Storing an alloy cylinder head?

[Ubique]

Well, the way they're supplied to dealers is dry, wrapped in 'rustproof paper' in a cardboard box. Some have been packed for >5 years and stored in an unheated warehouse. Not one has ever been packed, stored or delivered in a sealed plastic container and i'd caution against it.

 

[bricol]

I would not leave it wrapped in plastic film, in a plastic box in a garage if its not heated and ventilated - more perfect conditions for condensation from temperature change and winter damp I can't currently think of.

I have two Lancia and Rover K-series aluminium heads stored under the house - nice and airy. And a brand new one in the front bedroom

 

[Smallfry]

yep built my 2.1 ltr pinto ford engine in dining room as well before it got furnished as well. white sheets on the floor no dust while it was rebuilt

Quite right. You can't be expected to do this sort of work in a grubby and dusty garage or workshop !

 

[8ob]

If I have gone to the trouble of cleaning and overhauling sub assemblies like heads/blocks that aren’t getting built up straight away I always cover them, cling film or wrap in a bin bag. More to keep out dust/grit, saves cleaning everything twice. Ground,cleaned and oiled cranks go in a bag and are stored in 6” plastic tubes under the bench, stops them getting dinked.

Bob

 

[Pete.]

For condensation you need air movement, or at least the presence of moisture-laden air. If an object is wrapped in plastic film where is the condensation coming from?

 

[cheb]

Can you get access to a vacuum packing machine?

 

[ms08]

Re-built my A series 1275GT engine in my bedroom when i was about 20 something (Avonbar 1400cc when i finished) - didn't want any dirt in it - complete with the g/box. It took two of us to carry it down the stairs!

 

[Cobbler]

I rebuilt a diff on the coffee table, it was freezing in the shed & Mrs C said “bring it in & do it in front of the fire”

 

[julianf]

For condensation you need air movement, or at least the presence of moisture-laden air. If an object is wrapped in plastic film where is the condensation coming from?

These are my thoughts.

If you wrap an object in some layers of cling and then give it a squeeze, the cling bulges where the air tries (and fails) to escape. It makes it air tight. Which, I assume, is the design spec of cling film?

Sure, one layer may get compromised, but a fair few layers and careful handling, and it's airtight.


I've actually just remembered -

Years ago I used to cycle to work. I didn't have a fancy flask, so I used to make tea in a pint glass, wrap it in cling, and then sling it in my back pack. Never had any leakage.

 

[Onoff]

Would a spray of ACF-50 be good?

 

[Pete.]

Would a spray of ACF-50 be good?

A good spray with that and you wouldn't need to do anything else at all IMO.

 

[JOEPRO]

I would fill the bath 1 foot up with oil. It should ideally be full synthetic oil.

Then fully immerse the cyl head in that. I'm sure the misses will be fully understanding on the matter.

 

[OJCar]

I would fill the bath 1 foot up with oil. It should ideally be full synthetic oil.

Then fully immerse the cyl head in that. I'm sure the misses will be fully understanding on the matter.

Would you advise removing the coal from the bath first?

(Asking for a friend)

 

[julianf]

Would you advise removing the coal from the bath first?

(Asking for a friend)

Where are you going to wash the coal, once the bath is full of oil?

 

[Moose McAlpine]

Lol, how many ways to store a cylinder head?

Here's how one of mine is stored..

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Spray with a diluted solution of Waxoil and then wrap in whatever you want. Can be a PIA to remove though !

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I used to rebuild Ford (mostly) car engines and Honda motorcycle engines, on the kitchen table, at night. Generally cleared away (and often already fitted in car/machine) by the time Mum came down in the morning.

I bought a brand new semi bungalow when I was 18 but didn't live in it until I got married at 23. All rooms got used as workshop - nice and cosy infront of the fire in winter

 

[reb78]

Where are you going to wash the coal, once the bath is full of oil?

You need the coal to light a fire under the bath. Bath oil used for cylinder head storage needs to be maintained at 40C constantly otherwise the head may dissolve.

 

[tom2207]

ACF 50 ,,,,

 

[pedrobedro]

Would you advise removing the coal from the bath first?

(Asking for a friend)

Reminded me of a conversation in the working men's club years ago. Old bloke Joe, none too hygienic, was telling Albert he's had a coal delivery in the days of concessionary coal and I said did you have it chucked straight in the bath Joe ? Albert was straight in with his reply, if they chucked it in the bath he'd never find it.