it will start and run. I can drive it and it won't buck and belch smoke.
 
The tank was new about 10 years ago. The fuel coming up to the filter is sort of amber in color. I don't know if that is from the fuel stabilizer or old skanky gas. I put 3 gallons in it last week or so. I make it a habit to put stabilizer in the tank when I put in fresh gas because I don't know how long it will be before I use it up.
You should be able to tell by smell. The gas I pumped out was amber like you see.
 
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