Thanks for all the great ideas..........now I'm totally confused! I think I'll fill a drum with diesel drop the block in, wrap it in glad wrap, seal it in garbage bags, then bury it in my basement until 2027 when the sun is in line with Mars. Just kidding of course....)
I smeared every surface with wheel bearing grease and then wrapped the block in a big blanket and then sealed it in two big plastic bags. Been like that for years and it's still fine. Engine block is on an engine stand away from the garage door. Did the same for the crank stored on end near the water heater. I guess I could have left the crank in the block too.