starting old engines

johnjohnhealy · 07-08-2006, 21:32

Anyone got any idea on what I should do when I first try and start an engine thats been standing for 5 years or so?

I'm obviously gonna change the oil first, and check the engines not seized by turning it by hand but should I then just connect the battery and try to fire her up?

It's the V8 in my recently acquired Supercharged SD1.

Some have suggested trying to turn the oil pump by hand to get some lubrication flowing (i'm not sure if thats possible on this engine) or removing the rocker covers and dousing it all in oil.

Am I being paranoid and should I just crank it!

simontreen · 07-08-2006, 21:37

I learnt from experience (on my old XJ6) that you should probably try and get some oil into the cylinders before trying to start it, in case any corrosion has formed around the piston rings.

It was suggested (after the fact - ain't hindsight wonderful!) that some light penetrating oil in the spark plug holes a few days before should help loosen things up.

Mine started fine after being stood for a few years but as the piston rings had corroded to the walls they promptly broke up and found their way out via the valve openings resulting in an expensive re-bore, oversize pistons and skim.

TeflonTom · 08-08-2006, 01:42

iirc the rover v8 lump has a external oil pump which is belt driven. you could turn this by hand or make a spigot to fit into a battery drill to turn it quickly.

in my experience the rover v8 suffers from oil starvation problems particualerly on the no 5 main bearing(because it's furthest away from the oil pump.

ric04vrs · 12-08-2006, 21:37

i agree , take the plugs out and lube the bores a couple of days before and at the same time see if the engine will actually turn over by hand , if it doesn't don't even attempt to start it , if it does move though make sure it will do a complete revolution , not just back and forth , if all is ok , then remove rocker covers and lube valve gear generously refit covers , at first i wouldn't try to start the engine , just attach a battery to it and crank over with the plugs removed to get oil pressure up, a suitable gauge would be useful , then assuming you've got oil pressure , some fuel , sparks at the plugs you could attempt to start , good luck

VRSPhil · 12-08-2006, 21:45

Remove plugs and pour a little redex into the bores. Pour a little oil into the oil filler cap to lubricate the top end and then turn over by hand a few times to make sure its all moving freely. Turn engine over on the motor untill oil pressure light goes out (make sure plugs are not randomly sparking though - disconect lt lead)Refit plugs and fire up...

TeflonTom · 12-08-2006, 21:48

i agree with with ric04vrs, you dont say wether it has points or the later electronic ignition. if it has the old contact breaker set-up make sure that the distributor hasn't siezed before you turn the engine over too.

Johnnyc · 13-08-2006, 00:55

I agree with all of the above but I would also remove the coil lead and turn the engine on the starter a few times before starting it.

johnjohnhealy · 13-08-2006, 16:43

Cheers guys, i'll let you know the result, hopefully next weekend.

It's got a normal distibutor so i'll disconnect the coil lead, I wont have the plugs in untill i've got some oil pressure on the guage first anyway just to make sure its ok.

I've been told I can prime the oil pump by putting some oil down the outside feed to the oil filter and turning the engine backwards by hand.

I'm just waiting for the guy who sold me the car to e-mail back wether he started her or turned the engine or took any precautions while it was in storage, that might make life easier as it was truly his pride and joy and he cried when we drove off!! hopefully he'll have turned the engine.

Anyone know any good websites/forums for old rover V8 stuff?

07-08-2006, 21:32	#1
johnjohnhealy Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: UK south east Posts: 2,431 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	starting old engines Anyone got any idea on what I should do when I first try and start an engine thats been standing for 5 years or so? I'm obviously gonna change the oil first, and check the engines not seized by turning it by hand but should I then just connect the battery and try to fire her up? It's the V8 in my recently acquired Supercharged SD1. Some have suggested trying to turn the oil pump by hand to get some lubrication flowing (i'm not sure if thats possible on this engine) or removing the rocker covers and dousing it all in oil. Am I being paranoid and should I just crank it!

07-08-2006, 21:37	#2
simontreen Engerland-Maybe Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: High Wycombe...not the horrible built-up bit though. I'm out in Walter's Ash on the edge of the Chilterns. Beautiful countryside - f*%king expensive houses :( Posts: 794 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: starting old engines I learnt from experience (on my old XJ6) that you should probably try and get some oil into the cylinders before trying to start it, in case any corrosion has formed around the piston rings. It was suggested (after the fact - ain't hindsight wonderful!) that some light penetrating oil in the spark plug holes a few days before should help loosen things up. Mine started fine after being stood for a few years but as the piston rings had corroded to the walls they promptly broke up and found their way out via the valve openings resulting in an expensive re-bore, oversize pistons and skim. __________________ Si The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair - Douglas Adams Last edited by simontreen; 07-08-2006 at 21:38.

08-08-2006, 01:42	#3
TeflonTom Briskodiodion Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hayling Island, Hampshire Posts: 7,980 Thanks: 43 Thanked 209 Times in 181 Posts	Re: starting old engines iirc the rover v8 lump has a external oil pump which is belt driven. you could turn this by hand or make a spigot to fit into a battery drill to turn it quickly. in my experience the rover v8 suffers from oil starvation problems particualerly on the no 5 main bearing(because it's furthest away from the oil pump. __________________ vorsprung durch czechnik

12-08-2006, 21:37	#4
ric04vrs I parked up 1st Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: not near enough to the Ring Posts: 6,102 Thanks: 29 Thanked 177 Times in 172 Posts	Re: starting old engines i agree , take the plugs out and lube the bores a couple of days before and at the same time see if the engine will actually turn over by hand , if it doesn't don't even attempt to start it , if it does move though make sure it will do a complete revolution , not just back and forth , if all is ok , then remove rocker covers and lube valve gear generously refit covers , at first i wouldn't try to start the engine , just attach a battery to it and crank over with the plugs removed to get oil pressure up, a suitable gauge would be useful , then assuming you've got oil pressure , some fuel , sparks at the plugs you could attempt to start , good luck __________________ not so bored now

12-08-2006, 21:45	#5
VRSPhil Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cleveland Posts: 2,213 Thanks: 178 Thanked 190 Times in 134 Posts	Re: starting old engines Remove plugs and pour a little redex into the bores. Pour a little oil into the oil filler cap to lubricate the top end and then turn over by hand a few times to make sure its all moving freely. Turn engine over on the motor untill oil pressure light goes out (make sure plugs are not randomly sparking though - disconect lt lead)Refit plugs and fire up... Last edited by VRSPhil; 12-08-2006 at 21:47.

12-08-2006, 21:48	#6
TeflonTom Briskodiodion Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hayling Island, Hampshire Posts: 7,980 Thanks: 43 Thanked 209 Times in 181 Posts	Re: starting old engines i agree with with ric04vrs, you dont say wether it has points or the later electronic ignition. if it has the old contact breaker set-up make sure that the distributor hasn't siezed before you turn the engine over too. __________________ vorsprung durch czechnik Last edited by TeflonTom; 12-08-2006 at 21:49.

13-08-2006, 00:55	#7
Johnnyc Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 3,193 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: starting old engines I agree with all of the above but I would also remove the coil lead and turn the engine on the starter a few times before starting it. __________________ Johnny "Americans have different ways of saying things. They say "elevator", we say "lift" ... they say "President", we say "stupid psychopathic git."

13-08-2006, 16:43	#8
johnjohnhealy Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: UK south east Posts: 2,431 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Re: starting old engines Cheers guys, i'll let you know the result, hopefully next weekend. It's got a normal distibutor so i'll disconnect the coil lead, I wont have the plugs in untill i've got some oil pressure on the guage first anyway just to make sure its ok. I've been told I can prime the oil pump by putting some oil down the outside feed to the oil filter and turning the engine backwards by hand. I'm just waiting for the guy who sold me the car to e-mail back wether he started her or turned the engine or took any precautions while it was in storage, that might make life easier as it was truly his pride and joy and he cried when we drove off!! hopefully he'll have turned the engine. Anyone know any good websites/forums for old rover V8 stuff?

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