OK to drive a car that's been sitting?

[Chad T]

It's a GLHS. Not a GLHt. I said it was a Turbo in the first post to kind of keep it under the radar until I can get it home but then I realized that a clean turbo is more of a find than a clean S. It's just a plain old GLHS.

[EvilcowRoland]

Wait, what? The GLHS is the rare find. They are numbered cars built by Shelby, turbo'd and intercooled, dash plaque, etc. GLH-t's are just T1 cars (still cool though). Check it out. The Dodge Omni GLH, Dodge Omni GLHS, and Dodge Charger GLH-S

[Chad T]

Oh I know. The GLHS is the top Omni. I've wanted one since 1986 when they came out. I was just saying you don't seem to see as many GLH Turbos that are still in good condition.

[moparfwdsleeper]

Replace the fuel lines BEFORE you drive it... And use the right clamps(hose clamps are a no no, tear into the line and weaken it).

Trust me, 87 CSX #674 went from Driving to blazing and now sits awaiting its rebirth.

Before...


Took me 2years to build this(2.2TII and a 91 A568)


After...


My two years worth of work...


I vote on renting the truck and trailer. Could be cheaper in the end

[roachjuice]

+1 ^^^ i've seen the car and it's not easy to look at. kinda depressing to see all that work and 3 days driving it. (sorry clayton)

[Chad T]

Ouch!! Aren't the lines some sort of snap-lock deal? Should probably keep it OEM since it's a Shelby. I'll definitely put that on the list.

I just reserved a truck and dolly from Budget for $287. Not too bad. Uhaul was $500+ and only 480 miles which I'll be way over.

Sorry about your car. That's a bummer for sure.

[Lone Eagle]

If the car has been sitting for this long, go ahead and replace ALL the rubber parts, including seals. The tires are a gimme, as they had a report on 48 hrs. awhile back about shops selling outdated tires as new. They recommend replacing the tires every 6 years now as a result of their findings. The rubber biodegrades, and can still look like new, then BAM!!

I had a '85 Caravelle 2.2L/a413 NA I bought that had been sitting in a garage for 8 years, and was run occasionally. Before the first 6 months was over, I ended up using an entire gasket set(engine and trans), new belts, new tires, new axle boots, new radiator, new shocks/struts, new HEP, new map, new hoses, and a new water pump. Sitting can be harder on a car than romping it daily in some cases.

I wouldn't drive it too much until you can check the car with a fine-tooth comb. In the long run, it'll be worth it. Plus, you get a chance to learn all about your new "baby"...lol.

[Chad T]

The tires on this car look brand new too. Pretty sure they're close to 10 yrs old though.



Sounds like pulling it back is a good idea. So do the tires degrade even if they're not out in the sun? Probably get real hard and slick even if they're not cracked.

[EvilcowRoland]

Oh ok. The way you said it was "just" an S made me wonder if you were being serious. Sarcasm is hard to translate onto the internet I guess.

So that's a pic of the actual car? Wow that looks really clean. The tires may still be okay if the car's been kept in a climate controlled garage all this time. Would I want to use them on the road? Probably not. But if you're using a front-end dolly then they'll probably be okay to be towed home. Just check for any cracking on the sidewalls and any signs of buldging or recesses anywhere. You could always take a couple spare wheels and tires with you and swap them out just for the trip home.

[Chad T]

Yeah that's the car. Trying to not talk it up too much until I get it home. I've got like 60+ pics of it. It's nice. I'll just take some short trips in it at first and get the fuel hoses, axle boot etc done. I think those tires are only about 7 yrs old and they probably only have 1500 miles at the very most on them. I don't think Pirelli even makes those anymore.