Topic: Engine reassembly questions

[The Gurg]

On an engine reassemble that I’m doing in my spare time, do I need to worry about O-rings drying out. I’m in Tennessee, putting the bike back together in the basement. Humidity is currently about ~20-30%. I thought about throwing some plastic sheeting over the engine when I’m not working on it. Wondering if o-rings should be coated in grease.

Also, is very light rust an issue with fasteners going in the engine? Everything has been thoroughly cleaned and has been oiled and stored in ziplocks bags, but there is some very slight surface rust on a few things.

[flybox1]

If your o-rings are of good quality, they wont be drying out any time soon.
You should cover the engine anyway so air born debris doesn't collect on it.
See if the light rust will clean up.  I wouldnt put rusty fasteners in a rebuild.

[pjlogue]

In 20-30% humidity your parts should not be rusting unless you are talking over a long period of many months/years.  Clean up the rust and coat the parts with grease.  Don't use WD40.  It will evaporate over time.  The big killer of O rings is Ozone,  UV light and heat.  For storing, put them in a plastic bag and keep them out of heat/sunlight. 

I would not cover the engine with plastic.  Use a clean shop rag (s) or a clean sheet.  The idea is to prevent trapping of moisture in and around the engine.  You might get a small 15 watt incandescent light bulb to put under the engine to drive off any moisture.  When temperatures fluctuate moisture will condense on cooler items.  Engine has a lot of mass and changes temperature more slowly if the room begins to warm and moisture will tend to condense on it.  Even temperature changes of a few degrees can cause condensation on a cold engine/metal.  Keeping the engine a few degrees above room temp will prevent this.  Hence the small light bulb under the engine.

-P.

[ekpent]

  I have a 'soft' steel wire wheel mounted on a stand and all my bolts,frame,engine etc. get the threads and heads cleaned  then a little 3 and 1 oil on the threads. Like my heat gun I use that tool all the time.