Precautions for initial start on an OLD crate engine

clean8485

Comic Book Super Hero
Dec 18, 2005
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Ontario, Canada
I have an old GM 350 SBC crate engine that I picked up a few years ago. Its a 300HP version that was produced in the late 1990s. It has never been installed, and never been run. Are there any precautions that I should take before installing it? I was thinking about using a tool to turn the oil pump and pre-lube the engine, and putting some oil into the cylinders before I attempt to turn the crank. Is there any reason for concern regarding the front and rear crankshaft seals on this engine? Its at least 25 years old, and as I said, its never been run. Thanks in advance.
 
Jeff,
Adding oil into it and priming the oil pump is not a bad idea. As for the condition of the seals, it's going to be a crapshoot. It would be cool if it could be started on a stand before installing it into the car. It also couldn't hurt to add some oil or Marvel Mystery into the cylinders.
 
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Thanks for you help Jack. The way I was going to go with it, would be to squirt some Marvel Mystery Oil down the cylinders first, to let it soak for awhile, then fill the crankcase with oil (probably a break-in oil with zinc in it, since this engine has a flat tappet cam and lifters), install an oil filter (after filling the filter with oil), then using a priming tool to pressurize the engine with oil. I purchased a socket that goes on the crank snout at the front. After priming, I figured that I would try to rotate the engine using that socket with a breaker bar, and see how that goes. As I said before, my big concern is whether or not the front and rear crank seals have dried out over time, and may possibly leak after the engine is running. I'm thinking that it might be advisable to replace the front and rear crank seals, and the oil pan gasket, before installing the engine in the car, since I really don't want to have to do that after the engine is installed.
 

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