Storing original engine questions
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,653
Likes: 6
From: North Royalton, OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Storing original engine questions
OK, I've got the original motor on a rolling stand, and I've reassembled it with all the original parts after cleaning and repainting, etc. It may sit for years. I've loosened the rocker arms to keep tension off the valve springs. Right now the engine is dry except for residual oil and trace amounts of coolant. What is the best way to store the motor long-term? I was thinking I would fill the oil pan, then spin oil through the motor using the drill attachment, and I figure that spinning the crank over a few times a year wouldn't hurt. But what about the coolant passages? Should there be coolant in the motor? And if so, what is the best way to load it in - through the water neck? And how much? Any other tips would be helpful - like should it be wrapped in plastic or left out in the air? It's not a climate controlled environment... Thanks, guys! 
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 59
From: FL
No coolant. In fact, if the thermostat isn't installed, I'd blow some air through just to dry out the passages from the residual traces.
Each time you rotate the engine, you should run the oil with the drill again to push oil through all the new spots exposed.
Depending on the time you are talking, it wouldn't hurt to run a little thinned oil or diesel down the intake and into the cylinders so that they are not bare from where the rings wiped the cylinders in rotating.
Each time you rotate the engine, you should run the oil with the drill again to push oil through all the new spots exposed.
Depending on the time you are talking, it wouldn't hurt to run a little thinned oil or diesel down the intake and into the cylinders so that they are not bare from where the rings wiped the cylinders in rotating.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
No coolant. If the motor is going to be stored for a real long time just fill the motor, and I mean fill it. Cylinders and all. That way no moisture is going to get inside it. Don't worry about rotating it just leave it alone. I would put it on something other than a stand. I havea set of Moto Feet that bolt to the engine mounts and for long term Iwould just stick a block of wood under the rear of the pan. Chances are it will need to be rebuilt if it ever goes back in the car so I would not worry to much about it.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
It looks like you got the answer to your question, so permit me to highjack if I may.
Has anyone ever installed the original motor back in the car? (Hats off to you if you have!)
More and more I read about people pulling original motors to install some crate piece and being left with the storage problems of the old tired motor and NOM cars.
Is it worth the trouble, or would a person be better off to rebuild what came with the car?
What does the group say?
Has anyone ever installed the original motor back in the car? (Hats off to you if you have!)
More and more I read about people pulling original motors to install some crate piece and being left with the storage problems of the old tired motor and NOM cars.
Is it worth the trouble, or would a person be better off to rebuild what came with the car?
What does the group say?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
A couple months ago I fired up a 350 engine that is in a truck stored outside for over 10 years. Put fresh gas in, let it warm up and drove it 15 miles to a new location. Ran great.
Did nothing to prep it for storage, but I'm not condoning this method either.
Ideally, at least the valve seals should probably be replaced although it did not smoke.
A new method that replaces the cosmoline for the military.
It's a vapor technology that is available in several forms including shrink wrap and an engine treatment as well as other products.
Cortec® VpCI® (Vapor Phase Corrosion Inhibition)
http://www.cortecvci.com/Products/products.php
Did nothing to prep it for storage, but I'm not condoning this method either.
Ideally, at least the valve seals should probably be replaced although it did not smoke.
A new method that replaces the cosmoline for the military.
It's a vapor technology that is available in several forms including shrink wrap and an engine treatment as well as other products.
Cortec® VpCI® (Vapor Phase Corrosion Inhibition)
http://www.cortecvci.com/Products/products.php
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,653
Likes: 6
From: North Royalton, OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Thanks, guys. I appreciate the info. The stand it's on is actually a rolling cart mount, not an actual engine stand. Low to the ground, mounted on the rear and motor mount locations. I'll give it a little extra oil fill, and I'll spin some every few months with the drill/pump. Sounds like it's ready to sit for a while
