Just bought a 79 Lebaron wagon. It caused a bit of a fight with the old lady but I couldnt pass it up. There are only 8,000 original miles on it and it has sat in a garage since 83! Havn't got to drive it yet but after a few sprays of starting fluid she fired right up. I wonder if anyone has any suggestions on what to do or what to check on a car that has sat for so long. I figure I'll have to change every fluid in it starting with the fuel. The front brakes appear to be stuck. Any suggestions would be appriciated. Thanks, Ryan

 

The stuck brakes are probably frozen calipers, which should not be a surprise. Getting them off may be a b***h if you can't get them to retract with a big C-clamp. Another possible cause for stuck brakesis bad hoses. Be sure to flush the brake fluid when you pull the system apart. You'll probably want to turn the rotors and drums and re-lube the parking brake too.
For sure you'll want to flush and change the transmission fluid and coolant. They are likely to be pretty nasty. R-12 for the A/C system is getting hard to come by, but there are conversion kits out now that solve that problem.

Sounds like a fun project. Send some pics.

 

Oh, and Ryan, watch out for flying frying pans!

Good luck with your project!

Hoses, belts, batteries, vacuum lines, fuel lines, brake lines, virtually anything flexible, rubber or plastic is subject to replacement, including timing belts etc (if equipped). All fluids. Plan a radiator flush, and a second oil change. I would recommend a quart of Rislone in the first one. Chemtool carb cleaner. Oh, and a good pressure wash under the hood. (Careful where you squirt. Don't be filling up your air cleaner.)