hi guys, im looking at a rebuild 2ltr pinto with mild cam, which is said it was rebuild in 2013 and been sitting in dry storage, has $3g in receipts
my concerns are it's been sitting for 5 years and never ran, what can go wrong with these sitting for so long? would the gaskets have dry rot?

I would say if its been sat for that long its going to need pulling apart to check anyway so you will need to replace all the gaskets. 
Until its apart no one knows the condition. and probably cant comment.
A couple of questions i would want to know are - was the oil drained when it was put into storage ? Will the engine have been in contact with any moisture ? 
Cheers
 
Bruce

Hi Griezy,
Ideally, so I have been told, engines which are in storage should be be filled to the brim with oil, the gaskets don't shrink or dry out, plenty of oil in the spark plug holes so the top of the pistons dont get rusty and provide some lube for the bore when the engine is turned over, the crank is bathed in oil to prevent rust. If the engine is properly lubed should be able to turn over by hand.  If dry and empty good chance of seizing, of scoring the bore when turned over, even by hand., should have topend and plugholes lubed before turning by hand , anyway. Cheers, Len

from what i been told it was built and put away in dry storage never started, dont even think it had oil put in, $3000 of work for $1500

May be worth a punt at $1500 but its still going to need pulling apart . 
From my experience the following may be rusty if stored for 6 years with no oil .
Cam - valves - bores - crank  
All of which are easily sorted but involves a cost. 
Glass half full it may be fine and you may be lucky 
Glass half empty its going to need a rebore and a **** load of machining and all the new parts fitted as per receipts are scrap. 
But i would have a go at it for that money and keep my fingers crossed

for $1500 I'd take the punt.
Good luck, and keep us up to date how it turns out

Hi Griezy,
My brother builds Pinto race engines ( including mine ), this is his advice: Firstly take off the tappet cover, if the springs, rocker gear etc are not rusty then it's likely the engine is not moisture affected, Hopefully all the port s in the head, holes for fuel pump and distributor etc have been properly sealed off to prevent moisture in the bottom. if the engine was properly assembled there should be  lube  on the camshaft, in particular, the spec sheet shows its a new/ recon cam.Engines should normally be assembled with lube - rings bearings etc. The oil film may have have dried but it will still lube.  Take out the spark plugs and put a squirt of WD or CRC into the bores and put the plugs back in.  Let it sit for a bit, put oil in with a pre primed oil filter and see if it turns by hand.  If it does it should start without problems.  I wonder how Gem Engines and other re-conditioners prep their engines for storage?

thanks for your input guys, i can not physically check as the engine is in tamworth and im near bathurst, was thinking of getting freighted but thanks to someone on here im going for another engine that was taken out not long ago with Stage 1 Cam and had the Spray Bar and main seals replaced less than 5,000k’s ago. included Alternator, Water Pump, electronic dizzy, starter, Bellhousing, clutch, 4sp and quick shift.

Glad you got sorted .
Also probably a safer option to buy one from a member

yeah and much closer to me and seen videos of it running plus with the other one the 5 year in storage was a big worry for me buying unseen and dont have the extra cash to get it pulled apart to check being on a disability pension

for those that may be interested in it, it's on a facebook page  
Rusty Wrecks- Old (Pre '84) Cars,Trucks and Motorbikes Buy Swap and Sell


 
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the person last message was ; Hey man It got oil in the bores once a week and wind over then I wrap it up tight in packing plastic then put in storage