New motors sitting and fogging oil? Expert opinions needed

[lewis15498]

OK so I'm planning on buying a 0mi rebuilt 7m with JE pistons and Ferrea valvetrain. Motor was built ~3 years ago. I contacted the builder and he said to ask the seller if the motor had been fogged. The seller says he doesnt know.
I really want this motor, but I also dont want to invest in a trainwreck. Did alot of seaching here as well is on the internet and abroad. Heard of some terrible things happening, but no real answers. So going into this unknown of if its been fogged. My questions are:

-What do I need to look out for?
-What could go wrong?
-What can I do to ensure none of these bad things happen to me? I'd be willing to take the motor apart to a certain extent if it will make everything go smoothly.
-Anything else I need to know?

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input.

 

[IJ.]

Sacked out rings and valve springs.

 

[lewis15498]

Sacked out rings and valve springs.

Does that mean they lost their tension? Whats the best way to check for this, remove and measure the valve spring height?

 

[IJ.]

Need to go in a spring checker, JE's use thin low tension rings so there's a good chance they now have none.

 

[suprarich]

Also, what kind of climate did the motor sit in? Climate control? Or did it sit in a garage that had seasonal weather and temp. swings. The rods or clylinder walls could have a orange powder look to them from air born moisture.

 

[fixitman04]

i have revived many an engine that hasnt been fogged, and a few that have, neither issue that ij stated would be affected by fogging it with oil. those are both storage problems that would occure either way, the surface rust that builds up on the cyl walls is affected by fogging it.

id still buy it, but id be prepared to buy new springs and rings. and rehone it lightly.

 

[lewis15498]

i have revived many an engine that hasnt been fogged, and a few that have, neither issue that ij stated would be affected by fogging it with oil. those are both storage problems that would occure either way, the surface rust that builds up on the cyl walls is affected by fogging it.

id still buy it, but id be prepared to buy new springs and rings. and rehone it lightly.

Considering its non interference, is there any risk to running it with the current springs/rings and hoping for the best, then replacing if neccesary?

 

[fixitman04]

depends on how much tension either has lost.
the risk with the valve springs is more as it could drop a valve.
the rings wont hurt anything , but it could have an oil consumption problem as they most likely wont seat.

 

[Suprapowaz!(2)]

Ok ok, how do you fog an engine? What kind of process is that.

 

[Zumtizzle]

http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/fog.aspx


spray that or equal in the combustion chamber

 

[fixitman04]

part of the assembly process when the engine is gonna sit a while before being started.
generally it is misted with a heavy weight oil on all the internal surfaces.

on assembled motors it is generally not needed as the block is already saturated with oil from use. but it is advised to fill and drain the cylinders with heavy oil if it is gonna sit for a long time(over a year). and on a overhead cam engine i usually release the tension on the valves(with adj rockers... not the case on the toyota engines) and brush grease on the cam lobes

 

[Suprapowaz!(2)]

http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/fog.aspx


spray that or equal in the combustion chamber

Thanks. The reason I ask is because I have my shortblock sitting on an engine stand that's been there for a while. Head nor the pan in on it. Cams are not installed on the head either.