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tahoe healey

tahoe healey

Yoda
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As driving season approaches, Hagerty recommended oil in each cylinder before starting. I've never done this except for first time after rebuild. It sounds like a very good idea. The last time I drove the car was early February as we had little snow at the time. (just got 4 feet last weekend) The question is how long should a car be stored before this becomes necessary?
 
I remember this being done before the car is put away.
When done just before starting it up again it only works on the upper pistonring

Time is not the issue, moisture (/ rust) is

Hans
 
I've been storing mine for 5-6 months for 30 years and never done this. I don't know how the oil would get spread evenly to the cylinder walls unless you put a lot in and then you may foul the spark plugs. Mine cranks for 10-15 sec. before it fires up after the storage period and builds oil pressure during that time. It also takes several tries before it runs steadily. Seems like a lot of hassle to remove the plugs and get an indeterminate amount of oil in the cylinders for an indeterminate benefit.
 
TimK said:
I've been storing mine for 5-6 months for 30 years and never done this. I don't know how the oil would get spread evenly to the cylinder walls unless you put a lot in and then you may foul the spark plugs. Mine cranks for 10-15 sec. before it fires up after the storage period and builds oil pressure during that time. It also takes several tries before it runs steadily. Seems like a lot of hassle to remove the plugs and get an indeterminate amount of oil in the cylinders for an indeterminate benefit.
Click to expand...

Agree. Have you ever set aside an oily tool or part and come back to it in a couple months and found it completely dry, with no oily film on it?
 
And a recipe for oiling plugs and making starting difficult.

There's a strong case for using fully synthetic oil in old cars because it sticks to surfaces for far longer, it doesn't easily dissolve in petrol, so protects top rings better and it withstands higher temperatures and pressures than conventional oil. Good for cam lobes and top rings.

Amd when you start your engine, because it is thinner when cold, it more quickly reaches all the parts of the engine that need it.

Ash
 
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