I wanted to relay my latest experience with rebuilding my 62 Dart. The car had sat up for twelve years in a barn. After learning there was no compression in the # 4 clyinder I had the engine rebuilt. I proudly installed the rebuilt engine. I received good advise on this list on how to get the new engine running. With the car running I drove the car showing most of my friends. The next morning I attempted to crank the car. Nothing. The engine was sounding bad. After considerable trouble shooting, I found the push rods bent and valves sticking. A mechanic told me my failure to get out the gas from the tank prior to restart had caused the valves to sieze. Fun stuff, huh.

Yuck....I hate it when that happens!
I have to say that I have "been there, done that."
Live and learn, now when I go to start a car that has been sitting a long time, I simply dis-connect the rubber hose going into the fuel pump and stick-on a longer hose leading into a freash can of gas. I start and run the car on that 'side can' until I have time to drop and clean out the fuel tank.
DD

I understand the engine stumbling around on old gas but what's the reason why valves stick/push rods get bent?

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Cheers!
Al T

Old gas turns to varnish that gets very stickey

not good for a motor, of course this must have been REALLY old gas