I have a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am that was totaled a couple of years ago after it just got a brand new block in it. After all this time sitting with the oil still in it of course is it still useable? I ask because I may be buying a 1990 Z24 Cavalier and I heard its not that hard at all to do an engine swap and since that Grand Am is just sitting there I thought that would be a fun job for sometime in the future.

Anyone? Can an engine sit for two years with oil and coolant still in it and not destroy itself? Would all that be required is a minor rebuild?

it might dry out the upper cylinder walls so pull each spark plug and shoot a few drops of oil down it the fire it up and the rockers might be a little dry but i wouldnt worry about it

Thats good to know.

If you unplug the injectors you could crank it over *AFTER you change that oil!!!* for ~10 seconds and get some oil in on the parts that need it before you actually fire it up.

Cranking it that way will run the oil pump and get some oil circulating, and it will be spinning the motor at slow speeds and won't cause much friction. Then plug your injectors back in and let it rip. The coolant is fine, you will need to flush it once it'* in the car and refil the system but thats not a big deal.

If your interesed in beefing up that motor before you put it in that car, let me know, I know a guy that could get you another ~60 Crank HP out of it with a new cam grind and heads.

Would it be wise to take off the valve covers and pour some oil over the rockers and such just to lube them up after being dry so long? This car is in a very deserted location at a house where my brother is living so its been dry there quite often and it doesnt rain that much either so there shouldnt be any water in the internals. I and my father are very happy to here this and if I get that Z24 then I will strongly consider doing a swap.

i would say that will work

I wouldn't waste my time pulling the valve covers off or anything like that. Drain the oil out, fill it up with new oil, and maybe squirt a little into the cylinders, but I don't think I would even do that. Just do what was already suggested above and unplug the injectors and crank it over for about 15-30 seconds or so, just watch the oil pressure gauge if it has one, and when it gets full oil pressure, keep cranking for about 10 seconds after that and it should be nice and lubed up on the inside. Plug the injectors back in and if its like any other 3400 I've seen, it will start right up and purr like a kitten.

Shawn