bmwe21.net forums

I don't know if this topic should go into "technical" category.

Has anyone ever stored an engine for later use, or do you all sell or split or scrap your old engine when you do an engine conversion?

How is -or should- this be properly done? Are there any ready made special boxes (on wheels) or should such a thing be custom made?
and, apart form that, what liquids (oils, special cleaning fluids, anti-rust fluids etc.) should there exist or not exist in the engine to be stored?

Drain it and store it upright. Don't store it outside. Apart from that can store an engine for a couple of years easy

Wooden box and inside closed parking space hope it is ok?

And, why only two years? If I go for an engine conversion I want to keep my old engine (I do not know yet for how many years..)

petroscf wrote:Wooden box and inside closed parking space hope it is ok?

And, why only two years? If I go for an engine conversion I want to keep my old engine (I do not know yet for how many years..)

because I don't have experienced storing an engine longer than that

Have you tried Google? Storing an engine is nog an e21-only thing you know... I guess there ar ton's of topics answering your question

Yes I found already some things in Google
However, I wondered whether anyone in here has had any similar experience, so I might be addressed straight to somebody who has a box with the especially spec'd for M10 and order straight instead of taking measurements and custom making something

I don't think there are many people who store their engines in spec'd boxes, usually they use a pallet or an engine stand.

Indeed, I am the odd one out...

I have re-used engines that have sat for 10 years+, generally in unused cars. As long as they are kept dry and upright they should be fine, I'd pour some oil down the bores and turn it over first.
Do remember though that oil seals and gaskets fail and will develop leaks even if you use the car every day, so the longer you leave an engine unused the greater the risk of a failure.

Ok, which means that, in order to re-use it, one day, better do some work on it first, replace gaskets, seals etc.?

Any idea on where to find the dimensions of M10?
in order to know the storing box required dimensions