Author Topic: Putting An Engine Into Storage. (Read 5494 times)

JSimmons · « **on:** September 01, 2003, 02:08:12 PM »

Aloha,

I've had a 2110cc longblock in storage for about a year, but the other day it dawned on me that I really didn't ask the Pros on how to do it correctly. I pretty much left the engine partially filled with oil, cleaned up everything with Simple Green, plugged the intake and exhaust ports with shop rags and wrapped the heads in seran wrap (however you spell it).

Is there something else I should do? I hardly ran this engine at all before I had to part-out my project. In fact, it only ran for the first 15-20 min. break-in period. I would like to be able to use this engine at a future time for something like a Resto-custom Ghia or a Speedster replica. What exactly is the right way to do this so I don't have a huge piece of scrap metal in another year or two?

B)

aloha,
Joel

Geoff · « **Reply #1 on:** September 01, 2003, 02:26:58 PM »

The only other thing i would recomend would be to remove the two nuts that hold the rocker shafts on and remove the shafts. This will allow the valve springs to be in the relaxed position.

JSimmons · « **Reply #2 on:** September 01, 2003, 07:06:26 PM »

Mahalo!

~Joel

JSimmons · « **Reply #3 on:** September 02, 2003, 10:47:52 PM »

Aloha,

One more thing...should I leave the spark plugs in or remove them and place shop rags in the plug holes?

~Joel

James Buchan · « **Reply #4 on:** September 02, 2003, 11:58:31 PM »

No harm leaving them in unless there is a chance they will get broken off by something

JSimmons · « **Reply #5 on:** September 03, 2003, 11:28:15 AM »

Thanks James.

~Joel

Mordrake · « **Reply #6 on:** September 08, 2003, 08:27:25 PM »

If you are looking for a longer time in storage for this engine you should try to get an air tight container and throw a few descicant (sp?) bags in with it....

Another solution a buddy of mine swears by is submurging the engine compleatly in filtered used engine oil inside a oil drum.... obviously you need to get all the accessories off the bare block/cylinders/heads first, and is best to have the entire engine compleatly flooded with the oil.
This is only good for extreamly long storage, and will require complete disassembly / cleaning when you eventually want to use it.
He has about 12 drums with rare engines stored in this way out on his farm.

John W. Kelly · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2003, 12:40:09 PM »

Whatever you do don't let it sit on dirt! This will eat the magnisum! I set an engine on the \"dry\" floor of my woodshed and vola, no more case!

coolairX2 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 28, 2003, 07:34:58 AM »

Eastwood has Desiccant plugs that screw into the spark plug holes. This will help keep the moisture out of the P&C's.

http://www.eastwoodco.com/

-Craig

JSimmons · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2003, 02:51:25 AM »

Aloha,

Craig - Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely check into that.

John - I don't have it sitting on dirt, thank God. I didn't know that would happen. Its actually sitting in my closet!

My Wife and I had to move from our duplex because the landlord sold the property, so we now live in an apartment with no garage and I wasn't about to sell the engine for cheap just to get rid of it. So, it now resides beneath a pair of khakis.

aloha,
Joel

John W. Kelly · « **Reply #10 on:** October 08, 2003, 12:08:41 PM »

I hope the landlord didn't see you do that!!! Reminds me of when I rebuilt a motorcycle tranny in my apartment long ago. Nice smell of 80-90wt for a while...

Mordrake · « **Reply #11 on:** October 08, 2003, 06:49:29 PM »

Am in the army and was living in single quarters for a while as I pulled the engine out of my 73 Super Bug.... had the engine sitting in the middle of the floor in the shacks when the Barrac warden gave me a heads up to get rid of it \"Or Else!!\". Was just before Christmass last year and was going to visit the family over the hollidays so.... I built a box arround it made of cardboard and wraped it compleatly in Christmass paper.. then added the tag \"To: Tony From: Mom , do not open til after Christmass!\"

It was still there when I got back from holidays ; ]

JSimmons · « **Reply #12 on:** October 09, 2003, 11:19:19 PM »

Yeah, that wouldn't have gone over very well if the landlord saw me taking the engine up the stairs into the apartment. But, hey...she said no pets...she never said anything about not allowing VW engines.

Mordrake - slick idea to get by the regulations!

aloha,
Joel

Gibson · « **Reply #13 on:** October 09, 2003, 11:40:44 PM »

On the suggestion that the engine be stored immersed in used engine oil am wondering if the oil, being 'used' and therefore containing minute metal particles, will have a corroding effect on the engine

.

John W. Kelly · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2003, 02:41:37 PM »

Those are some funny stories!!!

Raymond · « **Reply #15 on:** October 13, 2003, 09:32:35 AM »

Look to the marine world for some storage ideas. Two things that come to mind are \"fogging\" oil, where the engine is run at higher rpm as you spray into the carb and then keep spraying and let it idle and stall out. I would limit this whole procedure to under 15 seconds. The can will last for many years. The entire system is protected, but be warned, this will generate a little smoke. You can also use it on a non-running engine by spraying it through the plug holes and turn it over a couple of times but its not nearly as effective.

Also available at boating stores, you can purchase \"anti-corrosion\" sprays for protection on any type of surface (plastic, wiring, metal, etc). I use a Volvo-Penta product that foams. Rather than overkill and a dripping mess everywhere, you can spray a little and spread it around with a 1\" paint brush.