Cylinder wall Lubrication for short term storage?

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MICHAEL J KLOCK

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Hello!
I just received my short block back from Weston Machine. The cylinder heads won't being installed for a few weeks. What should I coat the cylinder walls with to prevent any rusting. I'm storing the block in my garage which is not heated. The block is doubled wrapped in plastic to keep it clean. Thanks in advance!
Mike

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Why doesn't anyone suggest motor oil? I think it has good properties to keep a cylinder wall protected?

Edit: to the OP... I wouldn't totally wrap your engine in plastic when it is in a dry place... totally wrapped up you have a good chance of condensation inside the plastic.
 
dodge71demon said:
Only if you want to rebuild the motor -- corrosive
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He said short term storage, wd 40 is what my engine machinist uses to prevent rust when he's done with the block.
I would certainly put some real motor oil on the cylinder walls before firing the motor again thou.
 
WD40 is not corrosive If you shake the can well before use it leaves a thin wax coating.
I've been spraying crankshafts down with it for years, I have 2 440 steel cranks and 3 340 steel cranks in my basement and I spray them down once every year and they look like the day i put them down there 20 years ago, also I know guys that use it on guns with no corrosion problems.
 
brian6pac said:
WD40 is not corrosive If you shake the can well before use it leaves a thin wax coating.
I've been spraying crankshafts down with it for years, I have 2 440 steel cranks and 3 340 steel cranks in my basement and I spray them down once every year and they look like the day i put them down there 20 years ago, also I know guys that use it on guns with no corrosion problems.
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I saw a tv commercial for another type of wd40 that is specifically made for long term storage but I never see it anywhere.
Anyone know where to buy it?
 
stixx said:
Why doesn't anyone suggest motor oil? I think it has good properties to keep a cylinder wall protected?

Edit: to the OP... I wouldn't totally wrap your engine in plastic when it is in a dry place... totally wrapped up you have a good chance of condensation inside the plastic.
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Run off during storage and you will get rust over a long period.
 
My personal favorite, use solvent/carb cleaner to clean cylinder walls before installing piston/ring assemblies, as it's loaded with paraffin based cosmoline and is very gummy.
Maxima Chain Wax | MotoSport
If you use a plastic bag, use a desiccant sock for a gun safe in it to dehumidify the air within.
 
Cosmoline would be best. LPS-3 is very good and in a spray can. For few weeks those would be overkill and more painful to clean up. Motor oil, ATF, or a heavy gear oil would do fine. WD 40 would probably work but it evaporates after a few weeks. I've had poor long term performance from it so why bother? In the spring when the temp swings and cast iron sweats and rusts, in my unheated garage I like to cover my lathe and mill and put a 60-100 watt trouble light under the cover. The heat from the lamp drives off any moisture that wants to accumulate on the cast iron. Machines have no rust in fifteen years.
 
Not that I know of, the big concerns are to use low sulfur/ash base oils to minimize corrosion and something tacky enough to hold to the cylinder walls. Lubriplate 105 motor assembly grease works pretty well too.
 
Good call on the LPS-3, have used it for long term bearing storage at the former workplace before but forgot the name of it.
 
Wow, guys it's a few weeks. Soak it in motor oil and cover it up. It will be fine. Plus you will have less clean up with motor oil. Long term would be different.
 
Hellrats said:
Wow, guys it's a few weeks. Soak it in motor oil and cover it up. It will be fine. Plus you will have less clean up with motor oil. Long term would be different.
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Best laid plans of mice and men........short term intentions often times results in long term reality. :(
 
Based on some comments here or moparts, I bought a spray can of Boeshield T9 to use on a stored engine. Seems like pretty good stuff for a thin film of protective coating. LPS-3 is definately good if you want a thick coating of waxy material.
 
The same motor oil your going to run during break in is fine for short term storage. By the way, great looking build you got there, what kind of heads are you going to run on that?
 
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