Long term engine storage

[Ant]

Engine storage, I last ran my engine on the dyno almost 2 years ago, and have since had it in storage, I have been turning it over at least once a month to change to different valve springs that are compressed, it may have been turned over by hand two or three hundred times over this period, mostly with spark plugs removed and a few squirts of WD40 down the plug holes!

I had this horrible thought that there may not be much oil left in the crank journals and on the bearing shells, as the oil pump hasnt been connected to the main oil gallery since the last time the engine ran. I am hoping the Delo 400 15w 40 is still clinging to the rotating bits

[Rick Parker]

You might want to back the rocker arms off so the springs are relaxed.

[Dwight]

Don't used WD40. Use 5 or 10 weight oil. I like Aerokroil, great stuff. It penetrates the metal. Six dollars at the parts store. I not an expert but I think your bearings have oil on them. I've torn down a few old motors and the bearings had oil on them. Some had been sitting for 15 years or more.

In my opinion WD40 is good for cleaning stuff but not for oiling.

Maybe some of the motor experts could post their opinion.

Dwight

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Ant;

I wouldn't use WD40 either, prefer any engine oil, just a squirt or two will suffice....

I'm assuming you have an external oil pump??? as you say it is not connected???? If so, don't worry about the bearing, there's no real load on them turning the motor over by hand....

If you have a wet sump system and OEM type oil pump, then for insurance you can pull the distributor and spin the oil pump before you trun the motor over, assuring everything is well lubed, if not, don't sweat it, but, by all means keep lubing the cylinders and turning the motor over by hand...............

David

[Jac Mac]

Its dry sump, Ant all you have to do is tip some 'real' clean oil in the suction side of the pressure section while turning the pump by hand or with battery drill to relube the bearings, assuming the filter & lines are still connected, dont worry about the scavenge side. I would let the rockers off also, if nothing else that will stop atmosphere etc getting into the cyls & you can still turn it over to shift the rings etc around, shouldnt be toooo long before you bring it out to keep JO honest though!!

[Ant]

Thanks for the replies.

I backed the rockers off recently, as turning it over once a month or less is probably unecessary. I had a chap come round with a bore scope and the engine bore etc has no signs of corrosion!

I did think about pumping oil through the main oil gallery, but I havent sorted my oil filter yet. When I take the valve covers off there is plenty of oil clinging to everything so I would emagine the engine bearings/journals being mainly enclosed should still have the oil there after the last run to handle a few hundred or so turns by hand!

Jac Mac,
JO car is quick and well sorted, might have almost as much HP as mine and be as light, its a nice goal to aim for though!

[PANAVIA]

we recently took apart a 1970 428CJ that was in a crate since 1980. bearings still had oil on them. sticky-oil but they had oil.

[Ant]

I am sure my engine will have enough oil in the bearings to lubricate it for turning over with plugs out, will leave it alone now that I have backed off the rockers, and squirted more oil in the cylinders!

When I get my new dry sump pump I will fire some oil through a filter and reprime engine just for something to do!!

[Mando]

Ive been meaning to ask this question for a while when I noticed this thread. Do any of you guys think there would be a problem with a roller 347 Windsor that was built about 4 years ago and has not been turned over?

Regards.

[ray2]

Just a comment for future users.

The Porsche factory and the Porsche museum both recommend and use WD40 for long-term storage of race cars and old P's. Squirt it in the spark plug openings and down the carbs. Turn it over a bit and that's it.