I have recently obtained a 1979 Monte Carlo with the 5.0L V8 engine and I am needing some advice on what all I should do before trying to start it. So far I have though of doing the following...
-New battery
-New spark plugs and wires
-Replace all of the belts and hoses
-New air filter
-New fuel filter
-Change the oil and put a new oil filter on
-Drain the fuel and add new, clean gas with fuel system cleaner
-New tires
...what else should I do or at least look over before trying to start the car? Is anything I have listed not recommended before attempting to start it up? The previous owner said the engine and transmission were both working before it was put into storage. I have never had to start up a car that has been stored like this before. Thanks in advance for your help with this!

 

If ur gonna be driving it every day than that would be the way to go, but ur main thing is fuel battery & oil, you could prob get by with the rest but always good to change it & not have to worry about it

 

The items you mentioned are all the items I was thinking. I'd say go ahead and fire it up. Then check for leaky gaskets and seals. Congrats on getting a classic '79 back on the road. Let us know what happens!

 

When you go to crank it up dump some gas down the carve becuase more than likely the fuel system and line are dry so it will take a few times of it turning over/putting some gas down the carb to get fuel up to the carb and fill the bowls of the.carve

 

Has the motor ever been turned at all since storage? I remember the process of putting a squirt of oil in the spark plug holes and turn it by hand before cranking it.

 

What you are wanting to do is relatively easy to do. I have done this a few times. There are a few things you should do to try to make this a success without damaging the engine.
The first thing to do is to turn the crank with a breaker bar and socket to make sure the engine turns over. If it turns over move on to step two.
Step two: change the oil and filter.
Step three: disconnect the fuel line going to the gas tank at the fuel pump and plug it with a bolt and hose clamp.
Step four: loosen the distributor cap from the distributor and lay it to the side.
Step five: crank the starter for ten to fifteen seconds. Stop for about 30 seconda and repeat this procedure five or six times. The purpose for this is to force oil to the top of the engine.
Step six: put the distributor cap back on.
Step seven hook up about six feet of gas hose to the fuel pump where you unhooked the fuel tank hose. Put the other end of the gas hose in a one gallon gas can full of gas.
Step eight: make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy just in case.
Step nine: crank the starter and pump the throttle. If everything else is good it should start within a minute or so. If it doesn't start you might spray some starter fluid in the carb.
If it doesn't start check to make sure that you have spark coming from the distributor.
Once it has started if everything sounds good now would be a good time to change everything on your list and hook the fuel pump back to the gas tank. I would also recommend adding a see thru fuel filter close to the carb so that you can see what is going on with the fuel.
Now would be a good time to pull the wheels and check the brakes including the wheel cylinders, brake hoses, calipers and master cylinder. Change out the brake fluid because after sitting for ten years there will be moisture in the break fluid and also change the transmission fluid and filter. If everything else looks good you are now ready for the first test drive. I hope you find this helpful. Gregg

 

Ten years is a long time for a vehicle to sit. If it hasn't been touched at all I would check the brake system out completely. Stuck calipers and rotted lines are common on stored cars.

 

You gotta start it before you can brake it

Seems like you are on the right track. I hope it starts with ease!