Thread: Time between build and break-in

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I am getting ready to put together my 383. The car (32 hi boy) probably won't be ready to break in the motor for another year or so. Will the engine be OK to sit there looking pretty? Will the assembly lube stay put for that long?

Originally posted by Randall
I am getting ready to put together my 383. The car (32 hi boy) probably won't be ready to break in the motor for another year or so. Will the engine be OK to sit there looking pretty? Will the assembly lube stay put for that long?

Yes,it will be fine.Just make sure you back off all the valves.I would spray something like WD-40 in all the spark plug holes and re-install them.Don't forget to pre-lube the engine when you go to start it.

There I pulled my post. Now it's all yours.

JMO,

Don

Originally posted by Itoldyouso
I'd lay it up like we store a boat engine. Fog the cylinders (special fogging oil is available at all marine stores, and it stays in place well) or CRC 656, or WD40.

If you want to get real safe about it, loosen each rocker arm to take the load off of the valve springs. And generally, just spray the heck out of everything with an anti corrosion spray. After spraying, put the plugs back in, and change the oil after a long lay up (acid forms in the oil)

JMO,

Don

I thought I just said that.

You and I were evidently typing at the same time, because there was no post when I first looked at it, then when I hit the submit button you were on there. Wasn't trying to step on any toes.

Geesh.............................

Don

Originally posted by Itoldyouso
You and I were evidently typing at the same time, because there was no post when I first looked at it, then when I hit the submit button you were on there. Wasn't trying to step on any toes.

Geesh.............................

Don

OH,sorry.

You know, it isn't easy to hold a beer in one hand and type with the other.

I'M DOING THE BEST I CAN !!!!

Don

Think I'll jump over to Ebay and buy something Hot Roddie.

Originally posted by Itoldyouso
You know, it isn't easy to hold a beer in one hand and type with the other.

I'M DOING THE BEST I CAN !!!!

Don

You know, they make those hats that hold two beers and the straws.That is what I am using.

my engine sat for 3+ years . Runs like a champ. I use to worry about the same thing. I never even backed off the valves.

i wonder if my old nailhead thats been sitting for 15 years since rebuild will just fire right up

Sure! Just steer clear of the header pipe for when that mouse comes shooting out!

hahaha yeah... exactly what i'm afraid of... the way my old shed is, theres all sorts of rodents and spiders..... probably shoot flames from cobwebs for the first week.... i need to get an old buick for that baby... like a 53 hardtop.... mmmmmm

Eric---I question the wisdom of using wd40 in the cylinders. wd40 is a good penetrating oil, but it dries away to nothing in a reasonably short time. For a year long layup on a new motor, I would prefer using a 10-30 engine oil in the cylinders. I would put 5 or 6 squirts of oil down each plug hole. and then with plugs out I would use a set of jumper cables to the starter and let the engine roll over for about 20 seconds to distribute the oil throughout the cylinders well, then put the plugs in and store it.

I would definetly go with the suggestion of backing off the rockers so the springs aren't compressed. I didn't do that when I sat my motor up for about 2.5 years. I primed her up real good till I got oil up to the rockers. Well I finally fired it up and spun the 3 center cam bearings. Learned my lesson. Now I did have a solid roller with some pretty stiff spring tensions. Lighter springs but not be as bad, and who knows the engine might have spun the cam bearings even if it didn't sit up for so long. But it sure can't hurt to back them rockers off.

Eric---I question the wisdom of using wd40 in the cylinders



Brianrupnow is correct about WD 40 going away. We use Fogging Oil that sprays but is thicker and designed for long term storage of engines. CRC 656 comes in 2nd place, and is ok too.

Don