storing an engine
Briefly: I stored my 0-320 for eight years, then hung it, and it started within a few blade turns first time out!
Details: I completed and flew my RV in 1990, 0-SMOH; then the stork started delivering babies, so I took it apart in 1996 after 350TT, and stored everything in my garage. Used Aeroshell MIL-C-6529C Type 1 preservative oil and followed Lycoming directions for pickling (dessicants, preservative oil run, etc). Made a habit of airbrushing the inside of cylinders and exhaust ports with same preservative oil about once a year. Didn't move the crank (taped it with a big 'DO NOT ROTATE' sign). Then, put it all back together in 2004 - pulled one jug just to have a look: the cam and everything else was fine. 250 flight hrs later, still running fine. The garage was dry enough so that bare steel (old airplane parts) did not rust. Burns one quart every 25 hrs (the old "cermi-chrome", if anyone remembers that), all cylinders 78/80. Tied down on the ramp since 2004 (scary), but just got it into a hanger (sigh)
- Steven
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