I Need to Store an Engine and Transmission for a period of time

[Bill Balkie 24172]

I recently Purchased a original 1957 Cadillac Engine and Transmission .Complete with Starter , Generator , carburetor , Air Cleaner , Etc.  the complete  setup .  Fortunately i do not need them for my 57 Cadillac because it runs just fine after having the Engine completely rebuilt about 3 years ago .  It cost me 900.00 Plus 210.00 for shipping . at total Price of 1,110.10 .I was told the engine and trans has a total of 62,000 miles and ran very well . this comes from a reliable source . I  have no plan to rebuild the engine or transmission  at this time , but want to store it for the future , in case i might need it . It is in a climate controlled environment . I have built stands for the Engine and trans so they can be moved with very little effort . So far the only thing i have done was remove the Generator , starter , and plugs to make sure the engines turns over . everything look OK . any suggestions to keep this engine and trans stored so it does not Seize up or any other problems that can be avoided from being stored . 
I have added a Picture

[TJ Hopland]

Are you hoping to be able to just put this engine in a car and run it at some point?   Or do you just want to keep it from getting rusty so that perhaps it will just need a teardown, cleanup, and new gaskets to put back into service?

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Hello TJ... that is a good question. However  i am not 100% sure at this time .
I guess that is why i am asking the question . Right now i am glad i have this engine  and trans . i do not want to get this thing rebuilt now and have it setting for years .  I just want to perserve what i have now .  I feel good knowing that i have it just in case .

Are you hoping to be able to just put this engine in a car and run it at some point?   Or do you just want to keep it from getting rusty so that perhaps it will just need a teardown, cleanup, and new gaskets to put back into service?

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

If you are going to store it for a long time, then I would be advising you to remove the Spark Plugs and squirt some oil into the cylinders, and replace the plugs.

Then remove the Rocker Covers and loosen the Rocker shafts to remove all pressure from the open Valves, so that all Valves are fully seated on their seats, and the Springs are at their widest position.   This will save the springs of the open valves from just sitting fully or partially  compressed.

Bruce.

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Thank you Bruce , That makes a lot of sence to me .I like the idea of taking the pressure off the springs , but how about turning the crank once a month  With the rockers loose . Good or Bad Idea ?

If you are going to store it for a long time, then I would be advising you to remove the Spark Plugs and squirt some oil into the cylinders, and replace the plugs.

Then remove the Rocker Covers and loosen the Rocker shafts to remove all pressure from the open Valves, so that all Valves are fully seated on their seats, and the Springs are at their widest position.   This will save the springs of the open valves from just sitting fully or partially  compressed.

Bruce.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Thank you Bruce , That makes a lot of sence to me .I like the idea of taking the pressure off the springs , but how about turning the crank once a month  With the rockers loose . Good or Bad Idea ?   

I personally think it is a bad idea, as any turning of the crank, unless to start the engine and run it, is going to cause the rings to scrape the cylinder walls, and the bearings to rub themselves on the crankshaft journals as there is no oil pressure being built up to take the bearings away from the Crank, or oil thrown up from the Crank to lubricate the Cylinder Walls.

Rotating the Crank by hand will go more damage than good.

It is hard enough rotating the crankshaft as the engine is being assembled, but the use of a pre-lube grease helps protect the bearings and Cam Lobes/Lifters, and the Piston and Rings are fully covered with fresh oil.

Bruce.

[TJ Hopland]

What if one was to crank it with the starter long enough to build oil pressure after a squirt or 2 of oil into the cylinders?   This assumes that the configuration is such that it can have the starter mounted without the transmission.

[Bill Balkie 24172]

When i said i crank the engine , it is by turning the crank pulley with a wrench . .. What would be the best type of oil to use into the spark plugs.

What one was to crank it with the starter long enough to build oil pressure after a squirt or 2 of oil into the cylinders?   This assumes that the configuration is such that it can have the starter mounted without the transmission.

[Bill Balkie 24172]

What would be the best type of oil to squirt into the spark plug holes ?  Also should this engine be wrapped in a plastic  sheet ? Good or Bad Idea ?   I called a couple of transmission shops and asked them if they could check out the the trans ..   They both responded with the same answer ... we do not check the trans out of the car you would have to pay for a rebuild ..    The trans oil smells unburnt and is nice and bright red .   So i guess i will take my chances , if i ever need a transmission I'll try it out the way it is .  Happy Thanksgiving to All .   Bill

[TJ Hopland]

I was just posing the question about cranking it with the starter to see what others opinions would be.   Me personally would never remember to regularly do anything to a stored engine. 

Lately for engine assembly and storage I have been using straight Lucas oil additive.  I got that tip from a shop I had some work done in.   Its pretty sticky stuff so I assume the theory is it will stick longer than regular oil.   

[dadscad]

You stated you are going to store the engine and transmission in a climate controlled area. That's a good move, it will help to prevent condensation forming from rapid temperature and humidity swings. If it were mine, I don't think I'd wrap either unit in plastic. Even in a controlled environment, this would trap moisture and not allow air circulation to help it to evaporate quickly. I think covering it with towels/blankets or something that would breath but keep dust and dirt out would be a better way to go. Maybe someone will chime in with better knowledge on storage for engines and transmissions.

HTH,
David

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Wrapping anything in plastic is a no-no.   A bit like covering a car with a cheap Blue tarp that one buys at the supermarkets.   I call these the Blue Tarps of Death, as many a vehicle with good paint will not have it any more when the cover is pulled off.   Better off leaving it uncovered.

I once purchased an engine that hadn't been used for a long time, and it was stored in a bloke's garage, and was covered securely in a blanket, and old carpet and when the covers were removed, it was perfect.   No rust, corrosion of the Aluminium pieces, and looked as though it had been removed from the car yesterday.

Cover it up, but to keep out dirt and muck, not to seal it from the environment completely, because any moisture inside the covering will eventually ruin it.

Bruce.

[Jeff Maltby 4194]

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