Storing an engine

Okay, right now I've got a 350 short block that was rebuilt a few months ago. Well it's been sitting and I've sprayed WD40 on it a few times but there is still rust starting on the gasket surfaces and some on the end of the crank. It's not terrible yet, it will pretty much just wipe off.

I will probably be installing this in a friends 80 Corvette or my 52 International if it doesn't sell, but that wont be until summer.

I need to keep it rust free until then. It's sitting on an engine cradle. Just the block and internals, no oil pan/covers or anything else.

Any ideas?

 

WD40 the crap out of it, and put a plastic bag over the top, some of those dessicant bags (the things that come when you buy a pair of shoes that say DO NOT EAT) don't hurt. I've kept a rebuilt motor with the heads off stored that way for a long time, no issues. The heads are another story, they got stored in another spot and rusted up pretty bad.

 

Try some GIBBS!

 

Gibbs?

 

DONT use wd40, itll disapear and get rusty, use some lubegaurd assembly lube, the white engine assembly greese, wipe the cylinders down, and any metal surface, lifter bores etc etc.

l

jeff

 

I use motorcycle chain lube to spray the internals with - stays where you put it, disolves in oil when the engine is run and has some anti corrodants in it. Works well for me.

 

yep, just experienced that one. I'll try the assembly grease.

 

Castle markets a spray protectant called Endura. It's worked well for me on crankshafts and blocks that have been lying in my garage for several years. After you spray it on the part, it gets quite tacky and thick, and won't evaporate.

 

Yep, what he said. My experience too. WD40 cleans stuff, displaces moisture, but evaporates. After it dries, there is no film left.

 

I just paint wheel bearing grease on the surfaces with a brush, preserves them for years.

 

most auto parts stores will sell a product for this purpose, called 'fogging oil'. spray in the spark plug holes and in intake.

if it is in an environment that gets collects moisture, bag it. also, if crankcase is not yet sealed (oil pan, timing cover, valley pan), bag it.

 

I sprayed my 354 Hemi with Boeshield T-9, wrapped it in a heavy black trashbag and stored it on 2x4's under the workbench.

Boeshield is a waterproof lubricant/corrosion protectant. I got it at a boating supply store, but it's also available at SEARS.

http://www.boeshield.com/

 

fogging the cylinders is a great idea , also is sealing it up

on a fresh motor that will be siting a while before installation i loosen up the rockers arms so all the valves are closed.

 

The motor has no heads. Its just the bock, crank, rods and pistons.

Titus, wont that white assembly grease be hard to get off when I start to build the motor come spring time?

 

fog oil is what we use for doing boat motors when we winterize them. just hose the motor witha can. the seal up the bag. should be good tell summer. the boats do fine. napa can get it. its a great idea for you runner too. put your fuel stabilizer in get the motor up to temp sprayin the carb. shut it off. part it your good.

 

There's a thick white oil you can get, I think it's assembly lube. I have a mechanic friend who uses it on parts when he stores them because it won't run off. If he stores crank or something like that he'll lube the hell out if it so all surfaces are covered, then wrap it in a pastic wrap and hang it. I bet that lube would work well for you.

 

Assembly lube is great if you are assembling the short block....if it's already together, it's too late to get it on bearing surfaces.

I would coat it with Gibbs (do a search on here...Roadsters.COM has the best price) and cover it with an engine bag or a large garbage bag.

Putting some dessicant bags in there wouldn't hurt either.

Mike

 

I used to store short blocks by swabbing Mystery Oil on everything exposed and double bag it with Hefty bags and set it on a couple of pieces of wood in a dry corner of my garage.

Bob

 

Wow, that Gibbs looks like good stuff. It had better be for $20 a can!! But I will be ordering a can or two tomorrow when they're open.

 

Yep.

Spray it with Gibbs, bag it up and store it where it is dry.

Will be good to go when you are ready for it.

It MAY be expensive, but seems to go a long way, and I have found nothing that really works as good....close but not as good.

Mike

 

wd40 will eat metal.my buddy sprayed his knife collection,put them in a safe.came back one day and blades were all gone.

 

I use Gibbs or Mystrey Oil..bag. Back east I put a bunch of silca packets to keep moisture in bag reasonable. A box of silca gel packets was pretty cheap.