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1972 Cadillac Deville: how to start it up after years of sitting?
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Akcastillo
New User
Nov 8, 2015, 9:20 PM
Post #1 of 4
(2436 views)
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1972 Cadillac Deville: how to start it up after years of sitting?
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Hi everyone. I just bought a '72 Deville--7.7L V8 w/ 43k original miles.
It hasn't been started in a few years but the engine turns over, there's still a 1/8 tank of gas and no leaks. I've gathered a lot of info from the Internet and have a general idea of what it'll take to get started but I'd like some opinions on what to replace.
-I just replaced the battery
-Spark plugs are no good (tested them) so I'm going to replace the plugs&wiring
-when I turn the engine over the carb does get gas
Once I can start the engine up I'll flush out the fuel system (drop the tank and clean it out, clean out fuel lines, and maybe use red-kote if the fuel tank looks like it needs it). And also do a full oil change
My question: what parts should I replace regardless of whether the engine starts up? I'm thinking a new ignition coil, distributor cap&rotor- or should I only replace these if they're faulty?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 8, 2015, 10:55 PM
Post #2 of 4
(2430 views)
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Re: 1972 Cadillac Deville: how to start it up after years of sitting?
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What's the overall condition of this car and how stored? Why are you so worried about ignition parts they should be just as they were left - fuel wont be but might burn off or not. Fuel tank doesn't need to be coated inside unless impossibly rusted nor cleaned out all depending.
What will probably happen is once run and warmed up and driven the issue will show themselves. Watch out for brakes on first drive anywhere!
Change oil after it's been warmed up and let it tell you what it's going to need and will most likely. #1 IMO and experience in ancient stuff is anything sealed by rubber and gaskets, hoses are highly subject to fail/leak from lack of use.
Car wasn't meant for fuel with ethanol in it which is hard on all fuel rubber parts and gaskets.
They called this a 501 engine but it's a 472 C.I.D. Cadillac engine. One of the best and possibly the last best year only began in 1968 models.
Not to disappoint but expect a long list of things that will leak and rubber parts that won't like moving with ordinary use or changes in temps from running.
Go for it if you have some time and willing to toss lots of common mostly easy stuff. Try not to freak over the carb as the right parts and person can make those run perfectly but takes time. Last of the non total gas hog Caddys, higher compression the 1/3 more power then a 1973 model was detuned and a wild pig.
Been a while but parts for now interesting American land yachts should be available still.
Good luck. It doesn't but I'd think about putting a drain plug in the gas tank on this about now and newer but one of my own - into this type of sometime frustrating vehicle since forever. Fav was the 1967 body mostly and not the pig the name would suggest comparatively,
T
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 9, 2015, 4:03 AM
Post #4 of 4
(2419 views)
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Re: 1972 Cadillac Deville: how to start it up after years of sitting?
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You would guess I love this exact model year HT. Can't recall if carb floats are brass or the composite. Rebuild kits do NOT include pull-offs and are expensive.
No plugs to remove to totally clean carb on this but as fussy to follow exact adjustments as they always were. Few were right new and fewer knew or had funky tools to adjust them.
Note, fuel was a lot heavier for this car than now so float level just might need to be witnessed to get right and you can do that - trouble will be finding who has all the stuff and know how now.
Said - MOST weren't correct when new for warm ups and pull offs mostly then ran great warmed up just a sewing machine full of parts and adjustments so WARNING the very expensive new ones still should be available still need adjustments specific to the car when all else is fine.
FYI - This was best of the last because GM didn't even paint back side of body metal the very next model year which was a nightmare even if not very subject to rust. Should also be last high compression engine looks same as next model year but detuned by camshaft to under 200HP for the size of them embarrassing, T
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