opinons on first start in 18 years

I am just about ready to fire up my 71 that has been sitting in a barn for 18 years.
I pulled and flushed the oil tank, changed all the oil tank lines, and pulled the engine plug. Got about 3 quarts of 18 year old oil out and it actually looked pretty good. Pulled the carbs and cleaned the main jets and float bowls. New plugs, flushed the tank. I am just about set. Do I need to prime the oil system after sitting this long?
Will kicking the motor over with the plugs out be enough or will this cause damage due to a dry upper end.
Thoughts?
Thanks in advance.
MikeM

You could remove the in and out valve covers and squirt some oil around the rockers and let it drizzle down to the cam. Make sure you have enough oil in the tank, don't over fill it to start with, and let it sit overnight, it should only take 6 US pints total. That should get oil into the pump and down into the sump. Just make sure it all doesn't drain out of the tank. If it does, remove the sump and pour it back in the tank. There still won't be oil in the crank or rods, but it should get there real quick if the pump is OK and there is oil in the tank and pump.

I'm sure others will have opinions.

I hope you're not using corned gas in that nice yellow f/g tank and you cleaned the carbs and adjusted them with the Bushman method.

Good luck, let us know how it works out.

Dave
69S

I'd be most concerned with the pilot jet. Make sure those are good and clean.

DogT said:

I hope you're not using corned gas in that nice yellow f/g tank and you cleaned the carbs and adjusted them with the Bushman method.
Dave
69S

Click to expand...

OK Dave,
I am not familiar with the Bushman method and google search turned up the entry below. So, how does one apply this method to carb adjustment?

BUSHMAN’S METHOD
Early settlers and bushmen often gained a rough estimate of south by remembering that kangaroos rested in areas of shade during the heat of the day. They were constantly aware of signs of disturbed earth where the kangaroos scooped out a hollow in the shade of lowbushes. As we are in the southern hemisphere the shade areas were always on the southern side of the bushes.
NOTE:
This method is still applicable and may provide an easy method of directionfinding in some areas

Kangaroo's may be able to do it. I should have been more specific. Browse this guys pages, there's a lot of good information there on the Amal carbys. http://www.jba.bc.ca/Bushmans%20Carb%20Tuning.html

Dave
69S

Kangaroos and Nortons...
That's where the term " Hop on your bike and go for a ride" must have come from...
he he he .