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Yesterday my brother and I bought a '81 Deauville. This is a first owner car, she ran 93000 or 193000 KM (from '81 to '92) and is in poor/average condition. The car is stored since '92 and the engine hasn't run for 7 years, but the current owner said he drove her into the garage where she is currently stored. Next Saturday the car will be started for the first time since the 7 years storage.
My first question: Do we have to meet any requirements before starting the car, in such a way that nothing will be damaged.
Second question: Is the timing chain a real (iron) chain or is it a rubber belt? Is the timing chain a problem when the car is first started after a period of 7 years?
Thank you in advance for answering!
Original Post
Your Deauville probably has an Australian- sourced 351C engine and a real metal cam chain. 351Cs have gigantic valves which are very heavy, and a high rocker arm ratio (1.73:1). These two things combine to wear std timing chains rapidly. 30,000 miles is about all the life one can expect. A worn chain may skip a tooth on the sprocket, giving radically wrong cam timing (matter of fact, it might already have happened leading to the car being parked so long). I suggest you consider buying a replacement performance timing chain (double-row roller type) to replace the old (silent-link type). The new chain will come with 2 new sprockets, and the crank sprocket will have multiple keyways to allow custom cam timing. These are available via the internet from any speed shop. Cam chains can be accessed behind the waterpump & plate, and you will have to loosen the oil pan attach bolts to allow the front of the pan to sag down a little. The harmonic balencer will need to be pulled off with a puller that bolts to the hub. Do NOT try pulling it from the periphery or you will wreck the balencer! Trying to start the car will probably do no harm, but if it doesn't fire within a few minutes, consider a rebuild before you burn up the starter. If you are in France, there is a Pantera owner in Rouen that is familiar with these engines. Good luck!
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