Long term storage engine start up question

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Jack_James
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Long term storage engine start up question

Post by Jack_James »

Hello everyone!

I'm going to be starting an 85 XR4Ti that's been in storage for a few years. I'm going to be replacing the valve cover gasket, so I was going to pour fresh racing oil over the camshaft. Is this enough? What about the distributor drive? I remember there being some softer metals in there.

So far my pre-start leftover list is:

Siphoning fuel, scoping the tank, replacing the filter if the tank doesn't need to be dropped for cleaning. Has a Walbro pump conversion.

Oil change and filter using Lucas Hotrod oil with k&n filter for the camshaft. I plan to run a conventional oil at first to flush the engine before the Lucas oil. ZDDP additive will be used!

Ranger EGR plug from Ford for E6 manifold

EGR block off plate (no EGR tube, so gotta block her off.) I'll just use some flat bar and longer bolts to get through inspection.

H5 battery. Auto wreckers! 🤟

What I've done so far:

Replaced spark plugs.

Reinstalled oem intake manifold. I replaced all seals and caps on the T-Bird injectors.

Swapped the turbo chra, as the old one ate something. No damage was present in the combustion chambers. Wicked.

I've only had a few hours to work on the car, so I did what I could while I was there. I brought the turbocharger home and replaced the complete chra, and I'm wanting to port the E6 manifold and the turbine housing...Construction on the stairwell at my apartment building has been loud, so the Dremel could fly under the radar 😄

I hope to get this 85 driving this summer. I'm just unsure where I'm going to keep the car. I'm keeping it, regardless if I have to sell my current daily driver. The car has more sentimental value than anything.

Excited to be part of another car community here. I used to be a moderator on Clubprotege.com when I was knee deep in early 90s Mazdas lol.
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Jack_James
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Re: Long term storage engine start up question

Post by Jack_James »

my8950
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Re: Long term storage engine start up question

Post by my8950 »

If you replaced plugs, why not put oil there?
Not sure "racing" oil is necessary or why that matters?
Change fuel filter, change fuel, try and start it, run it a bit and change the filter again 1000 or so mile later.
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Jack_James
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Re: Long term storage engine start up question

Post by Jack_James »

Sorry you must have missed where I mentioned why I'm using the Hotrod specific oil. It was the 2nd note down.

Good call on putting some oil down the cylinders. I've got a syringe specifically for that job.
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andyofcolumbusmerkur
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Re: Long term storage engine start up question

Post by andyofcolumbusmerkur »

Sometimes on something that was sitting awhile (years and years) I will pull the plug(s) and spray some WD-40 in there. Let it sit a few minutes then crank or pull the cord a few times. That lubricates things and also displaces moisture. Unless you think the engine is locked up I don't see why you would need to use a syringe to put oil in the cylinder. Same with pouring oil over the cam. I bet if you pull the valve cover the cam will look just fine. If you get an inspection scope and look down in the cylinder I bet that will look fine also. If the oil in it is really old I would drain that first and refill with plain 10w30. Then after it has ran long enough for the thermostat to open shut it off and do the oil AND filter with the oil of your choice. I just use the Synthetic from Walmart. Since these are not the flat tappet style you really shouldn't need any special oil. Good Luck!
The car will be finished soon.
my8950
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Re: Long term storage engine start up question

Post by my8950 »

andyofcolumbusmerkur wrote: Thu May 23, 2024 4:24 pm Sometimes on something that was sitting awhile (years and years) I will pull the plug(s) and spray some WD-40 in there.
Where is "in there"?
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Re: Long term storage engine start up question

Post by Rainbow83 »

"In there" I'm assuming would mean into the holes for the spark plugs. You can access the top of each cylinder through the spark plug holes, so if you put a bit of your preferred choice of lubricant in there, and then turn the engine over by hand a few times, it can help to lubricate the cylinder walls before the first start up in a while. I've heard of people putting a variety of different lubricants in, fogging oil, good ol' 10w30 motor oil, ATF, and now WD-40 (though I'm not sure that last one's a great idea, I've always heard it's a rather poor lubricant). Just put a little bit of some sort of lube in the top of each cylinder and that should help.
Alex
03 2.4 Camry - 88 2.3T XR4Ti - 88 3.0 Aerostar
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andyofcolumbusmerkur
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Re: Long term storage engine start up question

Post by andyofcolumbusmerkur »

Yes in the cylinder. Don't just spray it all over the engine bay or something :lol:
The car will be finished soon.
zxr250cc
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Re: Long term storage engine start up question

Post by zxr250cc »

Hi all,

Clearing double post, sorry.

Cheers
Last edited by zxr250cc on Sat May 25, 2024 10:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1986 XR4Ti Mineral Blue Metallic
zxr250cc
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Re: Long term storage engine start up question

Post by zxr250cc »

Hi all,

I would choose fogging oil of your items mentioned and definitely not use racing oil as your daily use oil. It lacks the additive packages for long term use as it is expected to be changed frequently, like weekly or monthly or even each race day in some cases, not 3 or 5 thousand miles later. I agree that WD40 is not a lubricant; it is a water displacement spray. I am not sure how it would work in an engines' bore.

Also, modern synthetic oils are far superior to older oils and do not need zinc to be added to the oil and these are not flat tappet engines as mentioned above.

I might suggest diesel engine oil rated for gas and diesel engines for a couple of hours initial use as it has more aggressive cleaning additives and then dump and change filter and oil to the good stuff. Just a thought. I have used it as a cleaning oil like this a couple of times with good results.

Most of all enjoy the work and go for a short or long drive when you have it running.

Cheers
1986 XR4Ti Mineral Blue Metallic
my8950
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Re: Long term storage engine start up question

Post by my8950 »

zxr250cc wrote: Sat May 25, 2024 10:07 pm I might suggest diesel engine oil rated for gas and diesel engines for a couple of hours initial use as it has more aggressive cleaning additives and then dump and change filter and oil to the good stuff. Just a thought. I have used it as a cleaning oil like this a couple of times with good results.

I’m pretty confident that all diesel oil is approved for gasoline engines, however, gasoline oil is not enough for diesel engines.

I run Chevron Delo 10w30 as the oil which I use in my 2.3t. Been using for years as diesel oil has more robust additive package and will hold up to the temps of a gasoline turbo engine.
Added cheap insurance, been doing for the 8yrs I’ve owned this specific XR.
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