Motor Storage Suggestions?

Marcus

Marcus

Well-known member
Gentlemen - I have acquired a Hi-Po 289, and built C4 (totally complete, carb to pan, fan to rear of trans); very little mileage since a professional total rebuild (and I drove the car before the motor/trans was pulled). My question: since I don't yet know what I will do with it, what I will put it in or how long it will take for those decisions to be made, how should I maintain it? it is on an engine stand that does not interfere with the headers or transmission: I am thinking of simply attaching a battery periodically, and turning the motor over without trying to start it. Good idea or bad? Suggestions otherwise?
 
hi Marcus, you state that it is a Hi-Po 289, so it probably has some
pretty good valve springs. I would turn the engine over about 1/4
of a revolution, once a month, to relieve the tension on the
springs. That should keep the springs in equally good condition for
the storage period.
Just use a breaker bar and socket on the front crank pulley bolt.







.
 
Thank you, Lanny and Jeff: I already have the primer tool, just did not think of it! Good idea on relieving the pressure on the springs, as well: it is close to being what we used to call a "full-race" motor, and everything inside is built for that purpose.....just need to decide what to put it in.......sigh, just what I need, another project! (But the price was one of those "don't pass this up or you will regret it" deals.)
 
Some racers loosen the rocker nuts to close all the valves and relieve pressure on the springs. Also, in Mississippi, if you have dirt daubers around, I would seal it in a big bag. Put oily rags in the end of the headers, and in every hole you can find.
 
Carburetor, drain the fuel or the Jets will clog. I've heard of placing some oil in the cylinders, fresh oil and filter before storage. After 1st start and heat cycle, oil and filter change. Good time to take care of a freshen up, leaks? New paint? What else?
 
Thanks, guys: all good ideas and suggestions. Motor is in a controlled access garage (no dauber nests!). Completed service before removal. Motor never had anything except non-ethanol gas, but will drain the carb anyway - and looks brand new because it truly is! Came from a show car. All orifices blocked and no worries about rodents: wife has lots of cats (which I appreciate with 14 cars in my collection, and never worry about critters in the garages)!
 
Jeff - looks like more work than I want, but thanks for the post. Meridian is only 60 miles from me.......so, certainly a possibility. Seriously considering dropping the motor/trans into a 1952 International Harvester Pickup L-110 that is an airplane hanger find from several years ago. Truck is now flawless (body-wise), and I wanted to keep it all stock; however finding parts and pieces for the Diamond 220 has proven to be impossible ..... However, if I do that, I'll also have to change rear end, custom driveshaft and who knows what else.....oh well: keep those ideas coming!!
 

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I always pull the plugs and pump some Marvel Mystery Oil into the cylinders on engines that are not going to be ran for awhile. Cheep insurance to insure that the rings/pistons stay free in the cylinders.
 
Blucar: You and I think alike: did just exactly that! Three or four squirts in each cylinder; however, now thinking I might swap this dazzler for the stock 289 in my 68 GT Convertible which has an original 85K; put that motor in the IH as I intend to sell the IH anyway. I can hear the purists howling now .......
 
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