YUP--- 
How long can an engine sit untouched?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,184
Likes: 28
From: Orange County, CA
How long can an engine sit untouched? I am going to check out a LT1 engine to replace the one I fried in my 97SS. The engine has been in storage for 4 years. It has 45k miles and it ran strong before stored. Should it still be in running condition after it has been sitting untouched for so long? Thanks for your help.
what conditions was it stored in? I bought a longblock from a friend and it sat in his garage for 9 months. Uncovered and not in any kind of way stored. Everything still had oil on it except the lifter valley.
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
It SHOULD be ok. I would turn it over by hand first. I'm not sure how to prime it on an LT1 w/ the intake on, but if it MUST come off to do it, I think you should.
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TECH Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 443
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From: tampa
i would do as stated and shoot some oil down the cylinders. put new fuel in for sure. i would probably remove the belt and try spinning all accessories by hand to make sure nothing has seized up on you, then turn it by hand and if all checks out, you should be in the clear.
a few years back I had a boat that the motor was junk so I found one that was sitting for little more then a year so I installed it and long story short it spun a rod bearing. I should have inspected better and thrown in a new oil pump. but back then I just wanted to get it runing so I can sell it.
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,564
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From: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
If it seems to be seized up, go buy some Marvel's Mystery Oil (or trans fluid if you're cheap lol) and put a liberal amount in each cylinder. And my own long story short: Buddy had a high mileage 305 from a Blazer that was locked up from sitting, did just that, waited a day or so and it broke loose 
And yes, inspect it for mice or traces of mice being around. Things chewed up, wires, hoses, you'll want replaced!
And yes, inspect it for mice or traces of mice being around. Things chewed up, wires, hoses, you'll want replaced!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,184
Likes: 28
From: Orange County, CA
Ok, I talked to the seller again and he says that he has put wd40 and oil in the cylinders atleast once a year and that the engine was sealed in a plastic bag. Things aren't as bad as I thought. I'm still going to check it out thoroughly.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,255
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From: centerville, ohio
My engine sat for 5 years in a garage before I did my swap. The only problem I had were the injectors. They varnished up. I made a jig and cleaned them, put them in and it started right up. That was 8 years ago.
