Thread: Engine storage

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After I get the oil pump and pan, get the bottom end buttoned up, this project will be on hold. Whats the best way to store it? I will rub all machined surfaces down with 10w40 motor oil and rap in plastic. The thing I want to stop is the moisture forming on the block when the weather changes. Any ideas? heat lamp?

Use axle grease and then bag it in a couple of HD garbage bags. The 454 I used for mock up in Bad Ast has been on the unheated side of my shop for 15 years. When I got it I smeared axle grease in all of the cylinders and all of the machined surfaces. Axle grease will not run off like motor oil or burn off like WD40. It looked just like the day I bagged it when I rolled it out a few weeks ago.
Mark

If you can find it get 1 oz. packs of Camphor and put them in the bag. before sealing. Just tear the wraper a little they will absorb all the moisture inside. I used them all the time in my tool boxs on the truck and in the shop.....Nice dry tools
I find it a drug stores

Originally Posted by Evolvo

Coating steel with WD40 and then sealing it in a plastic bag will CAUSE, no prevent rust. Coating with grease is probably your best bet.

. WD-40 is good for freeing up rusted bolts and that is about all.

Ya, thanks guys. I used wd40 after I had machine work done, and block sat for a long time-in basement-the block cleaned up ok , had to have the crank polished to get it clean. And Im not carring that thing back into the basement. My garage is dry, but one cool snap and dew on all metal surfaces. Might pick up old dehumidifier? Will do the grease and dry packs.

Got some 8oz drierite desiccant bags from work to place in the bag befor close up. Enyone use these?

I used a box of desiccant that is used to keep guns dry. The box had an indicator on the bottom to tell when it was getting damp. I also double bagged the engine. Every 4 months I'd open the bags and check the desiccant. Machine surfaces were sprayed with WD. No rust after 3 years. If you let the desiccant go too long it will start dripping water. Don't put it against machined surfaces.

I never went crazy when I have had to store an engine. If you have the bottom end, timing cover, and fuel pump access covered, you are mostly there. If you have heads on it along with valve covers as well as an intake - better yet. It doesn't sound like you have heads on it, so my way is to use a light grease like Vaseline and spread a thin coating on the blocks head surface and any exposed cylinder wall, sealing the piston tops to the wall. Then lay a very thin, .003" for instance, plastic sheet on top and tape it in place then put a plastic bag on it to keep the dirt off. Cheap. moisture resistant and easy to remove. Lastly, keep it inside and under cover - mine go in my basement - and I have an aching back to show for it every time

When you bag it take a vaccum cleaner and suck the air out, seal it.