Rebuilt short block, never ran. But it has sat for about 8 years. Pulled one piston all looks good so far, but the oil on the rings ect looks pretty thick and gummy. We will be tearing it down to check clearances (as the builder is unknown), clean and relube ect. Will the rings be ok to use after they have sat for 8 years? Thanks John
1970 Land Cruiser, 351w, NP435
(locked up front and rear)
1965 Galaxie, 428, C6, 3.89 gear,
Detroit locker
1979 Spectra Day Cruiser
stock 350ci Brand X, Mercruiser..53mph on GPS
The aged rings will be just fine in the fresh bores, but overlubrication can be an issue, particularly the thickened kind, as it can form carbon deposits. Clean the rings and grooves up, freshly lube the rings lightly, and you'll be good.
If you are running flat tappet lifters (which you are), be sure to break the engine in using an oil or additive that contains sufficient amounts of ZDDP (zinc dialkyldithiophosphate, or zinc dimethyldithiophosphate, or similar) to sacrificially protect the cam lobes during break in. If you are using a hot cam you must keep using the zinc additives in some degree to prevent cam lobe and lifter wear issues. Modern engines use roller lifters which don't require the zinc additive, and the zinc is a problem in catalytic converters, so it has been dropped from most modern oils, but remains readily available for pre-catalytic engines if you search for it.
1970 Land Cruiser, 351w, NP435
(locked up front and rear)
1965 Galaxie, 428, C6, 3.89 gear,
Detroit locker
1979 Spectra Day Cruiser
stock 350ci Brand X, Mercruiser..53mph on GPS
