Reviving Pickups Sitting for 23 Years!

I would probably undo each spark plug and add some MMO on top of the piston and let it sit to free up the rings.  Drain the oil and see  it comes out thick with sludge. If it comes out thick I would remove the oil pan and clean it out including the oil pick up tube.  If there is any solids its going to block the galleries and ruin bearings.  

Next I would hand turn the motor to see if the rings are frozen. If so more MMO. 

I would remove the fuel filter and disconnect the fuel lines. If and when you decide to start it I would spray the intake with  a little starter fluid to see if you can get it to ignite and stumble.  Next I would get all new fuel injectors and inspect the fuel lines.  Lots of work to be done before you are in the clear. 

@dev Thanks Dev! Yes, my guess is the fuel system is the biggest stumbling block. These trucks have been serviced well EXCEPT for the last 23 years!

The fuel system will have to be drained and inspected at minimum. I remember leaving a motorcycle from the 90s sitting in storage for two years when I was overseas only to find the carbs gummed up that it required them to be pulled and completely disassembled. It was a real pain to clean out. 

I blew out the line and removed the gas tank. The old gas just poured out of the tank. I rinsed it out, truck started and runs great with no new components! NOT the expected outcome!

Thats amazing. Congrats. 

@dev It may be because of the Staybil that my dad used in all of his gas. All I know is that he used that in all of his cars & trucks. Food for thought, certainly not proof.

 I let my car sit for almost 3 years with Stable in it.  They say its only good for a year I think but my car started but ran bad. After some dryer additive and fresh gas it was fine. 

I had an 88 K series back in the day. I loved the truck. It suffered from the wobbly rag joint in the steering shaft. There are better solutions for fixing it today than there were back then.

I miss that old truck.

LMC Truck will become a really good friend of yours.

@wilcomr-s I just did the same with my 1987 Silverado 5.7 L. It also was sitting in a barn for 23 years. It runs GREAT but was a bit more effort because it has two tanks. My dad evidently had a great idea with the Stabil but I am amazed that both trucks revived without a hitch. Sometimes you win!

@wilcomr-s I would love to have an 88 K Series now!

Never thought I would see a Delorean I would actually be impressed with. The work done was very good.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1981-delorean-dmc-12-64/?utm_source=dm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2021-11-09