jwx

so I'm getting close to starting the 13B thats in my 1989 Subaru RX, but it has sat for about, oh 6 years or so. any tips that you guys have? I really just want atleast one good run out of it, just to see if its worth a new engine. (the swap has some issues that concern me)

Shane.Trammell

be careful. you may want to put in some atf and turn it by hand and let it sit for a while before cranking it. sitting that long it may be carbon locked or have a stuck seal. just try to get it lubed before cranking.





has anyone ever put wd40 in the housings?

turbovr6

besides what shane posted, I would start with fresh oil too.

jwx

well I plan on changing the oil, coolant, fresh gas, new NGK spak plugs, new thermostat, plug wires, rotor button, and cap as well (it has the GSL-SE dist and coils on it)

also planing on lubing the **** out of it and making sure it spins ok before I go cranking on it.

Shane.Trammell

sounds like a good plan. atf in the holes will prob be the best way to get the inside lubed/free

jwx

is there anything I could/should put in the coolant to help the seals and stuff?

Option6

You've probably started it by now (hopefully everything is okay!).



WD-40 seems to be okay in the engine (at least for short durations). Last winter my engine had a really bad case of carbon lock. ATF and lots of patience didn't work. Eventually someone told me a farmer's trick for starting rusted out tractor engines... I poured a 50/50 mix of diesel and WD-40 straight down the carb. Within about 2 hours I was able to turn the engine by hand a few degrees backwards! Slowly coaxing it back-and-forth more and more each time (adding more of the 50/50 mix throughout), I made steady progress. After seeing the sludge being pumped out of the sparkplug holes I was glad about my decision to premix the gasoline from now on.



Anyway, the engine was completely unlocked and de-grunged in less than 12 hours, and I don't believe I damaged the seals (not too much of a concern for me as I plan to rebuild shortly).



As for coolant.. perhaps a good flush is in order? There is probably some nasty sediment from being undisturbed for so long. Maybe drain what you can, refill with water, run the engine for a bit, then flush properly and add new coolant. Then you are at least taking care of a few important maintenance checks all at once. Same goes for oil!



Best of luck!