Core engine stored outdoors...

Hey all,

I've got a couple of 350 Chevy core engines that have been stored outdoors for, oh...at least 5 years. The bores and journals and such are, of course, rusted. I didn't figure this would be too big of a deal. They're going to need bored a bit anyway. I know that a machine shop will have the final professional say, but what is your experience. Is it a problem if a disassembled core lays around outdoors for a decade? Is it borderline, or should I just sell them for scrap?

I'm not asking for you to tell me about my situation...just what your experiences have been.

Thanks! Clem

I have heard tell that some of the big name engine builders will 'age' new cast iron blocks by planting them in the ground for a couple of years. The heat/cool cycles make them last longer.

I think the answer to your question is, "it depends." I bet you're going to need to bore at least .020 over, if not more., to get rid of the pitting. You probably won't know until the machine shop takes the first pass with the borer.

Per Schroeder wrote: I have heard tell that some of the big name engine builders will 'age' new cast iron blocks by planting them in the ground for a couple of years. The heat/cool cycles make them last longer.

No shizzle? They bury engines? Wow..

If they had standing water in the cylinders, im sure they are junk. If they were sheleteredd somewhat, and had the intake and exhaust covered, they are probably fine.

Surface rust is no big deal. Standing water is another thing entirely.

Cast iron is porous. That means that water will soak into it and cause rust pockets below the surface. In a lot of cases, it'll clean up with boring but sometimes it won't. It happened to me with an XL185 Honda cylinder; it had been sitting for a couple of years with no spark plug and had a crescent shaped puddle along one side. When the cylinder was bored to accept an XR200 piston (which means boring it, IIRC, .100), there were pits in the shape of the rust along one side of the cylinder, about halfway down. I had rather low expectations of the engine so I went ahead and used it. It ran fine and made good power but it smoked.

The only part i see you might have gone wrong is the main journals in the block they should have been greased other wise you're in for a line bore and on a V8 that messes the timing chain tension some.

Real rusty crusty parts get a trip to the tank.

http://antique-engines.com/electrol.asp

I use a 20 gallon storage tub for my set up.

Years ago, when I visited the Jeep plant, they put the fresh block castings outdoors to cool.