73-87chevytrucks.com

73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: gmcsierragrande on June 05, 2010, 01:50:32 pm

Title: Best way to start up 350 small block after winter storage
Post by: gmcsierragrande on June 05, 2010, 01:50:32 pm

Hello everyone!

I'm new to this forum, and I hope you can give me your point of view on a concern I have, and to which I get various different comments... Who's right, who's wrong...

I got a 79 Chevy K10 which has been completely restored, and since I live in Canada, it is stored in a heated garage for about 6 months a year during the winter.

A few times during these 6 months in storage, every 2 months or so, I go to start it up to have the engine run, the oil and prestone circulate and make the brakes work a bit so everything stays in shape....

My question is : Is there any chance of causing some wear to the engine components because of a lack of oil during cranking and when the engine starts in the first 10 seconds or so, during which the oil pressure is building up and oil makes its way throughout the block and heads????

I've got a freshly rebuilt engine that I would hate to cause excessive wear to because of storage. I always crank it twice, the first time for about 7 seconds, to have oil circulate in the engine before it fires up, and then I crank it a second time until it fires up after 4 or 5 seconds.

Maybe it's just me who is worrying for nothing since we only talk about 2 months whitout running, or is there really a risk of causing excessive wear to bearings and cam surface for example, because the oil that was on the components when I shut off the engine dried up or went down to the oil pan with time....

Your ideas and comments would be appreciated on this...

Thanks!
Steve 

Title: Re: Best way to start up 350 small block after winter storage
Post by: beastie_3 on June 05, 2010, 01:54:27 pm

To overcome it, you can buy a oil priming bit and prime the engine with a electric drill. Turn the engine crank manually to make sure the oil gets in all the bearings.

Title: Re: Best way to start up 350 small block after winter storage
Post by: gmcsierragrande on June 05, 2010, 02:02:04 pm

Thanks Beastie_3,

And according to you, after 2 months not working do you think there's a real concern about wear or I'm just worrying for nothing?  :-\

Title: Re: Best way to start up 350 small block after winter storage
Post by: VileZambonie on June 05, 2010, 03:59:47 pm

Any flat tappet cam engine that sits is susceptible to wiping out the cam. A prelube system can definitely help.

Title: Re: Best way to start up 350 small block after winter storage
Post by: gmcsierragrande on June 05, 2010, 07:11:01 pm

All right guys!

Thanks for the input! I really appreciate your feedback!!! 8)

Steve