Do I need to remove cam plug and how do I store the crank?

[WH23G3G]

Ok I worked on it all afternoon and my 400 engine is fully disassembled. Nothing was too difficult. The hardest thing was getting the number 6 piston out, found out the bore was just too dry, there is no ridge on any cylinders. The other thing that was kinda difficult was getting the main bearing caps up, but not much of problem. The good thing is nothing was damaged and everything looks useable. The cam I wasn't worried about so I got it out and just tossed it aside. I will get a new one. There is however a cam plug on the back of the block. Neither one of my engine rebuild manuals says anything about this. Does it need to come out? The other thing I'm worried about is crankshaft storage. I don't have anywhere safe to store it on end in my garage. There's so many people in an out of there that don't know or care about anything the car, so it will get knocked over. I have temporarily laying in a basket of full of old towels. Is this ok to store it like that? I did a basic cleaning on the block and then oiled with WD40 the main bearing saddles, bores, and lifter bores. The next step is to take it to a machine shop, have it checked to see if it just needs a hone, clean it, and put in new cam bearings.

[firefighter3931]

You might as well remove all the galley plugs and freeze plugs before it goes to the machineshop...or they will do it and charge you. Once you get the block back from machining install new brass freeze plugs before you shoot the paint on it.

No problems storing the crankshaft the way you have it boxed up.


Ron