[arbiepilot]

I just inherited a 94 GT convertible with 59,000 miles that has sat in a garage for over three years. There is air in the tires, the battery is dead and nobody has started it for three years.

When I have it towed to the garage, what are the first things I need to have done to get it running? Drain the gas and flush the lines? Same for the brake lines? I've tried a search here but could not find anything. Your help for a newbie would be appreciated. Thanks.

[4.6Power]

I would also drain all the old fluids like coolant, engine oil, transmission fluid(if its an auto obviously), power steering fluid, etc. Put all new fluids in that 5.0 and I would also change the spark plugs and possibly wires and altenator basically do a tune up. Then one more thing to watch out for I know this sounds crazy but check the exhaust piping as the car as sat for so long squirrels or rats may have nested in there and left acorns and such. I may have missed something if I did im sure someone else will chime in... Have fun in that 5.0!!!

[1mach1]

That about covers it. Congrats, good luck, and welcome to the site!!!!

[Jay H 237]

I want to add that you may feel flat spots on the tires as you start driving it. Sometimes they go away after awhile and other times they don't. In that case tire replacement is the only option.

[Rejoin the Herd]

After changing all fluids, I would remove all the spark plugs and squirt fogging oil in each cylinder. Then turn the engine over several times with the spark plugs out. This will help if there is any rust in the cylinders and pre oil the rings. Also spinning the engine over with the plugs out will pre oil the bearings, cam, lifters etc.

[wayne94mustang]

i just drove my 94gt after a 3 year storage....well 2 months shy of 3 years.

i did start it up maybe 4 times in the 3 years and i changed the fluids before it sat. all i did was throw a new battery in it and my new rebuilt tranny and away i went.

on a car i didnt own or know the history on i would drain every fluid it has like what was said above and maybe throw new plugs in it since with only 50k miles they are probaly the factory 1994 plugs....and a cap and rotor too

[arbiepilot]

Thanks. Sounds like replace all the fluids and put in new plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. If anyone thinks of anything else, please let me know. I guess I'm gonna be a Mustang Man...

[EagleAutosports]

That's about it, good luck with it.

[wayne94mustang]

oh....and dont forget a new fuel filter

i think they should be replaced at every tune up at least.....it seems most guys forget this and lean out #8 cly

[RCRacer94gt]

Change:
Engine oil(synthetic) & filter
Transmission oil(synthetic) & filter
Gear oil(synthetic) in your differential
Radiator fluid and new 180 thermostat
Power steering fluid
Brake pads and fluid
Spark plugs to Autolite 25(copper)
9mm spark plug wires
MSD Cap & Rotor
Gas and fuel filter
Might want to change your Harmonic balancer(optional at the moment)
Timing should be 10(stock) bump up to 13-14 if pinging in engine at WOT decrease timing

Clean:
Mass air flow sensor
Throttle body
O2 Sensors(only 2 for 94-95)

Get:
K&N Performance air filter(its a must) or Cold air intake.(I got the 13hp K&N)

Performance:
Under-drive Pulleys
o/r X or H-Pipe if its legal in your state
Headers
Hi-Flow Mufflers
3.37 rear gears for Differential
Cylinder Heads
Camshaft
Upper and Lower Intake Manifold
Bigger MAF and Throttle Body and Injectors
MSD Coil Blaster
TUNE CHIP(last)

I'm sure i missed something.

Join the Herd!!! CONGRATS for the free wipe.

[arbiepilot]

Thanks to everyone who responded. Thought I would let you know how things turned out. Here's what was done:

Replaced all fluids including coolant, oil, trans fluid (manual), brake fluid, power steering fluid. Flushed radiator, brake lines, power steering, and fuel lines. There was little or no gas in the tank so a can of cleaner and a 1/3 tank of Shell premium did the trick.

Replaced plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, air filter and cleaned the MAF and O2 sensors. With a dead battery, I put a brand new one in.

It started right up. A test drive revealed warped front rotors so those were replaced along with new pads. Rear ones were in good shape as was the emergency brake and cable. Kept blowing fuses for power seat and discovered a penny lodged in cigarette lighter receptacle - no cigarette lighter so anything could simply fall in there and short it out. I got a billet plug and it won't happen again.

I then pulled out the air box silencer. Should have put a new K&N air filter but didn't think of it when I was replacing things.

The tires have 35,000 spring/summer/fall miles on them and were a little flat spotted but three days and 100 miles put them back into round. The convertible top had dried-on bird "stuff" but 1/2 a container of vinyl cleaner took care of that and make the top look like NEW!

Results: Runs like a dream, absolutely no performance issues. Only
problem I discovered - by accident - is the volume rocker switch on the radio will not reduce volume. Was driving and turned up the sound only to discover it wouldn't reduce when I needed to hear. Thankfully it is only stuck at 1/2 volume. Next: take out the 25 lb. weight, add a 75mm Pro-M MAF, and a cold air system. Any ideas on what else to do to a 94 GT Convertible?

[influenze]

congrats on the ride and welcome to the site. One more thing, post some pics of the pony.

[wayne94mustang]

glad it runs for you!

i never had a stock radio but i hear they are junk, i'd just get what ever aftermarket head unit you like and then you'll be good for tunes.