Generally speaking how long can a freshly built engine sit prior to start up? Assumption would be properly assembled with assembly lube, pre oiled and bolted together carb to pan with rocker arms loose.

I think as long as it is buttoned up and nothing getting into the cylinders, etc, then should be fine. Of course before start up, pre-lube . . . had a buddy with his straight 6 (Ford) rebuilt engine - engine sat on pallet for 8-9 months before he got around to installing . . . pre-lubed, fired right up, ran it up 20 min. to get the camshaft and lifters broke in, and all was good . . .

Cheers,

Mark

DECADES!

Just keep it dry inside. Even if it develops a little surface rust inside, that won't matter after 10 minutes of running.

How many of us have started engines that sat for 20 or more years? I know I have.

R.

Just fired a 360 that sat on a stand for 10 yrs about a month ago. I had the exhaust ports taped up solid along with intake, and had no problems. Just make sure to prime it before startup.

Wow...guess I need to get over my phobia about waiting to build my new engine until I get further along with the restoration, all I like other than final paint is finishing the dash assembly and routing the new harnesses...guess I'll get busy on the engine while I wait on the gauge cluster...

Fog the inside of the engine and bare machined areas with some WD40 and don't worry about it.

I worked at Perkins Diesel and Case for years, engines sat all the time with no issues.

Cover all metal GENEROUSLY with the appropriate lube/oil etc. Keep it in a high temp/low humidity area. Best would be inside your house (not in the kitchen)/high humidity is too high depends on what's cookin). You remember that guy in Russia that built a car piece by piece in his 5th floor apt & on the news they used a crane to get it out when he was finished building it

When I did mine I knew the engine would sit for a year, so I backed off the rockers to release the valve spring pressure. Otherwise a few of the valves will sit in the compressed position possibly reducing the spring pressure.

i'm rebuilding one now. once it's done i will put it on the dyno to break it in and see what it will do. after that, entire inside of the engine will be good. after that, it may sit for a long time, so it's just a matter of loosening the valve springs and closing off any open ports, etc...