How do I store a motor?
06-29-2017, 12:24 AM
#1
How do I store a motor? I got a longblock for my wife's car, but it's too hot outside to install it right now. What can I do to keep the rings, seals, etc fresh until the fall?
I know that I need to tape up the ports, but should I spray WD40 or something similar into each intake/exhaust port so that the piston rings don't dry out?
I know that I need to tape up the ports, but should I spray WD40 or something similar into each intake/exhaust port so that the piston rings don't dry out?
06-29-2017, 01:33 AM
#2
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i have purchased engines from japan that look fine after sitting for who knows how long but they are ran on gas..My buddies spray a good amount of marvel mystery oil in the spark plug holes before they store the engine in the off season but thats an alcohol fuel. Iam taking an engine apart that was ran on q16, then stored for about 4 years, lets just say the cylinders and valve seats arent looking too good. wd-40 i noticed tends to dry up and turn gooey after long periods of sitting, so i think i would stick with the mystery oil, or nothing a all.
06-29-2017, 07:39 AM
#3
I wouldn't worry too much about it for such a short period, especially with a sealed motor eg. no metal parts are exposed to the elements to rust. Rust is your main concern, not the parts remaining fresh.
So as long as it's sealed up nicely, it should be fine for a couple months. Those things don't go bad so quickly, I mean look at how many people store their cars all winter long without doing much and they start right up in the spring.
Now if you were storing this for several years I would say take some precautions, but a couple months is nothing to worry about.
So as long as it's sealed up nicely, it should be fine for a couple months. Those things don't go bad so quickly, I mean look at how many people store their cars all winter long without doing much and they start right up in the spring.
Now if you were storing this for several years I would say take some precautions, but a couple months is nothing to worry about.
06-29-2017, 10:32 AM
#5
I was out of town when the motor was delivered, and my friend and brother-in-law unpacked it to check it out. They forgot to tape up the exhaust ports and throttle body port.
It has been sitting for almost a month, so I wanna get it sealed up today or tomorrow.
It has been sitting for almost a month, so I wanna get it sealed up today or tomorrow.
06-29-2017, 12:20 PM
#6
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I wouldn't worry too much about it for such a short period, especially with a sealed motor eg. no metal parts are exposed to the elements to rust. Rust is your main concern, not the parts remaining fresh.
So as long as it's sealed up nicely, it should be fine for a couple months. Those things don't go bad so quickly, I mean look at how many people store their cars all winter long without doing much and they start right up in the spring.
Now if you were storing this for several years I would say take some precautions, but a couple months is nothing to worry about.
So as long as it's sealed up nicely, it should be fine for a couple months. Those things don't go bad so quickly, I mean look at how many people store their cars all winter long without doing much and they start right up in the spring.
Now if you were storing this for several years I would say take some precautions, but a couple months is nothing to worry about.
My winter storage prep procedure includes nothing specific to the actual engine itself, and that's for a 4-6 month period every year. ~20 years later, no issues with the original engine at all.
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06-30-2017, 02:37 AM
#8
Being its a freshly built motor and never run. I wouldn't take any chances. For five bucks you can get a can of Stabil fogging oil at any auto parts store. Give it a shot down each spark plug hole. I wouldn't spray any in the intake. The only other thing would be if it had a high lift cam with some heavy springs I would loosen the rockers. Or you could turn the motor over once a month not leaving it in the same spot on rotation when done. You can pull the drain pug on the oil pan to fog the crank case. The biggest thing is how much moisture is there where it is being stored. Ours is in a climate controlled shop. We keep our spare motor in a bag also and then fog the bag too. Then you don't need to tape off the exhaust ports if in a bag. That fogging oil does a great job of getting everywhere. When you get ready to use it. It will be like you just got it. No worries and great piece of mind. But that's what we do. They fog boat motors to store them over winter. Why not a fresh motor? Just cheap insurance.
06-30-2017, 12:04 PM
#10
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If the engine has never been broken in, and has never had oil circulated through it, then it might be a different story vs. storing a seasoned engine. I've never personally stored a freshly assembled/never run engine so I have no experience in that regard.
06-30-2017, 01:01 PM
#11
[QUOTE=RPM WS6;19663334]I didn't see the OP state that this was specifically the case. Did I miss it?
[QUOTE=FCar2000TA;19662102]I got a longblock for my wife's car, but it's too hot outside to install it right now.
[QUOTE=FCar2000TA;19662349]I was out of town when the motor was delivered, and my friend and brother-in-law unpacked it to check it out.
I was assuming it was a new motor from these statements. I may be wrong.
[QUOTE=FCar2000TA;19662102]I got a longblock for my wife's car, but it's too hot outside to install it right now.
[QUOTE=FCar2000TA;19662349]I was out of town when the motor was delivered, and my friend and brother-in-law unpacked it to check it out.
I was assuming it was a new motor from these statements. I may be wrong.
06-30-2017, 03:41 PM
#13
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Sorry, I previously assumed it was used based on the fact that you didn't state "new/rebuilt/crate motor" or anything like that. Many folks around here buy used LS longblocks (often from trucks) for various swap projects, so I just assumed that's what you meant.