jenae

Hi, I have a car that is garaged it has not been started in 4 years (long story, not prison related ) What do you suggest we check before turning the key. The car is a Factory Hand built 86 TRD Celica (only one other of this type in Australia and Toyota have it.)

manic

I would drain the gas out of it. Change fuel filters. Get some atf and
squirt in the cylinders. Manually turn the motor over after squirting
atf. Probably change tires, dry rot..Change oil after manually turning
engine over. Spray the carb with carb cleaner...Its just hard to say
what all you need to do, Im sure the battery will be dead. I would
dump the fuel, because it has to be bad after 4 years, and you dont
want to run that varnish and crap through the system, once it gets
in there is hell to get out, so dont even introduce it, just dump it
all and replace the filters.

jenae

Hi, thanks for your response, I have not been back to this project in awhile so apologies for the delay in answering. I will have it trailered to a workshop.This car handles better than any I have owned and unlike most 2 litre high revers produces 240 n torque at 2800 up to 300 at 5800 -7800. Makes it really great to drive and it is normally aspirated.

skyjd

manic has very good tips, and I credit him for allowing me to elaborate on your/his post.
But since you are taking ( Charger, Betsy or insert name here______ ) to a shop...

Have the Bloke go over the Body, Electrical, Fuel, and Drivetrain systems.

Body:
Lube, replace, repair as necessary; Rust, Frame, Hinges, Glass, Interior fabric.

Electrical:
Check and Replace as necessary; Battery, Wiring, Engine sensors, Distributor system components, i.e. rotor, stator, cap, plug wires, plugs. Fans, Lights-Bulbs

Fuel:
Check and Clean or Replace as necessary;
Every part of fuel system. From tank to carburetor/Fuel injection. Includes fuel lines, rails, pump, and tank pick-up.

Some parts contain automotive rubbers that can deteriorate over time.
i.e. Pump/Injector's.

Varnish will be through-out the system.

Drivetrain:
Have engine block and radiator cleaned, flushed, and refilled.
Check and Replace as necessary;
Hoses, belts, Timing chain belt

Check and Replace as necessary;
Tires,
U-Joints (between tranny, and rear-end differential),
Fluids in the tranny, and diff.
Wheel bearings and grease.

Do not be surprised if some gaskets/seals start to leak, it will be because of dry-rot.
Synthetic oils will tend to suppress this effect.

I do not mean to scare you, but to restore a vehicle after four years can be a daunting task.
My hat is off to you!
Let us know how it is going, and we can have a Foster's....

Steve