'67 Catalina - Restart after 25yrs

[exnjute]

I recently shipped my Dad's '67 Catalina 2dr Ht to Salt Lake City from NJ where it had been garaged(not run) for 25 years. It is in remarkable shape, zero rust, paint and chrome very good, interior nearly perfect. I want to put the car back on the road for weekends, car meets etc. It has a 389-2bbl.

My question is; what are the nessesary steps to take before trying to start or drive this car(or any car that's been sitting for 25 years)? So far I've pulled 6 of the 8 plugs and sprayed a good amount of Seaform lubricant on top of those 6 cylinders. I can't reach the other 2, I need to remove the AC compressor first.

Then what? Drop and clean fuel tank(boil out), blow out fuel lines?, replace brakes?, I have hard(frozen) brake pedal, I assume master cyl frozen. Carb rebuild? I think I would like to put on a 4bbl to replace the 2bbl to give it better performance. It has about 55,000 original miles.

Any help or advice would be sincerely appreciated. FYI, I am not a mechanic but have worked on cars over time and have a good amount of tools. Have never done any internal engine work. I have an Ames catalogue.

[maxwedge]

You need to start from the ground up, yes the fuel system will be an issue, possible tank clean out carb rebuild, definitely the brake system the master and all the wheel cylinders must be gone thru, all the fluids changed, prime the engine to get some oil pressure up before starting, look for cracked tires or just replace them, look for animal infestation, after that length of time there are a lot of considerations, I just went thru this with an 8,800! mile 60 Lesabre that was in storge for 28 years. The radiator was bad the water pump, 2 lifters stuck, the muffler was rusted out internally. The diff fluid had turned to jelly, the entire brake system was replaced as it had rusted up.

[exnjute]

Thanks for the reply Max. Good tips. I agree on the tires. Although all 7 (2 snows in trunk) are like new and show very little dry rot or cracking I don't think I want to trust 25-30 year old rubber on the highway a 70MPH. I'll probably just replace them. Question is do I stay with the old bias ply tires or go to radials? I've heard both schools of thought.

[maxwedge]

I like the radials, just make sure your rims are not rusted and you should have the front end lined up for at least 1 degree positive caster also.