Donor engine storage

[bil1024]

So am a couple years from pulling the trigger and the donor engine with 106k on it is on the engine stand, anything I should do to it to keep her fresh ? Thanks

[CraigS]

I think I would buy the tool needed to spin the oil pump w/ a drill. Put new 5-30 oil and filter in it and give it a 2-3-4 minute spin once every month or two. That will get oil to all the bearings and up into the valve area. It's also a good idea to get some oil onto the cylinder walls once in a while. Since it's on a stand it will be easy to rotate it so one bank has the bores vertical. Squirt some oil in each plug hole and rotate the crank through 2-3 revolutions. Then rotate so the other side is vertical and repeat.

[Dan Babb]

106k miles and 'fresh' don't really seem right being in the same sentence. :)

Maybe get the lucas oil additive that helps oil stick to the parts better. You can also get some of that fogger oil stuff to spray in the cylinders through the plugs. Pull the headers off too and use duct tape to seal up the exaust ports. That should help keep moisture from the air out of some of the cylinders (you never can have the engine in a spot where all intake and exhaust valves are closed). Seal off the intake manifold holes too.

If you're going to rebuild the engine before you put it in the car, then I'd probably just fog the cylinders and tape it up. With it sealed, it won't seize on you.

[skullandbones]

106k miles and 'fresh' don't really seem right being in the same sentence. :)

Maybe get the lucas oil additive that helps oil stick to the parts better. You can also get some of that fogger oil stuff to spray in the cylinders through the plugs. Pull the headers off too and use duct tape to seal up the exaust ports. That should help keep moisture from the air out of some of the cylinders (you never can have the engine in a spot where all intake and exhaust valves are closed). Seal off the intake manifold holes too.

If you're going to rebuild the engine before you put it in the car, then I'd probably just fog the cylinders and tape it up. With it sealed, it won't seize on you.

Agreed: 106k and "fresh" just don't mix. I've "refreshed" engines similar to your's by just taking it apart, honing and releaving the cylinder edges and replacing the rings and bearings. On an unknown item (running history unknown), it's an ify process but if you are sure it was a good running engine, it can be very cost effective. It's kind of satisfying to get a new short block with a minimal investment in time and money. Plus it would be a good project associated with your build before you have the serious coin to invest for the kit. Either way, good luck and may your piggy bank grow fat! WEK.

[GJerry]

Pull the fuel injectors out and purge the fuel out of them. If they sit in the engine for two years with fuel in them the engine won't start. Another option, throw them away and buy new ones.