I'm taking a job with GE in Atlanta and I'm not going to be able to take the dart. The block, and head have just be machined, but I have not assembled the engine yet. Since I won't have time to finish my car, I have to put it in storage for at least a year, maybe two. I have 2 options, I can either quickly finish assembling the engine and just set it it the engine bay for storage, or I can leave it unasssembled, and just try to properly store it.

What precautions should I take to leave the engine in good shape, until I again have a garage and time to finish the car?


Joe
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1965 Dart

Don't put it together and then "store" it in the engine bay of the car. It won't really be protected long-term then.

If you're looking to store it for two years or so, your best bet is to find something like Cosmoline or another parafin based brush on sealant. Coat the whole thing (especially the machined surfaces) and then seal the block, etc in heavy plastic bags. That should keep is safe from any moisture damage.

Then, when you get home, you can clean it up and assemble it at your leasure.

_________________
My truck is a Frankenstein creation
Built from the dead carcasses of others
And brought BACK TO LIFE!

it's also good to keep cranks standing upright to keep them straight, heating and cooling cycles of the day could warp a crank, especially the longer ones like the slant's crank... i use some wire and tie the top to something so they can't fall over... put them in a plastic bag and coat all parts with that cosmoline or wheel bearing grease...

.. some people might argue the grease, but it's cheap and better than nothing..

The valve springs should not be left under load of the cam - since some are compressed more than others they are not balanced after long
storage in an assembled engine. So I would leave the head off the block.
I would coat the bare metal surfaces with motor oil and wrap with
plastic then add some desicant bags (the do not eat silica stuff) and
seal up the plastic air tight.

I would also put notes about what condition/specs the parts were
machined to, and any assembly instructions that I thought I would
forget over the storage period.

Thanks for the input fellas. I just got another job offer here in town, and I just might take it so I can keep the car. If things work out I should have the engine built by the end of December, and hopefully the car will be painted by then also. I be sure to post pics when the restoration continues.


Joe