I have finally decided to start putting work back into my LS1 swap on my '70 Camaro. The engine and transmission have been sitting for ~15 years now, and before I start trying to get them into the car I figured now is the time to see if there is anything I should do with them so that when I finally get it going they won't immediately die. The engine had about 40k on it when I got it, and I put a new cam, springs, pushrods and oil pump in it about 15 years ago. The transmission is a 200-4R that was built by Extreme Automatics, also about 15 years ago.

Any suggestions?

 

I'd put some Marvel Mystery Oil in the spark plug holes and make sure it turns over. Hopefully no rust built up after sitting that long.

 

I think the concern would be more about the storage conditions than storage duration. My '74 Cutlass sat for about 15 years also before I bought it, original engine and trans had ~42k miles on them. I've now been driving it for over three years and the engine is still as tight as a drum, doesn't make a peep nor burn a drop of oil.

But I agree about a spritz of oil in the cylinders and turning it over by hand first. Should be fine if it was a dry environment though.

 

In addition to the advice above, I'd at least change the engine oil and filter. You might also spin the motor over vigorously - without spark ignition or fuel - to check the oil pressure before making attempts to actually start the motor. Use an oil pressure gauge kit from Autometer and don't depend on the idiot light.

Rick

 

Thanks for all the advice. It's been in my shop in central California the entire time, mostly sitting in the car. The engine turned pretty easily while I was trying to torque the flywheel down, so hopefully that's a good sign. I'll try some oil in the cylinders just to be on the safe side, though.

 

I would use one of those garden hand pump sprayers to build up oil pressure before start up . . there are videos on Youtube that show the process. Easy and cheap way to get oil to the top of the engine before first start.