Engine Rebuild Advice Needed
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,426
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From: VetteMOD
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Engine Rebuild Advice Needed
After almost 2 years of disassembly of my entire car, I have finally begun putting the car back together. I am getting ready to assemble my engine and I have a concern that the engine will sit in it's rebuilt state for another year (or more) before I get the car running. I thought this would be a good group to ask because of the number of long-term projects that I see here.
My question is this. Should I be doing anything special as far as lubrication of assembled parts (or anything else) to insure that the motor will be ready to run in a year or more? I am aware that I should pre-oil the engine. I have heard some people dry coat the cylinder walls with Marvel Mystery Oil.
Any advice would be appreciated.
My question is this. Should I be doing anything special as far as lubrication of assembled parts (or anything else) to insure that the motor will be ready to run in a year or more? I am aware that I should pre-oil the engine. I have heard some people dry coat the cylinder walls with Marvel Mystery Oil.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
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From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Oil the cylinder walls, seal all openings, store in dry environment if possible, and loosen the rocker arm adjustment nuts so no valve springs are compressed. That should do it.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
The valve springs are the main issue. If you do tighten them make sure you rotate the engine every few months (ie 45-90 degrees) to change the compression on the springs.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: VetteMOD
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
i hate the idea of having a built engine just sitting around....can yu delay the build so the timing is better
Senior Member since 1492
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
I coated the cylinder heads with WD-40 right before I installed the heads. Then it took me about 1 more year before the engine was fired. (Time & $$)
I turned the crank about once a month in the mean. Grumpyvette said to fill the oil pan with 10 qts during the winter too.
I turned the crank about once a month in the mean. Grumpyvette said to fill the oil pan with 10 qts during the winter too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
Originally Posted by BKbroiler
Oil the cylinder walls, seal all openings, store in dry environment if possible, and loosen the rocker arm adjustment nuts so no valve springs are compressed. That should do it.
Lots of WD40
take tention off springs 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Connecticut, USA
I had my 350 sitting for 6 years. All I did was take out the plugs shoot some oil in the cylinders and rotate the crank every month or two. The engine was fine. I'm not that crazy about wd40 anymore for long term protection. The assembly lubes are thicker and will cling to the metal better or even ATF. I didn't bother backing off the springs because I have new heads to go on anyway.
Gary
Gary
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Orange Park Florida
Also to put a heavy plastic bad over the entire assy, and close it up tight on the stand neck....sealing it shut on a nice dry day....keeps it's clean and without condensate gathering on the block....
GENE
GENE
Tech Contributor
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
No problem storing a rebuilt engine for years. GM crate engines sit on the shelf for years with no problem. Just cap all openings and wrap the whole thing in a plastic bag and tie it off to keep moisture out of it. You can buy some dessicant from Grainger and throw that in the bag to keep things nice and dry for additional protection. I've had engines sitting assembled for 3-4 years and have never had a problem or an issue starting them or any issues with reliability.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by lars
No problem storing a rebuilt engine for years. GM crate engines sit on the shelf for years with no problem. Just cap all openings and wrap the whole thing in a plastic bag and tie it off to keep moisture out of it. You can buy some dessicant from Grainger and throw that in the bag to keep things nice and dry for additional protection. I've had engines sitting assembled for 3-4 years and have never had a problem or an issue starting them or any issues with reliability.
.
Pro
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Front Range
If it were me and it's a fresh camshaft, I'd leave the intake off or unsealed and at least put some fresh break in lube on the lifter faces prior to priming it and starting it a year from now.
good luck
tbw
good luck
tbw
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Little Rock AR
Lubriplate sells a great white motor assembly grease that will stay in place over time. I would not hesitate to use it on all the bearings and to pack the oil pump. The cylinder walls can get some oil on them. The moly lube is just for the valvetrain. Wrap it up and forget about it.
-Mark.
-Mark.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 135
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From: Northern NJ
I winterize my outboard motor with fogging oil. It comes in an aerosol and it's purpose is to protect the cylinder walls and carb linkages. My boat spends 6 months a year in the salt water and I've had no problems. Actually, if your engine was running, you would spray it into the carb with the motor running and it coats everything. I'm thinking it may be good for storing a car also.