how to store engines

[Bertramp]

I bought a pair of engines (running take outs) and am having them shipped.They are being drained of fluids, shrink wrapped and put on cradles/pallets) for the shipping. My plan is for them to be installed next winter or maybe even the winter after that. Should they be filled with oil while they sit or are they fine with whatever oil residue that might still be in them ? ... trannies too ..
thanks

 

[REBrueckner]

I'll defer to "experts" on this one, but I'd say it would be more important to store them in a clean, dry, preferably low humidity in summer and heated in winter space. Filling them with clean, new oil sure won't hurt...but any benefit is limited unless the oil can periodically be pumped up to normally lubricated parts....Some storage/fogging oil sprayed into cylinders might help keep them from corrosion as will sealing exhaust outlets. Turning them a bit while in storage won't hurt either..even a rev by hand...rests springs,injectors,etc...

 

[Maynard Rupp]

Remove spark plugs or injector nozzles if diesel and squirt some Marvel Mystery oil in each cylinder. Rotate the engine several times before replacing plugs. Fill crankcase with oil except for 1 quart which should be Marvel Mystery oil. My .02

 

[StratPlan61]

If you can do so, try to remove your engines from the atmosphere. The military stores things like this in take-apart 'cans' (cannisters) and vacuum pumps all of the air out of them. This eliminates the humidity which will greater protect any rubber parts (seals).
You may be able to purchase some of these excess/salvage cans at a military base/installation. You can also check numerous websites for them. They contain mounting braces for your engine to bolt to. They come in various sizes, usually 2 pieces which bolt together with a gasket.
If you cannot find any, tightly wrap your engine in plastic completely to eliminate any air getting to it.

Bear'
1984 61' My Strategic Plan

 

[jim rosenthal]

I agree with Maynard. MMO is GREAT stuff. I would probably get the largest toughest plastic sacks I could find and vacuum them down around the engines after the MMO treatment. They should be fine.

 

[REBrueckner]

Tightly wrapped plastic will sweat like a pig in the wrong atmpspheric conditions, so be sure everything is stored in a non freezing and fairly temperature stable environment.

 

[MikeP]

Having seen shrink-wrapped boats look like a mildew forest when the stuff was removed, (another crazy idea from people who want to lighten your pocketbook) I would not seal an engine under "normal" atmospheric conditions.

 

[spartonboat1]

If you can do so, try to remove your engines from the atmosphere. The military stores things like this in take-apart 'cans' (cannisters) and vacuum pumps all of the air out of them. This eliminates the humidity which will greater protect any rubber parts (seals).
You may be able to purchase some of these excess/salvage cans at a military base/installation. You can also check numerous websites for them. They contain mounting braces for your engine to bolt to. They come in various sizes, usually 2 pieces which bolt together with a gasket.
If you cannot find any, tightly wrap your engine in plastic completely to eliminate any air getting to it.

Bear'
1984 61' My Strategic Plan

The best on-line site for the official marketing of "excessed" DoD parts and equipment is the site run by DRMS, the DoD's Logistics Agency (DLA), Reutilization and Marketing Service(DRMS). I think their site is at www.drms.mil. They run about 50-70 DRMO's, which are DRMS field office's for surplus. Also, their web site should include items for sale.

 

[Capt K]

More importantly, what did you buy, Steve?

K