How to store a new build before first fire...

[ChadW]

I about have my 327 build complete, but i wont be firing it for several months im guessing...How should i store this? With oil, without oil, prime it before storage, dont prime etc etc..it'll be bolted on an engine stand and covered with a large bag.

also..when i do get around to the breakin...Is 20w40 Driven oil ok to use? I have several quarts of this in my shop already. I know that the brand is good but was more interested in the weight...my clearances are all between .0015 and .002 and this is not a race motor...is going in a 66 c10 fun truck..




Tks
Chad

[kipps]

Just my opinion --

Several months or a year is nothing for an engine to sit in a vehicle. I've popped an old gas engine off after a year, checked the coolant, and driven away.

Duplicate those conditions. Fill it with oil and prime it. Personally, I'd either pre-oil the cylinders walls, or spin it over with a starter to build oil pressure.

Shoot, if you go that far, might as well put a distributor and plugs in the thing, and let it snort a little carb cleaner. Then lube it again and put it away.

[weq92f]

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If it's in your shop/garage, on the stand in a bag... it'll be fine methinks. Definitely give it a good coat of some type of lube before the bag but it will be OK as long as you don't live on the coast or on an island!

-klb

[homemade87]

No need to do anything if it was assembled proper . Assembly lube on all bearing and piston and rings and cylinder walls oiled before install . Which all of these things were probably done . So all the important surfaces are protected .

When it comes time just add oil and prime and start .

As for the weight of oil . I would not start a fresh engine with that heavy of and oil . When you start that motor you want the oil to get to where it needs to go pretty fast . Heavy oil will not move thru the engine very well cold . If it were mine I would do a 10w30 and most likely run it all the time if oil pressure is good . From what you say the tolerances are pretty close so should hold good oil pressure with the 10w30 as well .

[ChadW]

Originally Posted by homemade87

As for the weight of oil . I would not start a fresh engine with that heavy of and oil . When you start that motor you want the oil to get to where it needs to go pretty fast . Heavy oil will not move thru the engine very well cold . If it were mine I would do a 10w30 and most likely run it all the time if oil pressure is good . From what you say the tolerances are pretty close so should hold good oil pressure with the 10w30 as well .

I was wrong on the oil i have...i have Driven BR40 which is 10w40 oil.

[GASoline71]

What oil does the cam manufacturer recommend? That's who you need to pay attention to since you'll be breaking in a flat tappet cam. Most of them recommend single wt dino oil like 30wt. If I recall... Don't use synthetic to break in an engine.

Interesting choice for mixed rocker arms.

Gary

[ChadW]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

Interesting choice for mixed rocker arms.

Gary

Gen1 trickflow heads...comp makes a special rocker just for the intakes after these heads were found to be next to impossible to get proper geometry on the intake side...trickflow recommends Crane Golds on the exhaust side..

[weq92f]

Originally Posted by ChadW

Gen1 trickflow heads...comp makes a special rocker just for the intakes after these heads were found to be next to impossible to get proper geometry on the intake side...trickflow recommends Crane Golds on the exhaust side..

Thanks for that.

-klb

[homemade87]

Originally Posted by ChadW

I was wrong on the oil i have...i have Driven BR40 which is 10w40 oil.

The oil you have is a good break in oil with a high zink content . The 10w40 is a heavy as I would go with your clearances but will be fine . Sounds like it will be warmer when you get ready to start it anyway .

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by ChadW

Gen1 trickflow heads...comp makes a special rocker just for the intakes after these heads were found to be next to impossible to get proper geometry on the intake side...trickflow recommends Crane Golds on the exhaust side..

The "Twisted Wedge" heads from the early 90's? I had a buddy with a '68 Chevelle that had those on a rowdy 355. I don't know what rockers he used, but that rig ran like a scalded dog!

Gary

[ChadW]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

The "Twisted Wedge" heads from the early 90's? I had a buddy with a '68 Chevelle that had those on a rowdy 355. I don't know what rockers he used, but that rig ran like a scalded dog!

Gary

Yes sir..that’s the heads...this is my first build, hope it runs like a scalded dog as well ...👍🏼

[GASoline71]

Sweet! Hoping it does for you as well!

Gary