Classic/Antique Car Repair: re starting antique car, compression gauge, piston engines

Question
I know you did not list Packards but my questin is not specifically abotu Packards. I just bought a 1941 Pacard 110 COupe. It hasnt ru in about 25 years, but I think was just kep in a garage. Regarding spark plugs, gas tank, brake fluiid, what do I need ot do to give it a try at getting safely started? Including any risks of wrong electrical curretn for abtteries based on perhaps an older sytem in place inteh 40s?

Answer
Hi Charles,
Your right that this question could be answered by most mechanics even if they have no Packard experience. I have none but I would follow a few precautions.
Locate the main power supply at or close to the battery and install a master switch (So the whole system can be shut down if you let the smoke out of the wires when trying to start) I would drain all the fluids, Coolant, engine oil, trans. oil, differential oil, gas and brake fluid. Install an in-line fuel filter and change the oil filter. Replace all of the fluids with new and bleed the brakes.
Install a new or known good battery. Remove all the plugs and either clean them or buy new ones. Pull the coil wire out of the distributor and ground it. Squirt a little Marvil Mystery Oil in the plug holes. Diesel fuel, Kerosene or even WD-40 works well too. Use the starter to spin the engine for a good five minutes checking to see that the starter motor does not get too hot. If everything seems to be OK up to this point, Get a compression gauge and do a compression test. (most piston engines need at least 100 PSI to run.) If this engine has an oil pump you should check to see what the oil pressure is before you try to start. Take the fuel line off of the carburetor and attach a rubber to the fuel line and while you are test spinning the engine let it pump fuel into a can. If it has been that long ago since it ran you may have to overhaul the carburetor. Or at least clean it out. By spinning the engine with the plugs out, You can tell if the fuel pump is working. Connect the coil wire back to the distributor and plug the plug wires onto the new plugs and spin the starter If everything is OK to this point you can put the plugs on to each wire and lay the plug so the case is in-contact with the engine. As the starter is spinning you should see a good spark on all of the plugs. If everything is OK up to this point you can spin the engine over to be sure you fill the carburetor. Put the plugs back in. Keep a fire extinguisher ready and if it won't start get a can of WD-40 or staring fluid and spray some into the carb intake while someone else operates the starter. If everything has checked out good to this point, The engine must start. All engines require "Compression, Fire & Fuel" Compression must be over or close to 100 PSI, You should have a spark (fire) with a good blue spark at close to the correct time. And you must have fuel available to each combustion chamber. If all that is correct, It must start.

I hope this helps.

HMF