Hi all, just quickly checking in and saying hi. I've picked up a WS6 that's been in the family and in a garage but essentially unrun for about the past 5 or 6 years. I've already identified a few 'must fix' things like the spongy and bulging radiator hoses (and ancient tires). I'm hoping to get away without having to chase mess through the entire fuel system but I will probably at least do a pump replacement when I have the cooling in better shape.

Any thoughts welcome, in the mean time, a quick shot of where we're starting on this. It's been decently protected, but rarely used.

 

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Lookin' good. Definitely do the entire fuel system... new pump, new filter, injectors professionally cleaned. The ethanol laced fuel creates a mess. Beyond that, unless you have good service records, the basics - extracted from a detailed list I've posted on other sites:
- oil/filter change
- trans fluid (if auto)
- coolant
- brake fluid if never changed
- trans filter (auto only)
- air filter
- PCV valve
- check plugs and wires
- scan PCM for codes
- have battery checked
- inspect brake pads/rotors
- windshield wiper blades
- check for signs of wheel alignment problems
- vacuum lines

If you don't have a factory service manual, free download of the 1996 manual (97 should be 99% identical)

https://www.mediafire.com/?40mfgeoe4ctti

 

Thanks - I appreciate it. Those are great ideas, I'll put them on my list of to-do's. I've had to run through a similar set on the '99 c2500 that's in the signature so I know this can be a process.

General thought on this appreciated too: the tank is 3/4 full. What additional damage am I looking at if I try and run the LT1 for awhile just to lessen the amount of old gas in there before I drop the tank and take care of it? Normally I'd toss the old gas into some gas guzzling beast like my c2500 that will clear it through really fast ... but in this case, I'm not sure I want it in there either.

 

The ethanol fuel traps water and corrodes metals. Could be a bit of sludge in bottom of tank. Could plug the sock on the pump suction, plug fuel filter, build up sludge in lines, plug the injectors.

Try siphoning the fuel out of the tank. Cheap hand activated pump from Harbor Freight will work. I was able to do it on my 94. Alternatively, disconnect inlet line to fuel filter, direct flow into a gas can, activate the pump. Recommend you do that outdoors, with a fire extinguisher handy.

 

Okay, thanks all. I'll just plan to do the fuel pump at the same time as the cooling system and then try to bring it all back up at the same time. Sounds like running it as little as possible before a fuel tank cleaning and pump and filter replacement is a good way to go. I'll thin out the gas I remove from the tank and feed it to the 454 in the 'burb. I did the math, it's got a big enough tank to thin out about 5gal at a time, should be all right.

I'll keep on collecting parts and post some progress as we go.