Cylinder head storage
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Newman Lake Wa
Cylinder head storage
After contacting several crate motor builders and finding the "affordable" engines all use recycled cranks and rods, I am having my original '74 L48 rebuilt with new stronger bottom end parts a retrofit hydraulic roller cam with new Dart heads. Leaving the matching VIN code on the block.
I don't know if a future owner might want to restore the engine to original, but just in case I want to store the cam, heads and valve covers for posterity. I am thinking I should find some type of spray grease and plastic wrap to prevent rut. Any tips? Interested in what has worked for others in the past.
Thanks,
Ray
I don't know if a future owner might want to restore the engine to original, but just in case I want to store the cam, heads and valve covers for posterity. I am thinking I should find some type of spray grease and plastic wrap to prevent rut. Any tips? Interested in what has worked for others in the past.
Thanks,
Ray
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 600
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From: Key West Florida
that would work, i was storing a set of 400 heads in a box inside my house, so humidity wasent a factor, i found out the hard way after storing a set of 781 heads in my shop on cardboard, they rusted rather badly after about a year. just my .02
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Fremont CA
I like motorcycle chain lube and plastic bags taped up with duct tape, the bags are redily avalible at an auto machine shop. I have a pair of Bob Johneck 292 Turbo heads stored this way. The holy grail of 1970's Chevy heads for a SBC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
I've successfully stored heads for decades spraying with WD-40 and bagging them.
Now...this usually brings folks out of the woodwork, because WD-40 does indeed turn "gummy" after a while. IMHO, that's fine - anything stored that long is going to need to be disassembled and hot-tanked anyway. Just about any lube is going to do that over time, even a light spray of oil. But it's worked for me, 100%, every time. Just one guy's take.
Now...this usually brings folks out of the woodwork, because WD-40 does indeed turn "gummy" after a while. IMHO, that's fine - anything stored that long is going to need to be disassembled and hot-tanked anyway. Just about any lube is going to do that over time, even a light spray of oil. But it's worked for me, 100%, every time. Just one guy's take.
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 80
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From: Newman Lake Wa
Thanks for the tips. I should have kept the bags from the new heads. Just had a call that the engine is finished. I'll see if I can grab some at the shop.
Should have the new one in in a week,but it's too icy here to give it much of a try.
Ray
Should have the new one in in a week,but it's too icy here to give it much of a try.
Ray
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
put the cam in a section of 2" P.V.C pipe with 2 caps just taped on, spray with some oil first. spray the heads etc and bag them up, if you can keep them from getting bumped around a desiccant to remove moisture will help, i used freeze dried coffee one time and it worked o.k and had a nice smell haha.
