Running in an "old" engine?

[Error404]

I'm swapping another 7A into my coupe thats only covered 40k miles. Its not been run for 16 years as its been sitting in a warehouse. Seems perfect though, has had plenty of oil down the bores while its been standing. Is there any sort of "running in" proceedure I should go through with it?

Planned to turn it over for a bit on the starter to prime some oil through the galleries and onto the bearings etc - otherwise just take it easy for a few hundred miles?

Engine looks mint, still got most of the original paint on the block and has cleaned up to look almost new. Going to replace the front and rear crank oil seal while its easily accessible, new water pump, idler plulley and cam belt.Took the sump of which was still clean inside - not even any oil staining. I'm fitting a 20vt windage tray I've got lying around and replacing the sump gasket(s), and also fitting a 3B oil stat housing and oil cooler to keep temps under control on track.. ADI here we come

Any advice welcome

[mcandmar]

Need pics!

I would do the same in regard to priming the oil system, plugs out and crank away. Would be worth filling the filter/oil cooler before fitting to minimize the dry cranking time. Once it starts its just the usual checks for pressure, leaks and topping up the fluids. Sounds like this is going to be one very nice 20v when all said and done.

[AndyP]

If you've got the sump off I'd give everything a good coating of oil, would be worth taking the cam cover off and pre-oiling the cams too. Then take the ECU fuses out, remove plugs and spin it over until you see pressure.

Whats the story with it sitting in storage for 16yrs?

[Error404]

Cheers for the advice guys
Bought it off another forum member IIRC he had it from a car that was written off with no insurance or something in 1994 and kept it as a spare and never needed it I guess. Barely run in at 40k though, should be real tight
Its a later engine with the cast manifold but i'll fit my tubular to it when it goes in.

[GazzaG60]

shells may be knackered. id oil up the bores and then turn it over.

fill the pump with assembly luibe first. it creats great suction and pulls the oil up a lot faster.

the rod shells would be inspected too. after a few turns maybe.

[Error404]

why would the shells be knackered?

[GazzaG60]

its not been run for 16 years.

maybe no oil in there. you may spin one.

i err on the side of caution.

see how it turns and what comes out of the oil.