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Hey guys..looking for input on a 400 engine I have for my 1978 F150. It was rebuilt about 3 years ago by a local reputable shop and sitting in my shop covered since I picked it up.I'm almost ready to install and just wondering if I need to be concerned about the length or time it's been sitting. I'm sure the engine builder used all the correct lubes during assembly since he did it for years. I would contact him, but he unfortunately was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away last fall.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks for the advice. It's not a roller cam and wasn't run after assembly. I planned on pre-lubing before starting, but didn't think about removing the cam and lubricating it again. This is my first engine install so I want to do it correctly...and not have to remove it for something I missed.
I wouldn't mess with the cam. I
d squirt a little oil in each cylinder and let it sit a day, turn over a few times with plugs out. Definitley use a preluber and try to make sure fuel and ignition timing are ready.
I would run the pump a bit, load it up with high zinc oil and break it in.
He would have slobbered the cylinders with oil installing the pistons and running the pump will put oil back everywhere. the cam lube should still be in place and if a little has dropped off the zinc is what does the job after a couple revolutions anyway.
If you want to re-lube the cam you can do that without pulling the cam but you still have to pull the intake manifold. You can lube the lobes from the lifter holes in the engine valley with a small brush wile turning the engine over.
Priming the oil pump is a for sure and you’ll need to pull the distributor for that to get to the oil pump.
It’s best to do all of this before you put the engine in the truck. It can be done after but it’s more of a pain.
If your concerned, and have the knowledge to put it together. Pull it apart and relube everything, It will only cost a gasket set. The cylinders could have flash rust if the intake and exhaust have not been sealed up.
If you can, I would most definitely use a borescope or cheap endoscope, you can get them off of Amazon for pretty cheap, and have a peek inside the cylinders.. I wouldn't be worried so much about the assembly lube as much as the potential for rust forming in the cylinders.. definitely great advice for lubing up the cylinders before you turn it over, just me personally, I'd like to know I'm not slamming new piston rings into rust
There is less chance of your new engine having rust than one you shut off and stored inside 3 years ago. nobody puts new pistons in a dry hole .
Assuming you stored it in a dry place properly sealed up it should be fine. if you stored it in a heated place it is absolutely fine.
I guess I'm just paranoid, because while that exact issue hasn't bit me, other issues have bit me after a whole bunch of work, that required me to take whatever it was back apart, and go back to the drawing board, when I could have checked it before I even started
I mean if you look at the engine and there's rust everywhere I'd probably be worried too. but assuming there's not the oiled up cylinders should look like they did the day the pistons were installed. and any other light surface rust there may be isn't going to matter anyway.
I guess a set of gaskets and a days work isn't a big deal if it makes a guy feel better. assuming the OP feels competent doing it.
Everyones responses have given me a few things to consider. I do have to transfer the intake from the current engine to the 400. The 400 has a two barrel intake on it and going to a four barrel. I think once it's removed I'll be able to see the top end and see if anything looks abnormal.
I'm probably going to have to move the truck around in my shop once the engine is removed. How is the best way to support the C6 transmission in order to reposition the truck?
