> My 240 has been sitting covered outside for
> a year or two and I am ready to get it back
> on the road. Any suggestions on what to do
> before starting the car are appreciated.
I stored my 240 for a year at a time from 1982 to 1996, coming home from Saudi Arabia for one month per year. Heres' my experience:
If you left fuel in the carbs you may have to rebuild them, if not right away then soon as varnish will have built up in them. I learned to run mine dry and then some before putting her away.
If the gas tank was left full you should be OK but if it was only part full you may have condensation and should drain it.
Remove each spark plug and squirt engine oil (or Marvel Mystery Oil) into each cylinder. Change the oil! If nothing else, this will lube the cam, etc.
Depending on brand, your antifreeze may have coagulated and plugged up some of the radiator tubes. Drain a little of the coolant until the tops of the tubes are exposed and see if any of the visible tubes don't drain. If they don't, have it rodded/boiled etc.
Bleed your brakes until fresh fluid is in all the lines. Moisture will have built up in the cylinders and calipers and left alone will cause brake failure at some point.
If you left it sitting on the tires, they may be flat-spotted causing a thumping noise. this should go away withing a few miles. (I kept mine on stands)
Good Luck!!