Long Term Engine Storage

My 340 was finished a couple years ago by a close and competent friend. This engine has been stored in my shop here in Phoenix, AZ since. I asked my friend how long I could store the engine without worry and his answer was "indefinitely". Knowing nothing lasts for ever, I'm thinking I should start spinning it. If I add oil and spin the oil pump every now and then , won't this eventually "wash" the asssembly lube away? I know some guys squirt WD etc. into ports and plug holes. It is dry here in the desert but still...

I'd like to hear opinions/experiences.

Much Thanks

I'm in kinda' the same boat. My engine builder (Damon Kuhn, Diamondback Engines), whom I respect a LOT, told me to put a socket on the crank bolt and rotate the engine 1 revolution once a month. That will keep things loose without wiping away the assembly lube. The engine is on a stand with plastic wrap around it to keep the bugs and stuff out of it.

That sounds like a plan. Thanks much

Priming the oil with a drill won't cause enough splash/wash to wipe away all the important lube.
Don't use WD for anything but washing water off of parts.

When an engine is running, motor oil does a good job of keeping engines well lubed and clean - use motor oil to lube cylinder walls, etc.

Single-grade oils (straight 30w) sticks better and doesn't tend to flow away and can be used for longer term storage. Pick up some single-grade from a local airport - those engines are critical pieces of machinery that spend 90% of their time stored outside in the weather.. the lubes and oils used are pretty good at preventing rust on internal parts while they sit.

Otherwise, try to keep it stored in a place that doesn't see humidity or large temperature swings (which can create condensation). Probably not a huge issue in Phoenix most of the time - even during monsoon season the block isn't likely to get cold enough to condense water onto. If the bag around the engine is 'sealed', then I'd definitely add some sort of desiccant pack inside.

My engine builder said that a one year storage would be OK. I would be concerned about any storage longer than that. If heads were not on it, I would really oil it up with a rag of engine oil and seal it tightly with a plastic bag.

Ive got heads on and an intake. So I pulled it down this morning, un bagged it, pulled valve covers etc. everything looked perfect so I shot oil on push rods etc., in plug holes and ports and spun it a couple times. Going to keep this up each month. next time maybe i'll get the scope out for fun.

Thanks

You can also spray some fogging oil into each cylinder. Sta-bil and AMSOIL are probably the most common mfgrs. That stuff is intended for these situations exactly. I'm in the same boat as you guys, my 340 is waiting on me to get my car done!

STP will cling/ protect like forever if you run b4 you store with fresh oil
synthetic oil does not loose light components like dyno oil
condense nation is the killer you did paint the inside of the block with glyptol, right?
(not rustoleum)
never hurts to re revlube the lifters b4 fire up especially if motor has never been fired but turned over
some assembly lubes are stickier than others get a clingy one, some pastes work well but do not cling

I have been using this with great results on distributors on the shelves. works fantastically, no issues at all. Some sit for 4-5 years also. Basically lanolin. Just fyi

I have a motor ive stored for the last 20 years, i pulled the intake, pour/rubbed engine oil in the intake ports and exhaust. (reinstalled intake) i removed the spark plugs, poured oil in the cylinders and hand spun the motor. I do this every other year.