i have an rx-7 parts car. it was totaled going over 100 miles an hour and the body is totally destroyed but the engine and transmition only have a few hundred miles on them. i want to just take the engine and transmition out so i don't have the ugly car in my yard anymore. what would be the best way to store the engine so it stays good? i want it for back up when my engine dies (or i'll sell it when i do a t2 swap). please help with any suggestions.

 

id assume with fluids in it of course and wrap up elec. connections and blug up all inlets and outlets and be sure to rest it on appropriate spots or hang it even and would be best in a controlled climate to prevent corrosion. just a thought i havent ever stored a motor but i work on aircraft and know how parts are shipped and how to prevent contamination so hopes this helps.

 

here's how I tuck my 12a away in the winter
-fresh oil and filter
-drain carb (easy in a running car, just shut off the fuel pump and let the engine stall out of gas)
-if the carb still on the block: use a long screwdriver to push open the butterflies and pour 3-4 oz of motor oil into each primary carb port
-rotate the engine to get rotors to spin oil throughout the cylinder
-seal off mouth of carb with heavy plastic and elastic band or a tie (elastic bands can eventually disintegrate)
-likewise the end of the exhaust pipe/header/whatever. The idea is to seal the internals of the engine from outside moisture
-I would do the same for the water pump nozzles, heater hose pipes. Also keeps out the critters.
-likewise seal off oil cooler lines in your case
-ideal to hand rotate the engine via the main pulley every month to keep things loose. Mine sits all winter untouched with no problems, but after 6 months....??
Tranny:
-drain and add fresh oil. I would even be tempted to OVER fill it since that way the maximum amount of mechanicals are emersed in oil. Obviously, you'll have to drain some out when going to use it!!
-my thoughts. Anyone else?

-I would store it on its "nose" (engine end) as long as the drive shaft doesn't extend beyond the clutch cover "hood"
-seal prop shaft end or it will leak if stored "flat", plus its open to air and moisture, which is bad.

 

What they said plus...

pickle the engine with ATF or MMO. Dump it right down the carb and turn the engine by hand to be sure it's throughout the rotor chambers. That should hold 'er until you need it.

 

I've stored my 20B with MMO in it for six months. I wonder how the oil and coolant seals are doing. I'd be afraid to use ATF. Doesn't ATF eat soft seals?

 

thanks for all the comments. i just want to store her untill i need it (or until i do a t2 swap and decide to cell it). so how much mmo should i poor down it?

 

should i fill it up with mmo, or just put a few quarts?

 

MMO'd two 12a engines here plus sealed all openings to keep moisture, dirt, and critters out. Rotate main pulley minimum of once a month if not more. Every weekend I go to the garage I make sure to rotate the engines.

I nearly used a quart between the two.