18 Feb 2004, 00:43, JIM HOLSONBACK (1:123/140), wrote to ALL:

Hi JIM.

 JH> It is a 1996 or so Cadillac Seville Elegante - - fun to drive but
 JH> guzzles the gas.  Has been sitting since about 1992, when I 
 JH> realized

Hmmm...  Something amiss with the dates!  Was that supposed to be a 1986 model?

Anyway, notes from Wayne and Gord are good, but...

I would remove ALL plugs, squirt in WD40, then crank a dozen or so
revolutions to wear off any 'rust rings' where the pistons were sitting in
case temperature changes may have caused the cylinders to sweat.

Then squirt in ATF oil and repeat with the plugs OUT in case there's too
much oil in any cylinder, AND it will be easier on the starter until the
brushes are loosened and the commutator cleans itself.  Don't want to break
anything and all that oil would surely foul the plugs anyway, just let it
blow back out.  

Watch for stray ignition sparks, especially since some fuel hoses may be rotted. 

If successful with the engine, and in addition to Wayne's comments on the
brake fluid, don't expect the brakes to function at first.  Rust on the
brake drums/rotors WILL prevent it from stopping properly for the first
dozen or so slow-speed soft half-stops, releasing the pedal pressure so the
loosened rust can fall out rather than scoring the rotors/drums.  It will
stop like you've just driven on a flooded road, unpredictable!

Lastly, same for the transmission clutches and bands.  With the wheels
FIRMLY blocked, engine at idle, shift through all the positions a dozen or
so times to get the transmission oil well circulated, and loosen all the
valves in the transmission.  Reverse and forward _may_ not be predictable
if any valves are stuck.


     Good luck...  M.

--- Msged/386 TE 06 (pre)