Very smart advice
Engine Frozen
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Fair Oaks CA
Engine Frozen
I'm picking up a 1976 Monday with a frozen engine caused from sitting for 15 years. I know I will have to do a complete engine rebuild but thought that I may be able to get the engine to turn over by using WD40 or oil (and even heard of Kerosene) and let it sit in the cylinders for a few days. Any thoughts of which I should use? Thanks for your time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
Was the car stored inside or outside? If outside, the intake valves are probably stuck in position. Most times engines stick due to piston ring to cylinder wall corrosion. If you get them broke loose then turn over the engine, if the valves are stuck the push rods will be bent. What I would do is loosen off all rocker arms and remove push rods, turn rockers to side. Any stuck open valves will be easy to see. Then with a piece of 1X2 wood on top of valve stem tap gently on wood with a small hammer to see if any are stuck. If one is stuck it will feel solid, if not stuck the blow will be cushioned by the valve spring as the valve moves. If any valves are stuck, intake or exhaust, then the heads will have to come off to get them loose. Just wanted to pass this on to you. Hopefully this is not the case. Good luck with it. mike...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
I'm picking up a 1976 Monday with a frozen engine caused from sitting for 15 years. I know I will have to do a complete engine rebuild but thought that I may be able to get the engine to turn over by using WD40 or oil (and even heard of Kerosene) and let it sit in the cylinders for a few days. Any thoughts of which I should use? Thanks for your time.
pull the mill and take it apart on an engine stand......jmo.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 43
From: Native Californian CALIFORNIA
Army
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Shelby NC
I'm picking up a 1976 Monday with a frozen engine caused from sitting for 15 years. I know I will have to do a complete engine rebuild but thought that I may be able to get the engine to turn over by using WD40 or oil (and even heard of Kerosene) and let it sit in the cylinders for a few days. Any thoughts of which I should use? Thanks for your time.
If you try it you will not be disappointed.
Good advice on valve stuck issue--but if they are loose then break engine loose and see what happens. If you are going to build it anyway then pull it and don't waste your time and effort.
You still need a good penetrating oil to have on hand!
Good luck-
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Trying to get a 'frozen' engine to turn over is more likely to do significant damage to the engine than anything else. What would you then do if it moved? Try to start it? And, WD-40 is not oil, nor is it a penetrant for breaking rust down. PB Blaster is and you should use liberal amounts of it as you are trying to disassemble the engine in order to remachine and rebuild it.
