68 Engine Question

[Kurt B.]

Finally received my smallblock engine from the machine shop completely assembled and balanced.
Since it is not yet installed in the car and will be several months before it is ready to be fired up, my question is am I doing any damage to anything in the engine by not starting it up immediately?
How long can I leave it on the engine stand before I run the drisk of drying up seals or gaskets or whatever, if anything.
Thank you for any input.
Kurt Bunting #26406

[John H.]

Re: 68 Engine Question

Kurt -

Everyone has their own "recipe" for this, but I've had many of them sitting on a stand for six months to a year before first-fire without doing anything other than shooting some oil in the cylinders, taping up the intake and exhaust ports, and wrapping them in a bag. If it's going to sit for more than a year, I'd probably back off the rockers to relieve pressure on the valve springs and re-set when firing time comes.

[Kurt B.]

Re: 68 Engine Question

Thank you John.
The engine is presently entirely shrinkwrapped so I am hoping this will keep moisture out. Sounds from your answer like I will be OK if I get it started in the next few months. Just need to order some fuel lines and carb linkage stuff.
Kurt