My engine sat for at least 20 years after I built it.
I changed the valve springs.
I poured oil in the line between the filter and oil pump.
My Accusump pushed oil through it before starting.
It seems to be OK. I have about 300 miles on it now.
Jake, my mechanic plans to change the springs and do an initial boroscope of the engine. I understand there are limitations to that. We do plan to proceed with caution. I have yet to review any of the documentation that Oscar sent along. Maybe you could tell me the approximate time this engine had been run/tested prior to its shipping and anything else you KNOW that would be helpful in resuscitating one of your engines. That would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Raby knowledge doesnt come for free.
I can try. After all, I did actually buy one of his products. Indirectly.
Original owners rate the support- they paid the hefty price for the engine and have purchased a chunk of my life, much more than a product. Oscar called me after 11 years when he decided to sell this engine and not only did I remember him, I helped him. Thats what he and ALL my original purchasers have extended to them. Secondary purchasers get what comes with the engine from the seller- thats all.
The engines had about 4 hours of run time on them when they left my shop- test time only. After that I HAVE NO IDEA what was done, who touched them or what has been disassembled/ changed/ altered/modified/ screwed up.
Those 50 year old barn finds may fire up, but most seize valves and break valve springs shortly thereafter. Anything will run; how long it will run and what collateral damage will exist when it fails are two different things. Those engines also don't have .500 lift camshafts and dual valve springs like the engine in question here.
As I stated, the "twin" of this engine was stored right next to it for about 7 of those 11 years. It was bought by someone else and then sent to me. The cylinders had started to rust, the engine had fiberglass dust all inside of it and the valve springs on two cylinders had been compressed the entire time, because no one respected the engines enough to turn them over periodically. The carbs were packed with fiberglass dust and had to be completely disassembled and ultrasonically cleaned.
If this engine isn't treated to TLC initially its not a matter of "if" something will happen, its a matter of when it will happen. Also, considering the somewhat "bad blood" that has existed with this engine and disgruntled customers/ employees/ etc I would not rule out sabotage as a possibility. Lots happened in that 11 years, the engine moved shops 2-3 times. I have had engines sabotaged in the past and it sucks.
The engine needs to be completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected, valve springs replaced and everything liberally lubricated before being started. I have a chunk of my life invested in that engine; so pardon me for not wanting it to scatter.
In my position one learns to assume nothing and quantify everything. The odds are stacked against this engine. Good deals can become really crappy deals really quickly when corners are cut. I have had a dozen engines break valve springs after being stored for just 3-4 years without being turned over as the spring is not built for a museum piece that sits static. Break a valve spring, spot the keepers out and drop a valve- when that happens you usually have a hole through the block.
You now know where I stand. Make your own decision.
The engines had about 4 hours of run time on them when they left my shop- test time only. After that I HAVE NO IDEA what was done, who touched them or what has been disassembled/ changed/ altered/modified/ screwed up.
Those 50 year old barn finds may fire up, but most seize valves and break valve springs shortly thereafter. Anything will run; how long it will run and what collateral damage will exist when it fails are two different things. Those engines also don't have .500 lift camshafts and dual valve springs like the engine in question here.
As I stated, the "twin" of this engine was stored right next to it for about 7 of those 11 years. It was bought by someone else and then sent to me. The cylinders had started to rust, the engine had fiberglass dust all inside of it and the valve springs on two cylinders had been compressed the entire time, because no one respected the engines enough to turn them over periodically. The carbs were packed with fiberglass dust and had to be completely disassembled and ultrasonically cleaned.
If this engine isn't treated to TLC initially its not a matter of "if" something will happen, its a matter of when it will happen. Also, considering the somewhat "bad blood" that has existed with this engine and disgruntled customers/ employees/ etc I would not rule out sabotage as a possibility. Lots happened in that 11 years, the engine moved shops 2-3 times. I have had engines sabotaged in the past and it sucks.
The engine needs to be completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected, valve springs replaced and everything liberally lubricated before being started. I have a chunk of my life invested in that engine; so pardon me for not wanting it to scatter.
In my position one learns to assume nothing and quantify everything. The odds are stacked against this engine. Good deals can become really crappy deals really quickly when corners are cut. I have had a dozen engines break valve springs after being stored for just 3-4 years without being turned over as the spring is not built for a museum piece that sits static. Break a valve spring, spot the keepers out and drop a valve- when that happens you usually have a hole through the block.
You now know where I stand. Make your own decision.
Jake, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to elaborate. The other engine had been un-crated and installed onto Oscar's Spyder build and left open to that process for however long, hence all the filth you refer to. The other engine, this one, was not exposed to those same conditions and remained in the crate. I'm certainly concerned with corrosion, lubrication, etc. Its condition upon arrival here shows nowhere near the same condition as the black shrouded engine which I saw a picture of. I/we will take all of your advice with a large degree of caution and with luck, will not have to take the drastic steps of a complete tear down. Hopefully, this piece of work of yours will live a long and happy life into the future.
That sounds promising. I have seen a pic where BOTH engines were being used as door stops in 2002.. One of my customers took it when he went to "that shop" to check in on his car being built.