Check list before taking a motor out of hibernation

[Bret Young]

Hey folks,

I have a quick question for you all. I have two motors that I am looking to take out of hibernation in the next few months and wanted to know if there are any things I should ensure I do before going through the efforts of firing them up.

-Both motors were professionally built. One is a 2276cc and the other is a 2176cc.
-Both have less than 1000 miles on them.
-Both motors have been sitting on the shelf for about 3 years.
-Both engines are going to have the engine tin removed and powder coated before being put into use. So I will ensure that the longblocks are clean and good to go.
-Both engines were stored as complete motors, so there is no chance that there is any debris or dirt inside.
-Both motors were stored with oil in the engines.

My biggest concern was valve springs. Neither of the motors had the rockers removed before storage. If they have been sitting for an extended period of time, is there a chance that certain valve springs have fatigued and can potentially be a problem?

I may be overthinking this and might be good to just fire them up, but wanted to ask. Maybe all I need to do is a quick valve adjustment and ensure all push rod tube seals are good and go.

[vwracerdave]

Put in fresh oil and fire them up.
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2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK

[jeffrey8164]

Agreed, let them get warm to chase out any sludge and change the oil again.
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Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.

“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1)

[Danwvw]

Whichever valves that were open may have allowed enough moisture in to rust the rings and cylinders a bit. I start stored engines every now and then and don't worry about the valves. A year is pushing it though. But it's and Air Cooled engine and they usually fire up after years if stored inside or if in the desert or somewhere pretty dry they will even start if just in a car after years.
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1960 Beetle And 1679cc DP W-100 & Dual Zeniths!

[VWporscheGT3]

[Erik G]

Turlock is pretty dry. I would change the oil/filter and fire them up
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[Brian_e]

I would spray a little lube into each cylinder and turn them over a few times by hand before firing them.

Brian
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www.type-emotorsports.com

[Bret Young]

Hi All,

Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for all the input. Eric is correct, Turlock (in the central valley of California) is very dry during the majority of the year besides whenever it actually rains in the winter. But the rain is minimal and these motors were in dry storage the whole time. They both turn over easily by hand.

I will do a quick valve adjustment on both motors, put fresh oil in both of them and fire them up!

[Cusser]