I just pulled my 74 Dart valve cover and removed the rocker assembly and rocker arms. I replaced one cracked rocker. The car has been stored since 1990 and I need to change the timing chain and let a mechanic tell me if the valve springs are okay. What do I need to do before I turn the crankshaft? I have been told a new camshaft should be installed. True? The car last ran on leaded fuel. Should I have the shop prepare it for non-leaded fuel? How?

Tips for pulling a head wear a back brace.

Or use a hoist.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

Why? If the car hasn't run in 15 years, I wouldn't start a restoration by installing a new timing chain. We could use some better background before we give advice.
As long as they are not visably broken, they should be O.K. to get the engine running again. Since you've got the rocker shaft off, you can check for free valve movement by tapping on each valve stem with a small hammer. Each valve should open and then snap closed quickly with a 'thunk' noise. If not, ask more questions.
Make sure there is fresh oil in the motor and install a fresh oil filter. With the valve cover off, you should notice oil at the rockers very quickly or else your oil pump has lost it's prime. I have used a turkey baster to fill the oil pump with fresh oil on engines that haven't run for very long periods. Squirt oil into the holes found when the filter is removed. If there is an oil filter standpipe, remove it, fill the pump with oil and then reinstall the standpipe and filter.

If the car really has been sitting for 15 years, don't try to run off the gas in the tank. The tank will be full of sludge or rust. You'll need to use a gas can. You may also find that the carb is full of dried junk, but worry about that later. Don't make the mistake of trading in the carb for a 'rebuilt' carb. Even if you buy a rebuild, Hold on to the origional carb until you are sure you've got everything running properly.
I don't understand why. Camshafts last a long time and don't usually need replaced under normal conditions.
By 74, the cars were built to run on unleaded. AKA, hardened valve seats from the factory. No special fuel or preparations should apply to most 74 model slant sixes.

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1980 Aspen 225 super six

In addition to loss of prime in the pump, another reason for not getting fresh oil to the top is something I found out the hard way... the small oil passage coming up from the block and through the rear rocker shaft pedestal can be clogged with hardened gunk. While you have the shaft off, dig around in the rear pedestal with a small-headed screwdriver or piece of stiff wire and find the oil passage. If you're really concerned about the condition of the oiling system, the pick-up tube in the pan is another source of clogging. The screen on mine was full of crusty old oil residue.

Ditto on the old gasoline turned to varnish. Run a length of line off the fuel pump intake to a gas can on the ground temporarily.

Good luck,
Jerry

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There's a difference between ignorance and stupidity.
Ignorance is not knowing any better.
Stupidity is knowing, yet doing it anyway.

Thanks to Slant6Ram and '74 Sport Jerry. Yes the car has been sitting since 1990. I bought the car new in 1974. It has a 1973 slant 6 which I installed in 1987 (long story),and gave the car to my mom who drove it less than 1000 miles in the next three years. The 73 engine had 80,000 miles on it. I am not a mechanic, so if I don't need to replace the camshaft, then I won't. Tips from those who suggest to me not to change the camshaft are the types of advise I need.

Jerry, I will change the oil and fire it up. The gas tank was pulled in August and has been sitting since Hurricane Katrina. I'll use a gas can to fuel the engine. I'll have to reinstall the radiator. I'll post again after I crank it.

Were the 73 engines also ready for non-leaded fuel?

Thank to All,

Randy

yes randy, 73 were ready for unleaded. what is casting # on head? its easy to read with rocker shaft off. ron