Engine parts long term storage
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
Engine parts long term storage
What is the best way to store a set of pistons and rods? My 383 short block has been hanging on my engine stand for a couple of years since I broke the crank. Its time to get rid of it. The crank and block are both toast. I'm going to salvage the pistons and rods for another build. I'm thinking of thoroughly coating them in oil or Rust Check, wrapping them in some plastic shopping bags, and storing them in a Rubbermaid bin. Any thoughts, suggestions, experiences?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Either really really dry or spray liberally with LPS3 (awsome for years of storage), if it's a never-never plan, go with grease/oil mix and slather it everywhere
Either way, double bag it (the oils and grease will eventually break down the plastic bag, consider using that waxed butcher paper) box it and forget about them until just after you buy new ones...
M
Either way, double bag it (the oils and grease will eventually break down the plastic bag, consider using that waxed butcher paper) box it and forget about them until just after you buy new ones...
M
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Put them in a 5 gal bucket. Add oil until parts are fully covered. Put lid on bucket. Or, just put them in a cardboard box and store in a dry place like a shed. My L-82 pistons have not deteriorated in 25 years stored like this.
Last edited by resdoggie; Nov 13, 2020 at 09:32 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
I’ve saved parts from engine builds in the past and coated them in cosmolene (?spelling).
I’ve gently moved them every time I need to clean or stock something else in their current space.
I’ve treated the box like it was filled with some rare commodity.
When it comes time to build another engine, my plan is different and end up tossing the now box of junk parts into the garbage hoping it doesn’t make the bin to heavy for the trash truck.
I then shake my head, laugh at my self and promise not to do it again.
This time, when the original numbers matching 454, trans and all other parts come out of my 73, they are all getting sold or trashed.
But, then I think the 454 with an 871, the TH-400, and the IRS would be sweet in a chopped 32 three window.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I’ve gently moved them every time I need to clean or stock something else in their current space.
I’ve treated the box like it was filled with some rare commodity.
When it comes time to build another engine, my plan is different and end up tossing the now box of junk parts into the garbage hoping it doesn’t make the bin to heavy for the trash truck.
I then shake my head, laugh at my self and promise not to do it again.
This time, when the original numbers matching 454, trans and all other parts come out of my 73, they are all getting sold or trashed.
But, then I think the 454 with an 871, the TH-400, and the IRS would be sweet in a chopped 32 three window.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,140
Likes: 4,248
From: US-PNW
<thumbs up> I like to coat the part in oil and then wrap it in oil-soaked paper. Newspaper, cheap packing paper from U-Haul, lunch sacks... doesn't really matter as long as the paper is oil coated and fully wraps around the part. I've even stored vintage cast iron table saw tops with oiled paper on top for several years in an unheated garage (in the rainy Pacific Northwest) with no rust appearing.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
I’ve saved parts from engine builds in the past and coated them in cosmolene (?spelling).
I’ve gently moved them every time I need to clean or stock something else in their current space.
I’ve treated the box like it was filled with some rare commodity.
When it comes time to build another engine, my plan is different and end up tossing the now box of junk parts into the garbage hoping it doesn’t make the bin to heavy for the trash truck.
I then shake my head, laugh at my self and promise not to do it again.
This time, when the original numbers matching 454, trans and all other parts come out of my 73, they are all getting sold or trashed.
But, then I think the 454 with an 871, the TH-400, and the IRS would be sweet in a chopped 32 three window.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I’ve gently moved them every time I need to clean or stock something else in their current space.
I’ve treated the box like it was filled with some rare commodity.
When it comes time to build another engine, my plan is different and end up tossing the now box of junk parts into the garbage hoping it doesn’t make the bin to heavy for the trash truck.
I then shake my head, laugh at my self and promise not to do it again.
This time, when the original numbers matching 454, trans and all other parts come out of my 73, they are all getting sold or trashed.
But, then I think the 454 with an 871, the TH-400, and the IRS would be sweet in a chopped 32 three window.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
This!! Easy to store also...wrapping them after oiling is fine also. In a 5 gal container with a lid the wife wont know lol