Introduction

[Paranoid_Flake]

Hello everyone!

I'm Laurens, 22 years old and I live in Netherlands. I'm new to this forum and would like to introduce myself. Please correct my English if make mistakes
I also don't always know the correct translation for technical terms so please help me out .

Me and my brother are planning to repair an old R4 TL 1986. The car hasn't been running for like 8 years. It was stationed in a garage which didn't have a garage door. This was probably the reason why the front wheels were completely stuck (rust). We managed to get both wheels free so we could move the R4 from the old garage.
The chassis is in fair condition, no major rust spots only paint starting to come off.

Changes from the orginal (not done by me but by my dad years ago).

• Electronic ignition
• Copper breaklines

The list of things that need repair/replacement (so far ).

1. All breakpads / cylinders needs replacement (so the inside of the drums).
2. The exhaust from front to the end
3. The car battery holder
4. Maybe the radiator (haven't tested it yet but it looks damaged)
5. My dad says that one cylinder loses compression (maybe a cylinder seal?)
6. Rear left exterior has a rust spot.

Modifications planned:

• Replace the exhaust system with one from an other car
• Radiator fan --> electric radiator fan

First thing that needs to be done is to get the engine running again. I don't want to just start engine with chance of damaging the internals, and hear afterwards what stupid mistakes I made xD.

So I hope I could get some tips on doing a first start since 8 years.

Best regards,

Laurens

 

[malcolm]

Welcome Lauren.

I've just started up an engine for the first time in 10 years. For that I checked the oil level, removed the spark plugs and turned the engine over until oil pressure built up.

Then I checked the cooling system. It wouldn't bleed and I found a lot of corrosion in the water pump and the heater circuit was blocked. I replaced the waterpump, then bled the system.

That should be enough to prevent damage to the engine apart from if some piston rings are stuck to the pistons. You can do a compression check to find out, but fixing them is much the same effort as rebuilding the engine.

Then just be careful when the car is started. Make sure the thermostat opens and the car doesn't lose water.