5 Years asleep, I want to start my Escort

[quickrack]

Its been at least 5 years since I fired it.

Its a Pushrod Kent Crossflow 1700cc with a 285 cam.

I only ever use VR1 20w/50 

Plan is to remove the sparkplugs/fit new battery.

Put a little oil down the plug holes, a couple of days before.

Cranking till the oil pressure arrives.

Fresh petrol connected to pump.

Attempt start.

Keep it at a steady 2kish rpm for as long as it takes to warm up and burn off the oil.

Any practical advise?

PS its been dry stored, drained of coolant etc the entire time.

Thanks.

 

[BaileyMex]

Fingers crossed it comes back to life with ease mate

You'd probably do/check these as well, but does the engine still turn freely by hand?
HT leads, rotor arm and dizzy all looking good?
Oil still look ok and up to level?

Probably obvious I guess

Keep us posted

[quickrack]

On 07/02/2025 at 10:24, BaileyMex said:

Fingers crossed it comes back to life with ease mate

You'd probably do/check these as well, but does the engine still turn freely by hand?
HT leads, rotor arm and dizzy all looking good?
Oil still look ok and up to level?

Probably obvious I guess

Keep us posted

Since I posted I discovered a slow weep out of the water jacket that has rotted a hole in the 4 branch. I can fix that easily and I intend to fit a bigger bore exhaust manifold anyway.

Otherwise things looks good. I need to buy it a new battery.

However.

I also own a '97 Escort estate which failed its test on basically the entire front end and 2 rot holes starting in the sills.

So I needed to buy it lower, outer ball joints as they had damaged covers and it ruined the joint, plus discs, pads, droplinks, short side driveshaft, both cv covers and a full service package. Its all fitted now except the passenger lower ball joint. Cos I broke the bolt. I've a new old one gotten. It will also be welded and back on its wheels by mid-week. He said hopefully!

I also own an '03 Mini One. Its alternator decided to sieze! More work/time/money etc....sigh.

But now I'm skint so the battery has to wait.

I will prevail...

I came across this sad sight. It only has a low comp pinto in it that was never drained and is actually full to the filler neck

[quickrack]

Oh I forgot.

It needed 2 coil springs as well.🙃

[BaileyMex]

Bloody money pit cars, why do we do it hey!!