How to store a Cummins

["Mad Max"]

Howdy peoples - how's it smokin'?



Most of y'all know my 93 punted a Ford Ranger of the road back in February, during which time I was 100% into the 78 Ramcharger project, and since then my 93 has sat, broken and waiting, to be repaired. I vowed to do one project at a time, and my shop is full of 'Ramcharger', so I want to ask the congregation what things I need to do to mothball the diesel until, say, next Spring.

It will be outdoors, and the plumbing is all sealed, and the engine has not turned since February. When the rig goes into the shop it will go under the saw and the mods will begin, which will include the new transmission, so other than the engine I'm not too concerned with the externals. I decided not to mod the engine yet - it will remain unopened after the chassis/body mods. The suspension will be all replaced and converted to 4wd so I'm not concerned with springs, wheels, etc. I could toss in a battery and fire it up again but the fan is burried in the radiator. Could remove the fan of course but the intercooler is also toast and I don't want to suck in any debris, etc.

So my question is this: What can I do, at this point, to the engine/pump/systems, to ensure they'll awaken after a year or more of not running?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks y'all,

- Sam

 

[DieselTweaker]

Sam



would it be possible for you to pull the engine and atleast store it inside?

 

["Mad Max"]

Thought about doing that - it's coming out anyway. It'd just be logistics and we could do it in a week end. I'm not looking forward to it being out in the winter out here. The shop is heated so that's probably a good idea.

I'm betting the pump still has fuel in it and would probably fire right now, but if I pull the engine I'd want to know what to be sure to do and not do for storage purposes. I know what a V8 gasser needs to have done after a hibernation, but not sure about a Cummins.

- S

 

[Greenleaf]

I recently acquired a truck from our fellow member Tugger. He parked the truck a number of years ago along side the driveway. I installed a new battery, primed the fuel pump and started it.



You need to concern yourself with the cost of the truck project, not how to store the engine. Just MHO





-S

 

["Mad Max"]

Well it's always going to cost eh? , but for sure it'll be a lot less than a new one, and I like the 'build-to-suit' option. For storing it, I'm more just looking to preserve whatever I need to preserve until I'm ready to crack 'er open. I didn't really figure there'd be too much to worry about, but there's usually some great tips out there in diesel land that can help in the long run.



Here's a link to my little RC project that's delaying the diesel project - This is my 3rd and final (I hope) RC - I've always wanted to build my "ultimate sport utility vehicle", and I think this'll do it: http://ramchargercentral.com/boards...722fdd307c8b6b6d7a0926116739419&topic=49434.0



As for the diesel, here's a link to our own conversions section: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114511



I already have the 48RE, NP205, dana 80 and dana 60 cores, of which the 80 and 60 have already been checked out and are just getting new bearings, seals, and clutches. LaserBob at DTT in Greeley, CO is building the lock-up trans, only mine will have a 1sg gen od unit and the mated 205, the suspension will be leafs until I'm good and ready to install the air systems, and the cab and chassis... . well lets just say they're going to be modified a bit. Only thing I'm doing to the engine is a Snow system and tweak the pump a lot. Turbo/injectors already good to go (thanks to PDR at dynofest '03).

- Sam

 

[JLEONARD]

Sam,

What we do as boaters in New England to store the engines for the winter is do an oil change, make sure the antifreeze is correct, seal the exhaust and intake, and remove the serpentine belt so it doesn't take a set.

Hope this helps.

Jay

 

[tugboatphil]

He parked the truck a number of years ago along side the driveway. I installed a new battery, primed the fuel pump and started it.

It did indeed. One thing I'd recommend, mouse traps inside. The truck didn't have a problem, but the wife's old 97 Malibu has a mummified mouse bouncing around inside the fan blower, in the dash.

 

[PToombs]

Sam, I bought an '89 w250 last fall. (my $250 truck) It had been sitting for 4 or 5 years. I put in a battery, checked the oil, and pumped the LP half a dozen times. It turned over 1. 5 times and was running. Like the others said, seal it up and let it set. Mouse traps or mothballs is a good idea, it had a nest in the heater box. Stinky!