Long Term Engine / Trans Storage

[DB]

Hey Everyone,

Need some guidance from the pro's... I am sure that there are articles on this topic, but I have a few good engines and transmissions that range from aircooled uprights, aircooled type IV's, and a Waterboxer, plus the corsponding transmissions -- these are (or will be) removed from the vehicles what do people recommend to prepare the engines and transmissions for long term storage and later reuse in the future (could be years). This includes keeping pests and bugs out, condensation down, etc. I live in the North East so the engines / transaxles will be stored in and unheated space that will easily go below freezing. Any insight on this topic would be greatly appreciated, because I would really like to use some of these in the future.

Thanks! DB

[ratwell]

The transmissions you can store in plastic bags. I have no idea what a transmission rebuilder would recommed because his job is taking them out of storage and fixing them but he may be able to tell you what people have done wrong during storage.

As far as the rest goes Bentley has a series of recommendations on what to do. I can't remember the details but it includes removing the battery, stabailizing the gas in the tank, keeping the tires from developing flat spots, covering the body etc. Moss can grow on the wiper blades, water will get into the air intake vents, etc.

As for the engine all I can remember is that you need to remove the plugs and I think you put them back in loose with lots of oil on the threads. Each cylinder needs a teaspoon or so or oil so the cylinder walls don't rust. I'll have to look up what Bentley recommends to do about the oil.