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MG MGA - Long Term Engine Block Storage

I substitued an 1800 engine from a '66 MGB some years back and had stored the original 1622 in a shed.

Recently I've put this block in my garage on a stand and I'm wondering what is the best way to store it long term?

I have no intention of putting it back in the car, but I do want to keep it in case (God forbid) I must sell the car one day I want the original engine to go with it.

It is only the block, the head is currently on the 1800.

There is slight surface rust (rubs off with my fingers) where the head mounted, other than that it looks like any well used 1622 block, but it no longer turns, the pistons are frozen.

So, do I take the engine apart and get it moving again and then store it or do I preserve it as is?

Any advise from folks that are storing blocks on a long term basis like this?

Thanks,
Christopher
Christopher Wilson

Christopher,
I've stored a number of engines long term. What I normally do is drain and replace oil and filter, put a few teaspoons of oil in each cylinder and pull the engine through a few times. Then, pull the engine through once or twice a year, sometimes adding a squirt of oil. Having the head off has an up and down side. Easier to lube the cylinders, but more susceptible to moisture. To free your engine, try spraying the cylinders with a good penetrating oil (PB Blaster, etc) and then use a breaker bar and socket on the crank nut. It should pop free if the cylinders aren't badly rusted. A gentle rap on the top of the pistons with a wood hammer or block may help. Once it's free, oil the cylinder walls and pull the engine through a couple times. I'd put a light coat of grease on the exposed portion of cylinder walls and cylinder head surface then cover the top plastic or paper.

Good luck,
Gerry
G T Foster

There is a product on the market now called CRC-400 and CRC-350 which are in spray cans. It is like cosmoleen the oil wax mixture which the Navy uses to moth ball boats. 400 is for longer term storage and drys on the surface and the 350 stays soft like cosmoleen and is for storage up to 18 months. They come off buy just spraying WD-40 and wipe with rag.
You can find it at Auto Parts Stores that carry CRC Products...about 10 bucks a can.
Thomas Koch

Just to be redundant Jerry and Thomas are both right. Do both if you don't care to disassemble. Make sure it is freed up before treating and storing. With the natural humidity in your part of the country I would also recommend dissasembeling it and treating each stored part.
R J Brown

Just for a point of reference, (and I do not recommend this practice as a normal procedure). I rebuilt my engine in '82 using STP as an assembly lube. It sat for about 15 years with no special attention, no intake or exhaust manifold before it was put into the chassis. I inserted oily rags into the block openings. I did not turn it over. It was stored in an un-heated garage. When I got the car assembled and asked it to come to life in 2001, it did so with no ill effects.

I think that the other suggestions are better than this. Since yours is stored without the head, I would suggest adding oily rags to the cylinders to minimize the rust.

I have an RX-7 engine that it locked up from storage that I will have to address in the near future so I know your concern.

Chuck
C Schaefer

Once again fellas thank you for the advice.

Cheers,
Christopher
Christopher Wilson

By all means use the CRC. If you want similar for lower cost, use motorcycle chain lube. Also, break the engine free before storing, lube cylinders and turn engine over. Then spray again. Also spray the head surface and cover with plastic. Wrap with Saran Wrap or similar plastic, and you shouldn't have any trouble.
mike parker

This thread was discussed between 06/12/2007 and 08/12/2007

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