How to store spare engine parts?

[Peter]

I have an engine with a blown head and block. I think that other than that, there are many useable parts on it. What would be the best way to store those parts? In light of the pictures on the nasty barn beasty thread, I am thinking a barn is not the best answer.

Best idea I have had so far - tear it all apart, clean each piece carefully, wipe down with a nice thick oil, and then, vacuum pack whatever I can, which I suspect will be quite a lot of it.

Anybody have thoughts, suggestions?

Thank you,

Peter

PS - the head was blown from cranking with water in cylinder. I spoke to one person who suggested this would have damaged the crank - anybody have any insights?

[ndutton]

I absolutely agree the crank is suspect. The A-4 has no center main bearing, 4 journals suspended at the ends only and the force of a hydraulic event is certainly enough to tweak it.

Cranks can be straightened but frankly the cost will approach or exceed a replacement from MMI.

[toddster]

I have kind of been pondering the same question, for cruising spares. Tossing them naked into the bilge, or some cranny, is probably not good. Vacuum bagging sounds like an interesting solution. Maybe include some desiccant?

A few years ago, I did some analysis on a customers' corrosion-inhibitor product. It appeared to be a light oil, but was actually a very fine emulsion that could be misted onto metal parts to form a very thin film. It seemed pretty cool, but as far as I could determine at the time, only came in 50 gallon barrels. I am hoarding the leftover sample until I can find a similar product in consumer-sized packaging.

[Al Schober]

For storing parts, I'd use a rust inhibitor (cosmoline?) and packaging or wrapping. The packaging is mostly to keep the rust inhibitor from hardening in the long term (years) which makes it difficult to remove.