How do you store your engines?

[Scott]

Hello all.
Yet another question from me.
Sorry about that but I think it's better to appear stupid and ask the question instead of risking more damage to an old engine.
An old saying comes to mind. The only stupid question is the one you haven't asked.

So here goes.
How do you store engines for periods of time longer then say....a month?

I'll say what I'm doing at the moment and you all can tell me where I'm wrong. I can handle constructive criticism extremely well and look for it. The best way I'll learn is when people tell me things.
 
I know all fuel (petrol) should be drained because petrol isn't simply petrol any more and all vents and small holes covered or sealed to stop the paper wasps and ants and other creepy crawlies.
I reckon it would be better to leave the fuel cap off (simply place a cloth cover over the hole to stop dust and dirt getting in there) to limit condensation in the fuel tank. Is this a good idea or not? Should I be sealing the fuel tank?
And then an old sheet sheet thrown over the lot to stop dust getting to the engine.

Anything else I should be doing?
If I was going to store for say....12 months I'd be taking spark plug out and pouring some oil in the bore and give it a couple of revolutions to make sure bores were well covered with the oil and after making sure both valves were closed I'd put the plug back in.
Is this a good idea for diesels (minus the plug bit) as well?
Should I fill petrol tanks with oil to stop the rust?

What do you do with magneto's to limit there slow, slow self destruction over extended periods of time?

I suppose the best way to preserve an old engine is to run it every now again. But we all know that sometimes this is not very practical or possible.

Cheers then
Scott.

[Billyboy]

After use I just give it a wipedown with a rage soaked in Inox and for engines that are still in working clothes i uses a spray bottle with Inox keeps everything all good for about 1-2 months.

[cobbadog]

These are all good questions you are asking Scott with minimum response so far. So for my 2 cents worth pulling the plug and squirting a small amount of oil and turn the engine over to TDC is ok and possibly just past TDC so that the magneto is past its sparking point. This should be ok for storage. As for our 2 hit n miss engines, they have their fair share of oil from one end to the other, I just pull it through the TDC and let it go at that. I leave my fuel in the tank and so far even after close to 21 months of sitting there the engine just sparks right into life with no fuel issues at all. I always use premium fuel whether that makes any difference or not to the stories I have read about fuel degradation but I have not had any probs with that.

[HardWorkingMan]

the only thing I do is let my water cooled engines sit for a couple of minutes once they have stopped then let them drain while they are warm.  Leave the drain tap open and cover off the hopper to allow the air to flow through and dry it out.

With all engines I stop them by turning off the fuel and letting them stop in their own time.

Another thing is let them cool to be able to touch them before loading.  I have learned that lesson watching others burn their hands

[Bundy Bear]

I take them home and store them in the shed oil and all, if I notice dust on them later they get a wipe with an Inox soaked rag as the dust attracts moisture and starts rust.
When I first started showing engines I would take them home and wash them down but if they sat for a while they would rust on the clean metal surfaces so now its just put them to bed.

It is also good manners to let your engine water cool so you dont leave burnt patches in the oval or park where you have drained your engines with very hot water. To start with I hadnt thought of that but now we let them cool for 30 min or so.
Good chance for an extra bit of a yarn.
Lance

[HardWorkingMan]

also I try to use a piece of hose or move the engine to a tree, fence etc before letting the water out - that way people don't end up with wet feet or vehicles get bogged.  Watched a group once load 3 large engines and dump all the water in the gateway of the compound.  The next person through there got bogged and things went downhill from there as the following vehicles had to be pushed out.

A bit of consideration for the exhibitors around you at pack up time makes for a much more enjoyable weekend for everyone.  This can include talking to those around you to plan the pack up rather than just racing to be first.

[freshieslures]

Single cylinder 4 stroke engines should be left at BDC on the compression stroke when not being used for some time. Valves will be shut, no excessive tension on springs so hopefully no moisture can enter. Also keeps dust etc out of bore on an open crank engine.

I try to use all fuel in the carby,some people fill the tank with petrol to reduce condensation. At this stage i haven't had any fuel problems leaving tank half full.

I normally winch engine onto trailer full of water and pull the plug when i'm driving off.

Cheers Justin

[Triumphline]

A great topic.
When leaving a rally I like to drain the engines while they are still warm to allow for the quick evaporation of any moisture. Once home I degrease the engine (every time for a painted engine and every now and then for an 'original' one). I then re-oil the lubricated areas and spray all the moving parts with WD40. Once dry the 'original' engines are sprayed all over with WD40. My open crank engines are parked with the piston at the bottom of the stroke with the valves shut and no cams engaged. The engine then has a soft cover placed over it (an old bedspread or sheet) to keep the dust off but allow condensation to escape.
I usually leave fuel in the engine (as many of the tanks are too hard to drain) and it seems to inhibit rust in the tank (especially the cast tanks). The spark plug engines will start and run on stale fuel but the ignitor engines like some fresh fuel to start but will then run on stale stuff. If an engine is being stored long term I will attempt to get all the fuel out of the system as it can get pretty horrible after a couple of years.
Patrick