Not getting any help in the FI section so thought I'd post here as well to see if I get more info.
I apologize if this is not allowed. Anyways..

This past week I purchased an assembled Benson sleeved shortblock that has been sitting in a garage for several years. The owner seemed very knowledgable and was a straight up guy. He gave up on his buld so I purchased the block and head together for what I think is an amazing price. Here is a rundown and pictures of the block.

B18c1 GSR block, girdle
83mm Benson sleeves
LS crank
83mm 9:1 CP's
LS Pauter rods
new bearings, water pump and oil pump
0 MIles

Cylinders look like they have been kept lubed and are very fresh with the exception of a very small area at the top if 1 of the cylinders which I dont think will be an issue. All others look great.

Here are my questions. Before running this bad boy, because it has been sitting for quite some time, is there anything I should do before putting it to use? Anything I should check?

 

Take a light scotch brite pad and buff that rust off the cylinder walls and the top of the sleeves. Maybe a little CLR if its tough.

I'd confirm Benson did all the work and assembly if they did then its good to go as is. Nice find.

 

Thanks for the reply. Benson did the sleeving but it was assembled at a machine shop that is local to the seller. As far as the rust in the sleeves , none of it except for the small areas at the top of that 1 sleeve can be felt with the fingernail. The other discoloring inside the cylinders can not be felt at all and is very very smooth. It just looks discolored for some reason. I took a scotch bright to the top of that one cylinder and it is now smoother and can hardly be felt with my finger nail.

I was thinking this area was not a big deal because the rings dont go up this high in the cylinder. What do you think? Would it be a good idea for me to pull the pan and spray the crank, rods and bearing areas with some lithium grease spray in case it's a little dry from sitting? I dont want it to be dry when I start it up for the first time. I would also make sure that I pull the dizzy plug and crank a few times so there is oil pressure before I fire it up.

Let me know your thoughts. Anyone else?

 

It would be wise to at least do a leakdown test.

 

I would pull the pan and just check to see if there's any rust on any surfaces from it sitting. pan may have collected moisture over time just from natural temperature changes.

I wouldnt spray lithium grease on anything though...

yeah, just crank it over a couple times to get some oil flowing.

 

Pull the spark plugs and fuel pump fuse before you crank it over. Spin it until you get oil pressure, may take a minute.

Then put the plugs in, fuse in, prime the fuel pump, start it up.

You pull the plugs so you don't build compression while trying to get oil pressure to the bearings.