Storing a Rebuilt Flathead

H

hulleywoodworking

Member
Now that my flathead has been rebuilt and is ready to run, I need to know how to store it for approx. 6 months to a year. I have to rebuild the chassis, transmission, and rear end before I can install the motor. What do I need to do?

Thanks.

John
 
I would fill it with oil. Rotate the whole engine 360 to get the oil well distributed. Cover any holes (intake etc.) Wrap in plastic and let her sit.
 
I concur with the previous post. An additional consideration if you elect to wrap/seal in plastic is to add a desiccant inside the wrap to absorb moisture/humidity which should cut down on moisture-accelerated corrosion. You should be able to find these at a hardware store or online in various forms.
 
I filled mine up with oil "completely" up into the valley to cover the lifters and valves as high as I could fill with oil right up to the top of the block but not into the intake manifold. Be sure and put a note on the engine that it is "overful" and needs to be drained and refilled before starting. I figured it would keep the seals soft and not harm anything else.
 
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hulleywoodworking said:
What do you mean by "fill it with oil"? How much oil, and where?
Click to expand...

Depends on how complete the engine is. If you can rotate the engine, the normal amount of 5-6 quarts, poured in the oil filler stem (fuel pump bracket) would work. 19forty's idea sounds good if you can't rotate the engine. Point is, if you can coat the interior metal parts of the engine with oil, you will stop any surface rust from forming while it sits for a time. You can replace the oil when it's time to fire it up.
 
I sprayed my newly machined and assembled engine with GibbsBrand oil .It is not the Joe Gibb's engine oil but a rust resiting oil that supposedly does not affect painting later on,like the block itself. Well I did this almost 10 years ago but engine sat for only about a year, I painted it with POR 15 Ford green engine paint . Only place I have ever found the GiBBSOIL is on Ebay and finding a dealer.I also use it for gun lubricating/rust protection. Its secret must be that it is free of silicones to be so paint friendly.All I know is it is good stuff,not cheap but good.
 
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