Hello, everyone.
I hope that I am not retreading something that you real time listers have
put to be already (sorry, but I have bee writing strategy documents today
so I am on a buzzword high).
If a motor that has been stored for a long time can be turned over, I would
probably attempt to start it. I would change the oil and remove the hot
lead to the coil, The spark plugs, the valve cover, and the oil pressure
switch. I would then squirt some oil down the cylinders and turn the
engine over in 15 20 second bursts with some time between for the starter
to cool. If you don't see oil coming out of the pressure hole followed by
oil around the top end (I don't know if MG engines oil through the pushrods
or not but if they do, the top of the pushrods would be the place to look).
If you see oil in these places, button the engine back up and give it a
shot.
On the flip side, the engine will for sure leak from every orifice due to
dry gaskets and probably burn oil like no tommorrow due to rust on the
cylinder walls and loss of tension in the rings. There is also a slight
risk in causing internal damage due to rust going thought the bearings but
this is very slight. In all likelyhood, you will want to rebuild the
engine.
I have resurrected quite a few cars after long periods of inactivity. On
our farm, we had an excess of motorized vehicles so when one broke, it was
usually just set aside until someone had the time / enthusiasm to fix it.
The only time that I remember where one didn't come back (provided you
could break the engine loose) was an Amphicar that had sat with water
inside it (keeps water out, keeps water in). The crankcase had been
submerged and, when started, it did not have any oil flow (none came out of
the transducer hole).
The nice part of getting it running befor you tear it apart is that you can
test other systems. Also, you can drive it a bit (provided the brakes
work) and develop an attachement to the car. This attachement can be a
great motivator when you have to ask your financial adviser for another
500.00 above the last 500.00 that was above you initial estimate of how
much it would cost to get your LBC on the road.
Good Luck
Bill Eastman
61 MGA
|