Engine built, storing until startup questions

[StealthBird]

Have a rebuilt engine sitting on a stand. Everything is new, never been fired. It has to sit in an unheated garage until Spring, and temps in the garage can get into the 20's and 30's.

Any recommendations on what to do for safe storage?

Put oil in it now, or wait?

Cover with a plastic bag?

Fog the cylinders?

Want to keep condensation out, and that dreaded enemy called rust away. Was told to use a magnetic heater on the oil pan, fill with oil, and fog the cylinders.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[budnate]

oil prime it really well fog cyls,I would build a small enclosure around it and setup a small plug in heater with the thermastat on it to try and keep it dry and a little warm, condensation never sleeps.

[njsteve]

If it has a flat tappet cam you seriously risk wiping the cam out after storing it without having run the cam in first. This exact scenario happened to me with the engine in my Z11 Camaro. While it sits, the cam lube is going to drip off and no longer be effective when you need it. I would either get it started first and then store it, or remove the intake once you get it out of storage and relube the camshaft and litters prior to firing it up in the spring.

As for temperature, the thing that causes condensation is a rapid change in temp/humidity. If the garage is going to be 20 degrees the whole time and not change, that is ok. But if there is going to be a constant flow of traffic in and out with the temp rising and falling frequently, that's when the rust starts. If you have ever seen the front brakes on a car in cold storage, after the first rainy warm day when you open the garage door, you will see that they instantly surface rust right before your eyes.

[kwhizz]

you will see that they instantly surface rust right before your eyes.


Just like the Chrysler cars of the mid-60's................LOL


Ken

[Salvatore]

and Chevy pick-ups of the early 70's. For that matter all Chevies through the 90's! Cheaper and better to put heat in the garage then to rebuild the whole motor.

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kwhizz</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> you will see that they instantly surface rust right before your eyes.


Just like the Chrysler cars of the mid-60's................LOL


Ken </div></div>

Hey, I resemble that remark...or at least some of the cars I've owned, do. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif