Expiration date?
 

So, I'm just kicking around an idea that may be really dumb (like most of my ideas). We currently have Mazda manufacturing brand new 13B-REW short block engines at a reasonable price. Having owned my car for over 22 years I've seen the availability of engines, and parts, new used and rebuilt come and go. In my estimation these new engines will not be manufactured by Mazda forever, nor will all the major parts for a rebuild be always available, remember the rear housing shortage a few years back? So, what is the longevity of a new motor sitting in a crate? Is there anything that could be done to increase the number of years? Or would it be better to just buy the separate parts, slather them in Cosmoline , wrap in VCI Paper, and vacuum seal them? Or, is anybody going to even care ten years down the road?

The only problem with a Mazda complete engine might be some water still inside the block causing corrosion. But this can be easily taken care of with a complete flush with straight antifreeze or glycerin.

Yeah...there are well-documented ways to "mothball" an engine. I too have been thinking along the lines of buying rare or soon-hard-to-find FD parts.
You'll look like The Man about 20 years from now when some car rag is doing a piece on your 'vintage' car, and commenting on the foresight you had to procure these parts...

About how much are they going for these days?