Thread: When to put motor together?

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Hope this doesn't sound like a dumb question.
But I am getting close to having all the work done and parts needed before I assemble the motor,bolt on converter and trans.and install it in the truck.
Thought I would ask for a few suggestions about how long to let it sit in the truck before final bolt on's and starting it.
Do you schedule or arrange it so you can start it soon after final assembly or do you sometimes wait a month or longer?
I ask due to lube/oil run-off of cylinder walls,bearings drying off,cam drying,etc., or do you always pre-lube with a drill?
I always 'over do it' with lube,STP,and oil but this one may have to sit a month or so before starting.

I've got one in the bag for 3 years now, and occasionally shoot some lube down the cylinders and spin it over by hand. If you used a good cam and bearing lube and oiled the cylinders well, you should be fine for extended storage. For real long storage though remove the rocker arms to let the springs relax.

Don

I normally like to fire them very shortly after they are put together but like Don I have also had built engines that sat for extended periods of time prior to the initial startup. The FE in my 64 sat on a stand for 5 years priot to the initial startup.

ALWAYS pre lube prior to startup.

The engine is always about the last thing I do. One of the reasons for this is if the engine is in the car, everyone and there brother has to ask "have you fired it yet?".... Another reason is I don't like anything in the shop to have gasoline in it one minute longer then is necessary! I've seen shops that were the victim of a flash fire from gas, not a pretty sight!

we have flash fires in the shop weekly, ussually burrito day

Mine sat in the car for 3-1/2 years. I used a drill to prime the oiling system, and turned it over a few times with the starter before firing to watch the oil pressure come up. Then I lit it off. No problem.

People kept asking "when are you going to start it?" My answer: I'll start it when I'm ready to drive it.

I think if you used proper lubes on assembly, you can let one sit in most any stage for fairly long periods, as long as you protect it from dirt and such. Just be sure to pre-oil/pressurize with a drill motor a short time before you fire it for the first time. I, too, have had one sit in short block form for over two years, while I was doing other stuff and accumulating funds to finish it. I usually won't stuff one in the car, though, until it all is ready to be run in fairly short order.

I plan to wait til the bitter end. Use mock up block/heads/whatever else is nes. to get the car done without engine assembly. I hope to dyno the engine, drop it in and go shortly after. If the finished engine is setting in the car, I know there would be a rush to get the car done. I don't plan to rush.

Originally Posted by pro70z28

I plan to wait til the bitter end. Use mock up block/heads/whatever else is nes. to get the car done without engine assembly. I hope to dyno the engine, drop it in and go shortly after. If the finished engine is setting in the car, I know there would be a rush to get the car done. I don't plan to rush.

Yup....Seen a lot of guys spend all their $$$$ on the engine, then cut corners, skimp, hurry, and cobble on the rest of the build!!!! Never could figure out a good reason to have all the $$$$ wrapped up in an engine before the car was ready for it....