As many of you are aware I have been messing with my engine for the better part of the past 6 weeks. Well I have come to the realization that I probably won't get it running before the snow flies
My conundrum is this...
Should I leave it as it presently sits: short block with the pistons in or should I put it all together minus the carb?

The reason I ask is the condensation equation.

I was thinking that if I leave it as is, I would grease the decks and other gasket surfaces, oil the cylinder walls and internals liberally and cover with a breathable vapor barrier.

This is virgin territory for me. I'm worried putting it back together and letting it sit over winter will undo what I have done.

If I had it in a climate controlled environment I wouldn't even ask the question but sitting outside in the frame...

 

Pull the engine or reassemble it. The less machined surfaces exposed to ambient air the better. By some large trash bags and tape it up.... you could place cups or trays of a dessicant like Jonny cat cat litter to absorb and release ambient humidity.

Wipe machined surfaces with ATF... it's 'clingy'.

 

Winter? It doesnt get down into the 60s until January, I would just keep on building it. Our last winter was the coldest 2 weeks that we have seen in years.

 

Simple, yank it, make a temporary coffee table out of it and lamps out of the heads!
The wife (or gf) will never know.... Just tell her you vaccuumed or got new curtains.

Or, get a move on and build it!

-Byrd

 

Get it put back together. Even if you have to pull some stuff off in the spring it is better than leaving it open for mother nature to fudge up the work you've already done. Only other option is to pull the motor and get it into a controlled environment.

 

Spray Fluid Film on any exposed surfaces and don't worry about it. Stuff is bad a$$. It is now available at Lowes. We have used it in the aviation industry for years.

 

The more machined surfaces that have oil put on them, the more surface area you're going to have to clean off before gaskets can be put on.

If it was mine, I would get the heads, intake, etc. back on it, tape over the holes where the carburetor mounts and tape over the exhaust ports. Squirt a little oil in through the spark plug holes, roll the crank over and then cover the engine with a thick mil plastic bag while the engine's being stored.

 

I use this as undercoating on my trucks. Works well. Even in nasty Ohio weather my daily driver is still rot free. I reapply twice a year to the most vulnerable spots underneath.

I agree though, no sense in leaving it all exposed or have to clean all the mess off(oil/grease/whatever) to finish assembly.

Get it together and seal off the carb/exhaust and put old plugs in it.

 

Thanks guys. I'll put her back together. Thanks for the tip on the "spray film" Never heard of it. Is that the name brand?

 

Like everyone has said, put it together. Before sealing up the openings use plenty of oil in the cylinders. You can use "Fogging Oil" in the cylinders instead of engine oil, if you want. Overfill the crankcase. Use anti-seize on the spark plug threads too. Is the coolant all drained? Put a battery maintainer on the battery, or take it inside.

 

Hey GK check out my last post in my rebuild/redo thread. No coolant, No battery.

 

Google "Fluid Film".

I didn't go back and read your previous build post. Did you have the pan off? If not, then I wouldn't put any oil in it til you need to. No sense in throwing new oil away next year.

 

Fogging oil for storage this is some good stuff it expands to coat everything like shaving cream then your good to let it sit all assembled.
Can be found at Walmart.

But say if you pulled the engine out their is special engine storage bags that keep the moisture out for long term storage. You can find them on Summit.
Orich

 

How is this stuff when it's time to start her up?

 

It's what I use for my boat motor, no problem just fog it in and you'll get some fog on start up.