I recently had some machining work done, bore, hone, deck, reground crank etc. I don't know when I'll get time to build the engine. Am I better off to assemble the short block and then wrap in in glad wrap or something? Or should the part be stored separately un-assembled
What should I coat the parts with if storing them by themselves

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

I would say avoid glad wrap as you don't want to trap moisture in.
I recall a local Dr in the hills oiling things up and storing them in the legs of old pairs of jeans cut up.
He's a wily old bugger who I suspect knows a thing or two, but see what others have to say.

KB

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Thanks for the testimonial KB.
I'd oil the bores and then put rags over it. Leave the pistons in the box.
Conrods I oil then store in an old biscuit tin with lid.
The crank I would oil up then store in an old denim jeans leg. This keeps condensation from settling on the crank and rusting it.
I've had cranks stay good stored 20 years like this.
Gear oil is good, it's a bit thicker than motor oil. You could use grease instead, but it's easy to miss bits wiping it on.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Pistons are already attached to the rods, just oil the whole lot?

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

Sure. Oil em up and wrap in rags.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Those plastic tubs from Supercheap, Bunnings etc are excellent for keeping blocks and parts neat and clean once they're wrapped up. Just remove all the studs and pointy bits off the block first, the plastic can be a little brittle.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

And keep it out of sunlight as best as possible or those crates dissolve in your hands when you go to move them.

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Yeah, I buy them with the knowledge I won't keep them beyond a few years. There's no reason for them to go bad if the shed is shady. A number I have had for many years, I usually break them from putting pointy edged heavy things in them poorly. Not bad for 14 dollars though.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I spray stuff like that with valvoline tectyl. Sets like wax and washes of in petrol/kero when ready to assemble.