As a COVID project I got this Crossflow engine from a bloke that wanted to do an LS conversion for a ZL Fairlane to a skid car. Win-Win as he got some cash and I saved what looked like a good engine from scrap or getting blown-up.
Disclaimer here, this is the first engine I have ever done anything with beyond changing the oil, spark plugs and coolant so I'm not going to pretend I know anything.
The aim was to try and learn something new while tearing it down and confirm it was a decent engine for when I can get a shed built and relocate the XF S-Pack from over the border. The XF should be an 84DA block with OEM carby & intake (if it is still all original). The new engine will be an insurance policy as the plan will be to keep the XF as original as possible although reading through the posts here it looks like the 86DA & HF-7 head are improvements. I did forget to ask for the ECU.
The dismantle went well and the only casualties were the water pump and ISC Valve. Removing the fan without the four bolts that secure the pulley was fun but I got there in the end. Internals looked pretty clean so I'm hoping that the majority of its life it was driven like a Fairlane not a skid car.
The local shop where I get my Family Truckster serviced inspected the block and heads and said they are sound and good for a future rebuild if required. They got the pistons (0.040) off the rods for me and gave the sump, exhaust manifold and rocker cover a clean-up but left the block and head as is.
Everything is home now and the block is back on the engine stand so my plan was to put the following components back together so that I can seal everything up on the stand and stop it deteriorating or anything getting lost / damaged:
Sump
Block
Crank
Cam
Head
Rocker Cover
Timing Cover
Exhaust Manifold
Injector Rail
Intake Manifold an Plenum
Thermostat and Water Pump
The following parts are now wrapped up and stored away in containers:
Rods
Flywheel
Valves / Springs / Rockers / Pushrods / Tappets
Distributor
Oil Pump and pick-up
Timing Chain and Sprocket
Power Steering
Alternator
I'm chasing any advice I can get but the things that came to mind first were:
Should I be putting all these components back together or keeping them apart,
With new gaskets would I bolt it together at a bit less than full torque given I'm just storing not running, and
Will a light coat of oil on the internals be enough or should I use assembly lube or grease if it is going to sit for a couple of years ahead of being stripped again for rebuild.
Thanks