Engine parts storage

[mattmctree@gmail.com]

I've got a spare engine that got knocked over and all fluids came out on the garage floor oops. I'm thinking I tearing the whole thing apart and putting it into containers for storage . Any suggestions on getting rid of surface rust from parts and how to store parts and block and head to prevent them from getting rusted and not useable

[r1lark]

I know from experience that a disassembled engine takes up a lot more room and is much harder to move around. And in my mind, the individual pieces are much harder to keep from rusting. If the engine has been together and fairly well sealed up, I would keep it together. Pull the plugs, pour your choice of oil in the cylinders (I like Marvel Mystery Oil), let it soak down around the rings, then rotate the engine thru about 10 revolutions. Then put some more in the cylinders (or a heavier 30 weight oil) and put the plugs back in tight. Pull the valve cover and pour some 30 wt over the rocker and springs, and replace the valve cover. Drain all the cooling system, get as much out as you can. Seal up all the holes - intake, exhaust, cooling system, etc to keep moisture and critters out. Dont use duct tape - it dries out and crumbles, your best bet is metal plates or hard plastic (even wood can be used) with gasket material underneath. The carb is hard to seal, I usually pull it and make a thin metal plate with gasket to cover the intake. The carb can than be either stored separately for protection, or set back onto the intake over the plate. A big zip lock freezer bag to put the carb in keeps it clean. You can make an engine stand using scrap wood and used or cheap casters so it can be rolled around if it gets in your way.

If you do disassemble it, I like the Cosmoline waxy spray for protecting machined parts long term. The plastic bins with covers that are sold at discount stores are good for storing parts. Be careful, the big ones can get really heavy when loaded with a lot of parts. Store the block in a big thick construction trash bag (get the thickest ones you can find at the 'Big Box' home improvement stores). Harbor Freight and similar stores have cheap furniture moving dollys that you can put the block on to be able to move it around. (I've used four of these to roll cars around in my basement )

Paul