Quote:
Originally Posted by AL427SBF
Need advice on starting an engine after long term storage. Think of it as -
What would you do if you were in my shoes?
Motor: Turnkey all aluminum DART 427, carbureted
Pre-Storage Prep: None, crate motor run-in briefly by builder, fluids drained and delivered to a shop where it sat.
Storage Duration: 3.5 years, no environmental controls for the most part but also no exposed openings on the motor (exhaust ports covered etc.)
Now it's time to bring her back to life and I want to be VERY CAREFUL how I do that, much invested in this little motor. Thoughts that come to mind are ...
- do I worry about valve springs and hysteresis?
- making sure I prime oil critical passages/components and pumps.
- pistons, give them a shot of oil through the plug holes to lube the cylinder walls?
- hand crank the engine over (plugs out) before I turn the key?
But that's me winging it, I need a step by step dissertation on what to do, I'm no motor head but willing to learn.
I'll make a "to do" list and put everything in order on what needs to be done - thanks for the help.
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I'd pull the distributor and run a drill with an
oil pump primer,pull the valve covers first and when priming,see that oil in coming out of the pushrods,flooding everything up top with oil......
then pull the plugs,give each cylinder a good shot of WD40,then turn the engine over by hand a few revolutions,reprime the oil pump.....
Fill the carb up with gas thru the vent tubes,work the accelerator pump by hand till you see gas coming out of the squirters.......
Re-install the distributor/plugs and fire it up..........watch the oil pressure gauge,it should come up really quick,if it doesn't,shut off the engine and re-prime the oil pump and you should be good to go......
Let it come up to temp before revving it up......
David