[A26B]

Many years ago, I acquired a lot of about 30 LT5 engines that came out of GM storage left over from all sorts of projects, Active Suspension, Phase 2, 89 models, warranty replacements, engineering testing, "window" for cam chain testing, etc.

The engines were placed in open crates, some assembled, some partially disassembled, no protection or preservation was ever intended. These engines had bee sitting for 10+ years. I disassembled a few and without exception, there was oil still present on all the rod bearings as if the engine was recently run.

One of the complete engines was installed, started & used for several months without issue, except for a leak in the front cover or seal area.

I have handled 7 crate engines & sold all to customers who followed my recommended protocol to bring them to life. Without exception, all of them started & ran just fine. Engine oil had to be drained before shipping, but to my knowledge, none of them were pre-oiled before starting. These are engines last run on a dyno in 1993, so at least 15 years.

Part of my protocol was to remove the plugs, squirt a small amount of light motor oil in each cylinder, crank it over a few revolutions to lube the cylinders & pump oil to pressurize the oil galleys before re-installing the plugs & running.

Nothing wrong with pre-oiling a newly built engine especially, but I don't really think it is at all necessary on an engine last run a few months or even years ago. You could always just pull the plugs, & crank the engine over until you begin to see pressure.

Just my 2 cents worth......