Starting an engine which has been sitting for years

[sujitroy]

I have a spare Mk1 Stag engine mated to a BW35 gearbox. I was told the unit was pulled from a Stag as the gearbox failed. The engine has an early manifold on it. The type with the non-bypass thermostat.
I'm planning to get this engine running on a rig in my garage. I'm am not sure when the engine was last run. What are the chances of it running without the water pump leaking? I really don't want to put the manifold off. I do however have a later type manifold I can swap out. At the very least, I want to make sure the engine has good compression and oil pressure.

Sujit

[Philip Wardle]

Hi Sujit, to assess the risk of leaks from the water pump and cooling system in general I would use a pressure test kit to see if it will hold air at 20 PSI one you have it plumbed-in on your rig.

[Chris01573]

Hi Sujit, I would turn over by hand and see if you feel any resitance or if there is any scraping, a boroscope down the bores would be a good idea. Otherwise you risk further damage.

[ramjam2005]

Hi Sujit, I would turn over by hand and see if you feel any resitance or if there is any scraping, a boroscope down the bores would be a good idea. Otherwise you risk further damage.

+1
If it does freely move by hand after several full revolutions and you're feeling confident (with fresh oil ! ), consider spinning it over initially on the starter motor without any HT connections or fuel feed to prevent it firing. I used to do this regularly with the spark plugs out when I mothballed my car. But since the engine was removed several years back and has sat around, it's now seized !!

[Goldstar]

+1
If it does freely move by hand after several full revolutions and you're feeling confident (with fresh oil ! ), consider spinning it over initially on the starter motor without any HT connections or fuel feed to prevent it firing. I used to do this regularly with the spark plugs out when I mothballed my car. But since the engine was removed several years back and has sat around, it's now seized !!

I have an engine that was seized Ray. I’d heard of the effectiveness of putting a dash of diesel down the spark plug holes for a few weeks so I tried it. To be honest I then forgot about the engine for some months. When I remembered it (hit my shin on the crank bolt) I turned it over by hand and hey presto it turned. Clearly need to take it apart to check for scoring etc but it’s a start.

[ramjam2005]

I have an engine that was seized Ray. I’d heard of the effectiveness of putting a dash of diesel down the spark plug holes for a few weeks so I tried it. To be honest I then forgot about the engine for some months. When I remembered it (hit my shin on the crank bolt) I turned it over by hand and hey presto it turned. Clearly need to take it apart to check for scoring etc but it’s a start.

Without Hijacking Sujits topic, thanks for the tip but I tried that some time back as it was a trick passed down to me by my dear old Dad (God rest him), a trained old school mechanic. I placed each V vertically in turn on the engine stand filled with diesel for a few days with no avail - SOLID !! I might give it another go, leaving for much much longer like you done.
Ray

[sujitroy]

I do plan to be careful with the engine, but it doesn't seems that the water pump is a must for now anyway. I am ok with it leaking somewhat but my plan is to check for compression and oil pressure. If these hold up, I consider swapping out the manifold and since that will be off, I might as well take a look at the pump at that time. Folks over here in USA, swear by https://marvelmysteryoil.com/ to be put down each cylinder.
Sujit

[ramjam2005]

I used to use a similar product, Redex additive mixed with engine oil to squirt down the bores before turning over by hand using one of those old fashioned oil cans with a long thin flexi hose on it that fitted through the spark plug hole. Then turn over on starter motor as I described above to build up a oil pressure and circulate around the engine before firing it up.