Thread: 10 year old rebuild BB 427

Tweet

I have a 454 block, 402 crank, rods, and oval port heads, and 30 over 427 pistons with my 100 cc heads should be at about 9:8 to 1. I had the heads flowed on the intake side with bigger valves and port matched the intake. Balanced the assembly. It has a wild cam but it has sat in the garage for ten years. I want to install an rv cam and put it in my 4x4 plow truck. It was only turned over every couple of years. Will I need to dismantle the engine and hone the cylinders over again or can I liberally oil the cyls. and turn it over with a starter and run it? Your input would be appreciated.

Brian Cunningham Horseheads, NY

If it was stored inside all that time I'd just oil the cylinders, drive the oil pump with a drill and go for it!

http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...D&ProdID=25140
This tool will close off the oil galley so that you get oil to the driver and passenger rockers. Prime for several minutes while your buddy turns the crank slowly with a socket and long handle.

When done priming, remove #1 spark plug and turn motor over at the crank while your buddy holds his thumb over the spark plug hole. When he feels pressure from the #1 piston coming up in the bore, start looking at the damper and bring the piston up to 12 degrees BTDC. Install the dizzy with the rotor pointing at 5:30 O'Clock. Run #1 plug wire from that 5:30 position. Continue plugging in wires around the cap clockwise according to the firing order 1,8,4,3,6,5,7,2.

Thanks guys. I sprayed WD 40 in the cylinders a few times over the years and put the dummy plugs back in. A few years ago I pulled the intake as I had two lifters stuck, (they are new also) and pulled them, soaked them overnight and reinstalled them. I am looking at Lunati Voodoo rv cams, any good cam selections are appreciated.

BC, NY

Not to pick a fight with anyone, but I really have a “dislike” of WD-40 for anything with an engine. It works for squeaky doors and such, but WD-40 is not an engine lube. WD 40 evaporates and takes any oil that is on the cylinder walls. I have used it to clean, but then follow up with proper lubricant. I know some guys who think WD-40 is a curse word and they won’t even have a can in their shop….

In the case of engine storage (any engine, i.e., two stroke or four, single cylinder or V8), I recommend removing the spark plugs and spraying a bit of "fogging oil" (available at NAPA, Shucks, O’Brien’s or any such parts house) into each cylinder. When you have about a tablespoon of oil in each cylinder and with the plugs still out, turn the engine over by hand (with a bar and socket if necessary) for several revolutions. Re-install the spark plugs (hand tight) putting a little dab silicone grease on the threads and bingo – you’re good to store that puppy for a long time.

Don’t use WD-40 as an engine lubricant - it is a water displacement formula.

My two cents,
Glenn

I am with Glenn on the dislike of WD-40. At a machine shop I worked at I was always told stay away from WD-40 for any mild steel that will be sitting a long time. They were right, against my judgements of staying away for many years I sprayed down a 350 block I had on hold for a future day. It was a last minute thing and it was all I had. It sat for a year in a garbage bag in the garage. I opened it a few weeks ago and it is total crap. Solid rust, it couldnt have rusted more if I had just layed it outside the whole time. I had it hauled to the dump a few days ago.

I appreciate your advice, about a year ago I sprayed wd in the cyl thinking I would free up the rings. It has been in the garage all these years, (heated to 55). I will oil the cyls per your advice and prime it up before I set it in the frame.

Thanks for the advice, BC, NY

Thanks for your advice. It was about a year ago when I sprayed the cylinders. I will pull the plugs tommorow and put engine oil in the cyls as suggested. I will be installing it in the truck this spring after the cam change.

BC NY