Engine Storage

[Bob]

What is the best way to store/preserve an engine if it is going to be on an engine stand for about a year after rebuild?

Thanks
Bob

[DC_1]

Some people use WD40 but it evaporates eventually. Personally I would not seal it in a plastic bag either for long term storage unless you had some kind of dessicant material to place in the bag. The plastic bag will seal in existing moisture and prevent moisture from escaping. I would paint the block and then grease the cylinder walls, cam journals, bearing surfaces, lifter bores, and fuel pump rod hole. Then cover it with a sheet and hopefully keep it somewhere without large temperature fluctuations that will see lots of moisture being created.

My 

[Bob]

Some people use WD40 but it evaporates eventually. Personally I would not seal it in a plastic bag either for long term storage unless you had some kind of dessicant material to place in the bag. The plastic bag will seal in existing moisture and prevent moisture from escaping. I would paint the block and then grease the cylinder walls, cam journals, bearing surfaces, lifter bores, and fuel pump rod hole. Then cover it with a sheet and hopefully keep it somewhere without large temperature fluctuations that will see lots of moisture being created.

My 

Thanks. The engine is completed already and on the stand. Should the spark plugs be removed and something sprayed in?

[Ghoste]

Yes.  I thought there was a product designed just for this but you definitely need something fogged in there. 

[DC_1]

Some people use WD40 but it evaporates eventually. Personally I would not seal it in a plastic bag either for long term storage unless you had some kind of dessicant material to place in the bag. The plastic bag will seal in existing moisture and prevent moisture from escaping. I would paint the block and then grease the cylinder walls, cam journals, bearing surfaces, lifter bores, and fuel pump rod hole. Then cover it with a sheet and hopefully keep it somewhere without large temperature fluctuations that will see lots of moisture being created.

My 

Thanks. The engine is completed already and on the stand. Should the spark plugs be removed and something sprayed in?

Oh, Sorry, I thought it was not together yet and you were wanting to store the machined block.....my bad   

[tan top]

 if it were me

remove or slacken off the rockers ,  so it will  release tension on the lifters (if hydraulic )  & valve springs & all valves close , squirt some engine oil in each bore , also  squirt wd40 in the bores too ,  ever so often  & turn the motor over with a breaker  bar every few weeks  . block up all holes / ports . & cover  whole motor .

when your ready to  use the motor , bring each cylinder up to TDC  blast some wd40 in there & give it a blow out  with compressed air ,  ( if new cam been fitted & not broken in  ! ) remove the intake , & check break in lube on cam & re apply if necessary  , make sure the lifters still move freely & not dry ,  fill the valley between the lifter bores up with oil so its just  trickling over the edge on to the cam , refit rockers , & intake , pre oil the motor as normal .

[Bob]

if it were me

remove or slacken off the rockers ,  so it will  release tension on the lifters (if hydraulic )  & valve springs & all valves close , squirt some engine oil in each bore , also  squirt wd40 in the bores too ,  ever so often  & turn the motor over with a breaker  bar every few weeks  . block up all holes / ports . & cover  whole motor .

when your ready to  use the motor , bring each cylinder up to TDC  blast some wd40 in there & give it a blow out  with compressed air ,  ( if new cam been fitted & not broken in  ! ) remove the intake , & check break in lube on cam & re apply if necessary  , make sure the lifters still move freely & not dry ,  fill the valley between the lifter bores up with oil so its just  trickling over the edge on to the cam , refit rockers , & intake , pre oil the motor as normal .

Very good.
Thank you