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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Oil for storing Cylinder Head?


Started reading my Vizard and he recommends oiling heads and blocks while in storage, doesn't give an oil type though.

What's best? Engine oil or something like 5 in 1?

Andy
a borris

And when I fit it, how to make sure the oil is off the head mating surface?

Andy
a borris

something that sticks, motorbike chain or industrial open gear spray, to get it off good old petrol
Alex Sturgeon

I find it easier to smear with bearing grease and clean with paraffin (safer) with a final clean of mating faces with brake cleaner or celly thinners.
David Smith


Thank you, I have all those items in the garage already (somewhere!), so don't have to put my hand in my pocket.

That's a nice feeling.

Andy
a borris

This subject came up on another board a couple of weeks ago. One person recommended "Pull the head, get a spray can of "fogging oil" (from any boat dealer, West Marine, etc) and coat the exposed surfaces of the block and cylinder walls." I've never heard of this stuff, but if it will protect parts in a marine environment it sounds like the perfect solution.
Bill Young

I've got several cans of fogging oil that I inherited from my father-in-law. I thought it was meant for carbs (I didn't read the label even). I used some recently to coat the inside of a master cylinder while I waited for pieces to rebuild. It stinks to high heaven. Not sure if it's a thick enough coating for long term storage, it kept the MC from rusting while sitting around for a few weeks. I used brake cleaner to clean it out before reassembly. FWIW
J Van Dyke

Andy. I have used sprayed on oil for short term protection--a week or less in conditions of relatively low humidity. For longer storage, I agree with David that grease should be used. Oil will tend to thin on the upper and/or vertical surfaces, leaving them exposed to moisture. Grease does not.

Much is going to depend on how long the parts are to be stored. The longer the storage, the better the quality of protection that will be needed. Same thing applies as to the conditions the parts will be stored under. If they are stored in a dry, temperature controlled environment, there will be a lower chance of rust developing. If they are stored in an area of higher humidity and where temperature changes are common (such as in a garage), the level of protection needs to be greater.

Parts are best stored on shelves, sitting on blocks of wood over which a piece of plastic has been placed. (The plastic shopping bags used in the US are fine for this. The idea is to allow air to circulate and keep the parts out of direct contact with the wood which can absorb moisture. Covering the parts, lightly, with some form of dust cover may be a good idea.

I have not used fogging oil, but will look into it. Any parts which are coated with oil, a moisture displacing oil (WD-40 is one brand, there are better), or grease need to be throughly cleaned. Paraffin (kerosene) is generally available and does not produce the fumes that petrol does. It does leave a slightly oily residue behind which needs to be cleaned off of the mating surfaces. Alcohol, TCE, acetone, brake cleaner, etc. work well for this. Simple green is a very effective cleaner, but contains water. Parts cleaned in it/with it need to be protected, immediately, if they are not to begin rusting.

Les
Les Bengtson

I use thinned down waxoyl for coating parts in long term storage, comes off easily enough even after years.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

FWIW, I used STP oil treatment - same as I used for assembly lube.
Nick

We would use fish oil here, not sure if it is available there.
Shawn

I oil the non painted/projected surfaces, then spray everything in WD40 and wrap in several layers of cling film. I tend to store the most important bits under the stairs in the house ready to be used, it can end up looking like an Egyptian tomb.
Andy Barrass

Fish oil?? Is that a trade name or do you actually use Fish oil??

Mind you I am quite fond of using Duck Oil!! Dare you ask!!

Carl
C Bintcliffe

No, it is fish oil, stinks real bad!
Shawn

This thread was discussed between 03/12/2008 and 14/12/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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