Best way to get Engine going, Hasn't run in 24 Years

[Turbobill80]

Just drained my 89 TTA's oil and squirted ATF into the cylinders after 24 years of storage. Should I prime it with break in oil and use a new filter before starting and run it for about 30 minutes? Or should I use a little diesel with dino oil with a new filter and spin the oil pump for a while to clean the engine. Then replace the fluids and filter and add synthetic oil? What do you think? Maybe there is a better way, please let me know.

 

[DynoDave]

A fun project, bringing a dormant car back to life!

I'd certainly change the oil and filter first, then prime it. I would not think that you would need break in oil. Std. engine oil will do just fine. But do prime it. I'm not familiar with the 3.8 enough to know, but some engines you have to turn the crank to align the oil feed holes in the cam/bearings to feed the top end. I'd try to determine if that is necessary with the 3.8 or not, so that you do a thorough job of it.

You've already cleaned out the fuel system in prep for starting?

 

[Turbobill80]

Thanks for your reply. I'll just add new oil and filter, then prime the engine with the oil pump. If I pull the valve cover on the passenger side the oil getting to the rocker arms should visible. After that I should be able to spin the engine for a few seconds. I have a black box coming to help set the cam sensor afterward. Before I start and run it I'll pull the oil inlet line to the turbo to insure oil is getting to that location. I added three gallons of premium gas and six ounces of Sea Foam to condition the system. I'll add a new fuel filter after I have cycled most of the old fuel out. I'll probably purge the fuel line at the fuel rail before I try to start the engine. After things are running for a bit I'll change out the new oil filter. Then on to flushing the brakes and checking out the transmission.