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Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used #2831779 10/12/20 06:09 AM 10/12/20 06:09 AM
Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,562 Macomb, MI V vinnyd76 OP pro stock
vinnyd76 OP pro stock V Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,562 Macomb, MI	Looking for feedback from the forum on the proper way to store (in the mid-west) an engine after complete rebuild. The Mopar engine is rebuilt/reassembled from the intake to the oil pan. There are no exhaust manifolds installed on the engine assembly. The storage facility is insulated, but not continuously heated. Engine oil is in the motor. Would you manually turn the engine over with a breaker bar by the damper bolt? Would you spray anything down the spark plug holes (e.g. Sea-Foam, WD-40, etc...)? Spark plugs are loose installed.

Re: Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used [Re: vinnyd76] #2831785 10/12/20 07:14 AM 10/12/20 07:14 AM
Joined: May 2019 Posts: 6,225 nowhere S Sniper master
Sniper master S Joined: May 2019 Posts: 6,225 nowhere	I would tape off any openings.

Re: Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used [Re: Sniper] #2831806 10/12/20 08:55 AM 10/12/20 08:55 AM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 8,862 Ontario, Canada S Stanton Don't question me!
Stanton Don't question me! S Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 8,862 Ontario, Canada	I spray WD40 into the cylinders every few months when I turn it over. I also prime the motor every now and then. The engine is then wrapped back up in a mattress bag and its tied up to keep dirt and moisture out.

Re: Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used [Re: Stanton] #2831839 10/12/20 10:32 AM 10/12/20 10:32 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,704 North Dakota 6PakBee I Live Here
6PakBee I Live Here Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,704 North Dakota	This is what I am using. I don't know how well it works as I haven't installed the motor yet. Engine Fogging Spray "We live in a time when intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won't be offended".

Re: Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used [Re: 6PakBee] #2831842 10/12/20 10:59 AM 10/12/20 10:59 AM
Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 3,374 St. Charles, MO wingman Uncreative Title
wingman Uncreative Title Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 3,374 St. Charles, MO	Originally Posted by 6PakBee This is what I am using. I don't know how well it works as I haven't installed the motor yet. Engine Fogging Spray You'll want to fog any bare cast iron or steel for sure. The temperature and humidity swings as the weather changes will cause the cold metal to sweat and condensation to form--this will be one of your biggest issues. Last edited by wingman; 10/12/20 10:59 AM. 1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 383 A4 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 440 FC7 (sold)

Re: Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used [Re: wingman] #2831884 10/12/20 12:37 PM 10/12/20 12:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 25,748 Rio Linda, CA John_Kunkel Too Many Posts
John_Kunkel Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 25,748 Rio Linda, CA	You might also consider these: https://www.amazon.com/Plug-Dri-Dehumidifier-Desiccant-Plug-Storage/dp/B017ZAR6UY The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway

Re: Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used [Re: wingman] #2831888 10/12/20 12:40 PM 10/12/20 12:40 PM
Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,562 Macomb, MI V vinnyd76 OP pro stock
vinnyd76 OP pro stock V Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,562 Macomb, MI	Thank you to everyone for the feedback thus far. I actually purchased some STA-BIL fogging oil the other day, but wanted to ask the forum for input on proper storage. Last edited by vinnyd76; 10/12/20 12:40 PM.

Re: Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used [Re: vinnyd76] #2831909 10/12/20 01:19 PM 10/12/20 01:19 PM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 4,311 Prospect, PA BSB67 master
BSB67 master Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 4,311 Prospect, PA	How long are you storing it? I hate to see a freshly machined and assembled motor just sitting around. I like the desiccant that John pointed out. Wonder if they make something like that for in the motor, like maybe through the distributor opening. I use DampRid (desiccant) in the engine compartment of my boats when storing for winter. It works. I think fogging oil is normally used when the motor is running but probably through the plug holes would be good too. . WD 40 is more like a solvent than a oil. I'd consider something else for longer term storage.

Re: Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used [Re: BSB67] #2831920 10/12/20 01:34 PM 10/12/20 01:34 PM
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,528 Southeast PA 5wndwcpe pro stock
5wndwcpe pro stock Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,528 Southeast PA	If it's going to be a few months or more, I fog the cylinders (as mentioned) and I loosen the rocker shafts to unload the valves so that the bores are not exposed to the atmosphere. Tape up all orifices and leave yourself a note, attached to the motor, as to what's loose and so on. 1968 GTX hardtop 1968 Sport Satellite Convertible 383/4spd 1933 Plymouth coupe 2002 Ram 2500 oil burner 4x4 2015 Grand Cherokee 2013 Challenger 1957 Chrysler Saratoga Man...I need a bigger freakin' garage.

Re: Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used [Re: 5wndwcpe] #2831924 10/12/20 01:58 PM 10/12/20 01:58 PM
Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 660 F fury4speed mopar
fury4speed mopar F Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 660	I would also take any pressure off of the valve springs so they are not under load for a long time from sitting

Re: Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used [Re: vinnyd76] #2831934 10/12/20 02:12 PM 10/12/20 02:12 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 30,995 Oregon A AndyF I Win
AndyF I Win A Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 30,995 Oregon	If you are going to store a machined engine for a period of time then it needs to be put in a heated area. If the storage area is unheated then it will rust.

Re: Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used [Re: BSB67] #2831945 10/12/20 02:36 PM 10/12/20 02:36 PM
Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,562 Macomb, MI V vinnyd76 OP pro stock
vinnyd76 OP pro stock V Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,562 Macomb, MI	Originally Posted by BSB67 How long are you storing it? I hate to see a freshly machined and assembled motor just sitting around. I like the desiccant that John pointed out. Wonder if they make something like that for in the motor, like maybe through the distributor opening. I use DampRid (desiccant) in the engine compartment of my boats when storing for winter. It works. I think fogging oil is normally used when the motor is running but probably through the plug holes would be good too. . WD 40 is more like a solvent than a oil. I'd consider something else for longer term storage. Storage timeframe is about 6-months to a year.

Re: Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used [Re: vinnyd76] #2831995 10/12/20 04:18 PM 10/12/20 04:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,751 A collage of whims topside Too Many Posts
topside Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,751 A collage of whims	Has it been broken in ? I'd prefer that before storing it. I'd fog the cylinders, pre-oil it, and then from time to time turn it over (breaker bar). Turning it over will require some pre-oiling though. A cheap 12V transfer pump that cycles the oil from the pan into an oil pressure port works. But if it's never been run, I'd worry about the cam/lifter interface, especially if it has stout valve springs.

Re: Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used [Re: AndyF] #2832023 10/12/20 05:56 PM 10/12/20 05:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,987 Anoka County, MN L Leigh master
Leigh master L Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,987 Anoka County, MN	Originally Posted by AndyF If you are going to store a machined engine for a period of time then it needs to be put in a heated area. If the storage area is unheated then it will rust. This. Been there. Sickening.

Re: Proper ways to store an engine that is not being used [Re: vinnyd76] #2832025 10/12/20 05:58 PM 10/12/20 05:58 PM
Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 4,450 Morristown Tn. 7 71birdJ68 master
71birdJ68 master 7 Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 4,450 Morristown Tn.	Go to Aircraft Spruce web site, they have a pickling oil.

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