Just got a 1978 Lincoln Continental, and need some advice.?

Don't just crank it over. 

Either learn what to do, or hire an experienced mechanic. 

Read online. 

You could get useful information from a boat mechanic. 

A lot is involved with a real antique, but I'm not in the mood to write a book here. 

Cylinders can't be rusty. 

I always turn the crankshaft with a ratchet, by hand, with spark plugs out. 

I have a camera that I can stick into the spark plug holes. 

Lubrication is quite important. 

You'll need the zinc additive for the oil to help the non-roller lifters and scuffing. 

I'd drain and flush the gas tank. 

I'd remove and rebuild the carburetor.  If you start it and the carburetor starts dumping gasoline on the engine, the fire could happen so quickly that the car and garage and house could end up burning. 

I have numerous fire extinguishers. 

New fuel filter. 

If there is rust on a valve sealing surface, especially on an exhaust valve, it could burn.  Several valves were open during all those years and could have rusty surfaces.  Same with the valve seats. 

The radiator may be rotten.  The cooling system must work properly.

If you can make the engine run, don't drive it until you check the transmission and brakes and steering.  A lot is involved. 

-Engine overhaul mechanic and general automotive mechanic since 1972

I would drain out and replace all the fluids.   Radiator,  oil,  brake fluid, transmission fluid,  power steering fluid,   and of course the gasoline.   I would put in new filters.   Air filter,  oil filter and gas filter.    I would also put in new spark plugs.   When I go to start it I would crank the engine for just a quick second to get the oil spread out.    Do that a few times about ten seconds apart.   Just enough to get some oil moving but not enough to do real damage due to the dry parts.   Then I would start it and let it run ten seconds then shut it off.   Then I would look under the car and around the engine for any kind of leaks.   Radiator fluid,  oil,  transmission,  etc.   If you have any leaks then you might need to replace all the gaskets too. 

Do not forget to put new tires on it before you try to drive it anywhere.   

You are NOT mechanically inclined?  Spend a day or two learning and using your tools first.  Try removing the battery.  Then get a breaker bar and the correct sized socket and try to turn the crankshaft pulley.  Your project might end on the results of that turning.  Good luck.

As the engine may be seized, or partially so, you should put a socket and ratchet on the crankshaft nut to see if it rotates. If you remove the spark plugs this will be easier and you can also squirt some engine oil into the cylinders. If it rotates it should fire up assuming fuel and a spark are present.

Disconnect the fuel line and aim it into a bucket, then spray starting fluid into the carburetor and start the engine to see if it runs. If it fails to start and run a few seconds, you know to take other measures to diagnose problems. As it is, the fuel is old and you cant trust it and you don't know anything else is wrong- there might not be any other problem.

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Yes, you can always do what Lincoln did in the 1950's; tear the engine down completely, mic every part and machine them to spec as needed, then reassemble. In '78, however, the Contenintal was just a big Ford, choked out with smog equipment.

Besides what has been said - pull the spark plugs take a big socket and breaker bar and turn the engine over by hand - if you can't spin it by hand pour a half cup of diesel in each spark plug hole and let it sit a day and try to turn the engine over by hand again. IF no luck you will have a lot more work to do.

Exploding a starter or galling the flywheel gears would just be a waste if the engine in locked up. 

Drain all gasoline from the tank, the lines and the carburetor.  Then flush with kerosene.