starting a 87 westi after 1year in storage

[pt00323i]

Ok, I'm trying to get my friends Westi started, is an 87, the last time he said it ran was more than a year ago, he replaced the tires and battery and it was still running well, then work got busy got a new suv....year later.....

now, I'm thinking the following to get it working:
trickle charge the battery for 1 day,
drain the gas add new gas-how to drain the gas?
see if it cranks.
if still no crank check for voltage at starter
if cranks, won't turn, check sparks, and fuel delivery.

do I need to squirt some as in each cylinder?
replace plugs etc.

the only concern I have it might have a leaking head issue, however he said it ran fine a year ago.  and the only way to check is after the engine is running correct?

any other inputs welcome, I will start doing it this weekend, he said I can have the westi for cheap if I can get it working and out of his house.

[MrLiMBO]

My advice, and I just did this with my 87, although it only sat for 9 months.    Charge the battery, check the oil and crank it up!.  If the battery was new last year, it should take a charge fairly quickly.  Mine did.  

After it starts and you're confident that its going to run ok, then go give it an oil change and maybe a tune up.  Don't worry about the gas, just get it over the gas station and dump Super unleaded in it.  Unless it already has a full tank, then you may need to dump some out. To dump out some fuel,  you'll need to remove one of the two hoses coming off the bottom of the tank.  

Don't forget to check the air pressure in the tires.  The first time you drive you may here some scraping noises.  I wouldn't worry too much about it unless it continues for a few days.  The brakes will have some rust build up on the drums and rotors. A couple of good hard stops should remove that.

One thing to think about if the van cranks over and doesn't start.  If you've checked things like the fuel pump to make sure its running, you've checked things over and you think it should be running and it still  won't start, you may need to give the fuel injectors a little 'persuasion'.    Grab a 3/8' socket extention, I use the longest one I have (about 18 inches) and a small hammer.  While someone else it cranking over the engine, place the  extention on the fuel injector and tap on it with the hammer.  Sometimes the injectors get gummed up and need a little shock to get them freed up. Good luck

[pt00323i]

thanks, I'll give it a shot, if I get stuck I'll be back.