restoring 1973 old cutlass

[rich 502]

Well I Got It Started Just Had To Replace The Fuel Pump And It Cranked Fight Over. The Next Project Is To Unstick The Right Front Brake Which I Have To Replace Both Left And Right Brake Calipers And Eventially The Booster. Then Work On Getting It Painted, Tires And Finding Rally Wheels Or New Rims.

[ragz442]

Welcome to the site! I'd check the rubber fuel lines back by the tank too, they like to deteriorate over time. As for parts, you see that stuff on ebay alot.

[rich 502]

thanks i am also replacing the fuel filter in the carb with on inline with line going to carb.

[bigredddaddy]

My car sat for a few years too and the fuel lines were rusted through at the points where the clips held them to the frame. I had to run new rubber line on both lines from the tank to the front. Not a exspensive fix but a bit of a chore. Hope your luckier but it's worth a look. Mine also sat outside and I had the carb rebuilt too. Runs great now!

[texxas8902]

i was given an 1973 old cutlass that had been garaged for over 20 yrs. first thing i have done is repalce battery and plugs. i cranked but would not turn over not getting gas to carb. going to replace fuel pump next i am going to need some interior parts later any idea where to find them also need new rally wheel caps. i has the origianal am radio.

You say you cranked but would not turn over, do you mean the motor is stuck? It turns over just doesn't fire, right? If it's not stuck, dump a little gas or spray some starting fluid and see if it sputters a little. If it does then I'd replace the pump and ALL the rubber lines and clean the tank before you suck the garbage in the tank into the new pump. New fuel pick up sock filter too. You can run the new pump off a gallon gas can to see if the motor will be any good before you spend all the time replacing fuel lines and cleaning the tank out. After 20 years that carb will need a kit too.
Seems like most of my cars are brought back from long periods of sitting. when I get them. I have a bit of experience bringing long dead cars back to life. If the motor is stuck squirt some Marvel Mystery Oil in all the spark plug holes and let it sit a couple of days, then try to break it loose with a breaker bar. It has worked for me more than once. Good luck.

[ragz442]

If it has not ran in many years, by all means, do what texx says. I've brought a few back from the dead, everything he said is spot on. The fuel will turn to varnish, an unmistakable odor for sure.

[73431Cutlass]

I would not chop up the fuel line for a filter, just replace the filter in the carb. Those stock lines are hard to come by nowadays and hard to rebend a new one. Just my 2 cents. On all my cars the lines in the tank were dry rotted and sucked air. I would also check the distributor for corosion. Freshen up the cap and rotor contacts with a nail file just to see if that might help before spending the cash and find it wasnt the issue. All the other pointers from the other guys as well too. Out of all the cars brought back only one didnt make it..... The last one I did sat for 14 yrs in a back yard that was so damp and soggy everything had rust on it, just lubed the cylinders and cleaned the distributor and fresh gas from a car and boom, she fired right up! Good Luck. Good to see another 73 get back on her feet.....