Engine That Sat for 5 Years

Q: Engine That Sat for 5 Years

What is the precedure for an engine that was rebuilt and then left sitting five years with no break in period?? It was only started at the rebuilders shop and i need to know what steps I should take to get it loosened up and ready to run. I know that the fuel system needs to be cleaned and carberator rebuilt.

A: My procedure is as follows:

– Remove all the spark plugs
– Using a piece of tubing on the end of a oil pump can, get 2-3 squirts of HD 30 motor oil into each cylinder -With the spark plugs out, crank the motor and watch the oil pressure gauge. It should start to register SOME oil pressure. Do this 2-3 times, not cranking for more than a minute and allowing at least five minutes between each sequence to allow the starter to cool. If you don’t have a pressure gauge, remove the valve cover and make sure oil starts to flow out of the rocker arms.
– Once you are sure that oil is flowing, re-install your plugs and wires.
– If your distributor was installed correctly and your points are good, the motor should fire and run.
– While running, listen for any lifter noise. The rocker arm clacking should begin to quiet down as the motor comes up to temperature and the lifters pump up.
– If everything goes well, all your should have to do is the final timing and dwell settings.

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