Long term engine storage- best practice?

[JC220]

Hi all,

When you wish to hoard a spare engine what is the collective thoughts on the best way to preserve it?

Oil in or out? Tape off all openings? Oil fogger spray?

I have a mix of m119 and m104 engines spare so dealing with both aluminium and cast iron cylinders.

Turn by hand or on starter?

General pointers would be appreciated! I need to prep a couple of engines now this coming week for long term safe storage.

 

[gerryvz]

Try to keep them out of a humid environment -- a dry basement or other dry storage with a constant temp would be helpful to minimise external corrosion. Other than that, sealing off the openings would be important. I'm not sure you can do much more. Perhaps drain coolant from the block. I would leave oil in,

I have a metal protectant spray called "Boeshield" (developed by The Boeing Company for aircraft parts) that is designed to provide a slight oily coating for the surfaces of metal that is being stored. May be hard to get this in the UK, but I thought I'd mention it. I get it on Amazon. I turned @emerydc8 on to it; I should probably mention it to our pal Triple Trouble, seeing as he's a Boeing guy.

https://www.amazon.com/BOESHIELD-Corrosion-Protection-Waterproof-Lubrication/dp/B001447PEK

 

[LWB250]

I used to write and test procedures for long term storage ("pickling") of engines and electrical equipment. What do you want to know?

I can give you the short description or details. I presume these engines are not currently operational?

Dan

 

[JC220]

I used to write and test procedures for long term storage ("pickling") of engines and electrical equipment. What do you want to know?

I can give you the short description or details. I presume these engines are not currently operational?

Dan

Hi Dan,

Yes I am referring to engines which are complete and not in a vehicle. So they could be sitting for 5 or 10 years say before being checked over, re-sealed and installed in a car.

Basically what people think would work best.

Eg pull cam cover and paint cams with assembly grease - fog bores and leave it. Aka not intending to turn it.

VS spinning it on the starter every year or so until oil is seen coming out at cams looking through filler cap for instance.

Just general collective input as to what members think is beneficial for the engine long term

 

[gsxr]

Joe, I think it partially depends on WHERE the loose engine will be stored... indoors in a dry environment, or outdoors in the wet (or high humidity)? Additional precautions would be prudent for the latter. Indoors/dry I don't think anything special is needed but I'd still like to rotate the crank by hand a few times every year or so just to move things around inside.

 

[JC220]

Joe, I think it partially depends on WHERE the loose engine will be stored... indoors in a dry environment, or outdoors in the wet (or high humidity)? Additional precautions would be prudent for the latter. Indoors/dry I don't think anything special is needed but I'd still like to rotate the crank by hand a few times every year or so just to move things around inside.

In my case and likely for most people the engine would be stored indoors Dave and kept dry at all times. I have a block built garage with cavity walls so it's dry albeit unheated.

 

[JC220]

I used to write and test procedures for long term storage ("pickling") of engines and electrical equipment. What do you want to know?

I can give you the short description or details. I presume these engines are not currently operational?

Dan

Any further Input on this Dan please? Sounded like you might have more to add thats all.....

 

[JC220]

I have 2x m104s to prep for storage tomorrow. I intend to:

1. Refill with engine oil and prime filter housing.
2. Remove spark plugs.
3. Put some oil down into cylinders too.
4. Spin on starter motor until oil is seen under filler cap meaning oil galleries are full and bearings have fresh oil.
5. A little more oil in bores and re-install spark plugs finger tight.
6. Stuff all openings with clean rags
7. Wrap in black plastic and roll under a shelf in a dry garage where it will sit and be turned on starter annually thereafter.

If there are additional suggestions I'm all ears but this will be done within 24 hrs so dont hang about

 

[gerryvz]

Faff faff faff ....