Engine Rust

Hey guys. I searched through the threads looking for an answer but so far I've found nothing so I'm turning once again to your collective wisdom.

I had the machine work done on a SBC 350 back in January. It's for a project my grandson and I are/will be working on. All of the pieces have been sitting in my heated garage for a couple of months now and will probably sit until the semester ends for my grandson and we can get it ***embled. Even though we live in nice dry Colorado I suspect there will be some surface rust on the block, crank, heads, and other parts. Since I've never left a newly machined engine apart for this long, what's the best way to deal with both the potential rust issue and just getting everything ready for ***embly? Should I oil everything down right now and rebag them or just leave them be until we start the work?

Thanks for the ***istance.

-Glenn

 

I would oil them and cover them with clear plastic.I have some engines apart in my garage and I coated the machined surfaces with wheel bearing grease and wrapped them in plastic.So far,its been years and they are still ok.I once used WD40 and found out it actually enabled the parts to rust.I will never use that stuff again.

 

If they've been stored with an oil coating and in bags, I wouldn't worry too much. If they were bone dry and stored in a bag, that could cause moisture build up...and rust. Best to just give it all a good coat of spray on lube. I usually use "Cheetah Grease" or some sort of penetrating oil I've got a long block that's been sitting on a stand in the shop with no oilpan on it for about 6 years and there's not a spec of rust on the internals. I sprayed it with Cheetah Grease 6 years ago and haven't touched it since.

 

Yep. Spray it with just about anything- Liquid Wrench, etc. (but not WD-40, as mentioned) and bag 'em up. Grease does work well too, but can be a little harder to apply all over.

If it turns out to be a longer delay, I'd consider using LPS-3, which is something like Cosmoline in a spray can....leaves a waxy grease all over and is good for long-term storage.

The smaller parts could probably be stored in a house closet if you expect high humidity at some point.

 

LPS Rules. Hard to find in stores around here but I think Grainger and Motion Ind carries it. Luckily my dad lets me 'borrow' a few cans of various LPS products from the refinery from time to time.

 

Make sure the machined surfaces have either a good coat of oil or grease. Dry climates also have moisture (humidity) in the air oil is your friend.

 

Thanks to all of you for the responses. Since I'm hoping to get this put together in a couple of months I'm going to oil it up and stick it back in the bags.

-Glenn