Irocman82

Hello all!
Thank you for letting me join. I look forward to sharing any knowledge or experience I have with anyone that would benefit .

I am starting to bring my 86 Z28 out of storage after 30 years. It was the girlfriend, now wife and I's cruiser in the late 80's. It was a 305 TPI that was pretty fast in the mid 80's, well, compared to the late 70's 2nd gens.

The wife and I got married in 1991 and in 92 along comes the first boy. Not wanting to quit hot rodding just yet, I put a 406 in it and the late Myron Cottrell's company TPI specialties in MN did the computer stuff and recommended the cam, solid lifters, roller rockers, 5.7 rods, headers, exhaust and 10,1 compression. It ran good on pump gas with a best of 12.38 in the 1/4. Not sure how the current gas will work in it.

I pulled the tank and it looks new inside, but I'm replacing the pump and the fuel lines, the fuel lines would probably be alright, but I don't want any question of reliability.

I plan on pulling the injectors and fuel rails to be sure there is nothing in the system and probably put new injectors in. I'm going to pull the valve covers and check to make sure there is no surface rust anywhere before I even turn the engine over.
1 thing that concerned me is I pulled the oil plug and the oil was like 90 weight, it seemed to get thinner, but I drained less than 4 Oz.

What do you all think about replacing the struts, shocks, control arm and sway bar bushings? It has about 60,000 miles on it.

Thank you All!

BBCSwap

I would leave those alone unless there is a problem with it. You might want to go threw the brakes, rebuild the calipers, new rubber hoses, change the fluid.

Irocman82

BBCSwap Thanks for the advise, All of the rubber in the control arms trailing ect is tight I'm going to either rebuild or replace the calipers and just see if the bushings stay tight or need replaced after a few rides

Vader

If you have the J65 brake option, check the park brake actuator screws for freedom of movement. Don't be afraid to add a little antiseize compound to the lubricant for those screws. I do not regret doing that on my '86 a couple decades ago.

Double

Glad to hear you'll be getting it back on the road after all these years. Sounds like a healthy motor too. Post a few pics if you get a chance.

Fords88Bird

Thats a long time stored. At least u didnt sell it to regret it and get to enjoy it again.

Irocman82

Fords88Bird, I am so thankful I was able to keep it while we raised our kids! Sold some chargers, dusters, and gto's I wish I had back. A lot of people are not that fortunate. I'm getting ready to retire and play with my cars! lol

Irocman82

Thanks Double, looking forward to getting it back out. I have 1 pic after I washed it out of storage, unfortunately the lacquer clear did not hold up well at all

. I have the rear out, working on the fuel lines, and calipers now.

Irocman82

Sounds good, I'm going through most anything that could give me trouble, don't want to be that guy sitting along the road.

19eighty4_z28

You have an amazing canvass to work with there. I’m in the same boat with my ‘84 Z28. My dad bought it new, my car in high school…back in late 90’s. Long story short but it sat in a garage untouched for 24 years while I was in the military. Last fall I went to get it and started its resurrection from the dead. Not sure how the guts held up on yours but almost EVERYTHING rubber was dry rotted. PM me sometime and I can give you some pointers as to things I found/replaced. Fair warning it was a lot and not cheap but I’d be happy to share. Until then, you got a great car.