New Guy/Old Astro/Where To Start?

[ROCKNBLUES]

Hi All,
I'm an Astro newbie, except for 17 years ago I had a 1985 Astro that never required anything except routine maintenance and driving, until totaled by my son! Well, I'm acquiring (for pennies) a 1991 Astro/4.3 that while running great, simply stopped 2 years ago. Mostly non-mechanical brother in-law of owner was advised to change the fuel pump and this produced no results, so van got parked! The van is semi roachy and I don't want to dump much $$$ into it until/unless I can get it running and determine whether it's worth keeping to haul my blues band's equipment. I need to have a good idea of where to start to get this to fire up? First off, I'm assuming (please correct me) that given the crappy gas available nowadays, the last thing I want to do is allow ANY of that 2 year old gas to get sucked into the system? Do I really need to drop and drain the tank or can I get by with siphoning/sucking out as much of the old as I can and diluting the rest with 10 or so gallons of fresh fuel? After addressing this issue, my current plan of attack (please correct anything I've missed) is as follows:

A-Charge/Replace battery
B-Make sure engine will turn over
C-Spray starting fluid into air intake to see if at least the engine/ignition is intact and will fire
If it at least fires:
D-Change fuel filter
E-Test for power at the fuel pump with key on
F-If no power at fuel pump, test for power at relay, etc, etc, etc.

Am I missing any initial steps? Does anyone here have other suggestions?

Thanks To All In Advance,
Gene

[Smiliesafari]

Welcome to the site. It sounds like you've got it covered. I wouldn't worry too much about the old fuel. Even old fuel will still burn.

[Astrofarian]

Add OIL & FILTER CHANGE to your Top Ten List.....Just Sayin.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Check ECM A and B fuses. Also pull the doghouse off and check the wire harness that sits over top the right side valve cover for melted through spots.

[Cobra]

Welcome to the site. It sounds like you've got it covered. I wouldn't worry too much about the old fuel. Even old fuel will still burn.

I had mine sitting over the summer and it wouldn't start i added some gas line anti freeze and it fired right up. seems like you have a pretty good idea of where to start trouble shooting.