seventynine

Hi there new to the site!

I have a '79 that has a seized 12a that's been sitting since November. Just found a wheelbarrow full of parts on Craigslist (Weber car, 12a, Racing Beat headers, etc.) The guy said the engine has been sitting for about a year, but has no doubt that it will run great once I plop her in. He did recommend that I do an engine flush as parts of the motor have been exposed to weather etc.

So all in all, I'm looking for tips on getting her in an running.

Such as, which seals I should replace, what I should flush the engine with, etc.

I've dropped a 12a out of a car before, but never put one back in.


Thanks!!

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

welcome to the board.

i'm not sure what you meant by "parts of the motor have been exposed to weather." are you saying the engine itself was outside, exposed to the elements or just things like maybe water pump, carburetor, etc.?

if the engine was sitting outside, having lived in WA for a year and change, then that would be a concern to me. you'll want to get some oil in the chambers as quickly as possible and see if it will turn by hand smoothly, while giving 6 distinct pulses. assess for signs of internal rust. go over the flywheel surface with some sandpaper (maybe 220 or 320). if the clutch was left on there, replace it.

you said you've taken an engine out of one before, so there really aren't any surprises to putting one back in. sometimes it takes a little effort to get the engine mated with the transmission, but other than that, drop the block in, settle it on the mounts and bolt it to the tranny. you can then put all the ancillaries back on at leisure.

as far as seals go, play that by ear. it may be worth it to take a close look at the front and rear mains while it's out though. both would be a real pain in the *** to change after the engine is in. until my Rx-8, i've never had to change one outside of a rebuild. so consider that as my saying they might weep a bit, but they don't usually go bad. oil filter pedestal seals are a different story though. change though.

seventynine

diabolical1 ; The engine had been sitting in a wheelbarrow in this guys garage for a year. He did not plug or protect any of the ports, exhaust manifold holes etc. so they have been sitting open (vulnerable to any debris floating around the garage). Which is why he recommended doing a flush. (Should I use MMO?)

The engine turns smoothly by hand.

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

garage. okay. dust can be a problem over time, but moisture is more harmful. put some oil in the chambers, MMO works, too, but oil is a better choice.

i am not familiar with any "flush" for the combustion chambers. even if there was, i'd be skeptical. there's no practical way to use a fluid to remove whatever dust is in there without first dragging it though a full cycle. maybe he was referring to flushing the cooling system?