For those following my saga: This was the 87 245 I've posted about that sat for about ten years with about 3/4 of a tank of gas, or should I say about two or three inches of varnish sludge in the bottom of the tank and the rest something that looked like black coffee.

New injectors, new fuel pressure regulator, new (used) fuel tank, new sending unit, both fuel pumps, new filter, new lines from pump to tank and from metal line to tank. Cleaned the old pump to rail line with Gumout, chased it with gasoline and blew it out with compressed air until the gas ran clean through the lines; took about a quart of gas to get there.

This evening I got everything zipped up with the lines and started it up. It took right off, runs like an electric clock. I am very confident about the engine.

My next steps are to install the Starla exhaust, go through the brakes and wheel bearings (ten years parked kind of locks and gums things up), then I'm taking it to a reliable old school mechanic I know to have him do the timing belt, front seals, and most importantly motor mounts. I could do the timing belt myself but I think I'll have him do it and while I'm there check compression, fuel pressure, and have him take a look at the suspension and steering, he's got a lift, I don't.

I mentioned I worked on a lot of old VW Bugs and some Type III's but I haven't got into a project like this for about ten or twelve years. Those VWs are the simplest and most primitive cars around, 30s technology in a 60s or 70s car. I am amazed at the simplicity of this car, it is not at all hard to get the handle on the mechanics of it. My hat is off to the engineers who built it.

Thanks to Art, Machine Man and all the others who gave advice and tips. I'm going to need some more as I go through the 500 other things this car is probably going to need, large and small, going forward.

I have that feeling of exhilaration that comes from knowing that I just saved a great old car from the crusher.