I started a 454 that had set for several years a while back without any special prep and no apparent damage. It had not been sitting quite as long, and I needed to move the vehicle ASAP and driving it seemed the easiest approach.
I spun it over with the ignition disabled to get the oil pressure up, then connected the ignition and fired it up. Drove it home and for the next couple years made a point to start it every month or so. Now its been sitting again for a couple years...