TR2/3/3A Engine Storage Ideas

[CJD]

This is a bit of an odd ball thread. When I took the TR2 motor apart it had been sitting in a field for 31 years. One of the valve springs was apparently compressed for that entire length of time, and when it came out it was forever compressed 1/2" shorter than the other springs. Since this engine will be sitting in the garage at least a year before I finish the rest of the restoration and get it running again...that got me thinking about how to prevent having another spring sit compressed.

My first thought was to back off the rocker shaft studs. The down side of that is that I prefer to use a bit of sealant around the rear pedastal, since that is where the oil comes up from the head. I don't know of any sealant that I trust to stay flexible that long, so I'd end up having to remove the rockers anyway.

Then, I thought I'd just back off all the adjuster nuts, like I used to do for all my Chevy V8's I store...and then set the valves when it's time to run the motor. Still a pain.

Well, it finally occurred to me what the best way is to store a 4 banger, and it's really much easier. Just make sure the crank is at the TDC mark. At the TDC mark all the valves are either closed or only open a few thousandths of an inch. Simple! Now I can set the valve clearances, oil it up and set it aside for the next year without having to remember to adjust anything later.

And a lesson...My TR3 sits for a month at a time. From now on I will make sure the crank is always at the TDC mark when I plan to let it sit!

Anyway...just thinking out loud...

 

[TR3driver]

There's really no need for sealant under the rear pedestal, though. There is no pressure at all in that passage, so any leak will be miniscule. And since it is inside the rocker cover, any drops that do escape will just harmlessly run back down to the crankcase.

I make it a habit to watch the valve train with the engine running (at every major tune-up), to ensure that the passages to the rockers are all open. The oil moves very slowly through the rocker shaft, which can sometimes allow the shaft to fill with sludge and block flow to the rockers. I've never seen any oil at all coming out of that joint.

 

[trrdster2000]

Why not take the rocker shaft off as if it sat that long I would have to have a look at it and the rocker bushings. Many a TR engine has been starved for oil in the no1 and no2 valve area just due to leaks along the way from shaft wear and bushing wear. It's even worse on the TR6, further too go with the same system.
Don't worry about exposure to the elements, use something like Saran Wrap, seals a treat against dust.

Wayne