Weird. When the 76 did that, it broke the bushing.
Hopefully that's the case. And it's a 360 so it's likely still got good compression. But to a comp test before you go gung-ho into trying to get it to fire.

*edit*
I'm kinda with wolfie on that one, stick a new battery on it and see what happens.
You're working with a Mopar after all!

 

it only has 86K on it.

 

True, and it has been sitting for ten years so might just fire off with a little spray prime in the carby and a jump box.....

 

Or it could have 186k.
My 76 says it has 85k. lol I'd do a comp test on it anyway.

 

Did the 78~79 come with a 5 or 6 digit odo? I seem to remember it had a zero ahead of the 8.

 

it looks like it might be a 5 digit.

 

I do not know as I have a 76, mine is a 5 digit. I thought they 6 digits weren't really used until the 80's.

 

i wouldn't worry about doing a compression test or leak down test until after you get it running. i would just make sure the fluid levels are where they need to be and then pour some gas down the carb and hit the key. she may sound a bit rough for the first few minutes if it stays running but it will eventually start sounding better.

 

I have a buddy who bought a Chev that had been sitting for at least ten years. It was a 1977 and we went to pick it up and just took jumper cables and some gas in a can. It took about half an hour, but we got it running good enough for him to drive home! BTW this was about ten years ago so he definitely had gas in the tank from before all this ethenol crap.

 

I'm not sure I would have been comfortable on those tires, but whatever floats his boat!