Best way to preserve OM617?
 

So I decided to keep the short block out of my TD. The wagon head is still going to be sold, I will find another regular(cheaper) head when need be.

I have the block sitting on one of those dollies you put under your tires to move a car around your garage. It's sitting outside where I removed the block, by myself I might add:confused: I have it wrapped in a blue tarp for now.

There is a distinct possibility that it might have to be stored outside, as my garage is a disaster, but I would cover it to keep the rain off. How would I go about protecting the cylinder walls and pistons? I thought about smearing grease on all the exposed sensitive parts, then wrapping the top where the head was with plastic and duct tape. Then wrapping in a tarp.. finally making a little plywood cover for it to keep the rain/snow off, I could also clean out my garage:rolleyes:

Does this sound reasonable?

I kept the block because it ran very well AND I am having a weird "calling" to put an OM617 in a Jeep Cherokee. The time frame for possible use of the block is 6-18 months.

I was going to suggest a really big Ball jar :)

Is there a vacuum bag that will fit over it and not tear?

Sixto
87 300D

I dunno if they make vacuum bags that big. I've always wanted to get some for the house. Do you think I should find some desiccant pouches and throw them on top of the pistons?

there is no way to store it outside safely.

the block needs to be heavily oiled, and sealed in a bag. engine rebuilders have access to 10 or 15 mil clear bags. maybe a machine shop could get one? I guess you could submerge it in a large footlocker filled with motor oil... they make some of the plastic ones that are water tight... maybe a giant cooler?

Clean it very well, paint the block and put a nice piece of thick beveled glass on top and store it in your living room as a coffee table.

Put a thick layer of grease over all surfaces, and not store it outside. However, this would buy you a little time.

Well I guess I can put it in the garage. It's just original to the house(1926) and not very big. I have it loaded with tools, car parts and straw(for the chickens). My 300D will fit in the garage with the door shut but you can't walk around the car. In fact, when I was doing the 5 spd swap in the garage I moved all the "crap" outside and covered it with tarps. And the back end stuck out past the door all winter. I need to clean up the mess and organize stuff to the basement. I just hate running to the basement every time I need a part or to look at something.

I will ask around for a bag.

walmart for a vacuum blanket bag would work.
also, walmart has the tubs with a lid that would be large enough to put the motor without a head in, then fill with oil, and put the lid on tight.

That sounds like a lot of oil lol

I will look at the bags. Thanks

Go to a motorcycle shop and buy a can of Maxima chainwax chainlube or a similar chainwax that dries hard. Spray it wherever you don't want rust. Let it dry. Wrap in in 4 mill plastic. Store it on blocks of wood on it's side. Try to keep the sun off of it. It will be good for years. I would bet the chainwax alone would work for 2 years outside. I had a FJ40 block that kicked around my shop for years inside and out until the plastic was brittle and blowing away. Opened up what was left of the plastic and the bores were like new.

There is always the old military standby....cosmoline. There are different grades of cosmoline and it is available in spray cans up to 5 gal. buckets. It was designed to protect even the big guns on naval ships from salt water spray. It can be warmed to ~120 degrees for easier application, including dipping.

http://www.cosmolinedirect.com/

If you go the sealed plastic bag route indoors or out....you want a non-corrosive dessicant to put in the sealed bag. Which means DON'T use Damp-rid thats salt based.

You want to sell it if you can't store it inside out of the rain and away from mice. Tarps trap moisture which will cause rust. You can set it in a corner and stack other things on top but don't leave it in the weather - covered or not.

+1 There is a reason it is still used today by BMW and other german mfgs. It just plain works. I use it as undercoating and on suspension parts.

Beware using large plastic storage container unless you buy top quality. Some won't stand freezing temps. I ruined a pile of parts and tools trying to use one for the same reasons as you....