I've got a bit of an odd question I hope someone can help with. I am looking to rebuild my gearbox and its likely to sit a while before its added to the money and run. Say 12 to 18 mths. So long as it's covered in some ensembly oil how long can it sit before it corrodes?

_________________
67 Deluxe under going full resto

A very very long time. If it is coated in a good clean oil, and it is clean to start with, all you need to do is wrap it up tight. I use clingwrap in copious amounts.

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

Cheers Mick. That's great and makes life easy. What assembly lubricant do you use?

_________________
67 Deluxe under going full resto

Motor oil is enough for me. Once it is together it will only be bathed in a sump of motor oil.

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

Sweet

_________________
67 Deluxe under going full resto

This is Castrol R after 60 years sitting still

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

I had a rebuilt gearbox sitting on my shelf for about 9 months, everything clean and smothered in oil and wrapped up in cling film (like Mick said, lots of cling film). When i unwrapped it to send it off with a motor i am getting built it looked absolutely fine, just make sure it is stored off the ground.

you can pour STP on it and give it a spin and it'll stick itself to everything and stay there

that said, I oiled and wrapped a crank in a plastic bag and bubble wrap about 10 years ago, I unwrapped it last week to get it crack tested with some others and it was spotless

_________________
did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Great stuff thanks folks. Does that same rule apply for an engine or do you risk the rings corroding in the cylinder?

_________________
67 Deluxe under going full resto

As long as you oil the bores on assembly it should be fine.

_________________
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.

If you are sitting it for 12 or 18 month, no matter how good oil you are using, probably oil would be dropped to bottom.
But when you restart here is a tip
Firstly you disconnect fuel pump and ignition plug, and you crank the engine with starter motor for 5-10 seconds, so oil can go all the pipes in engine before it starts. Then you connect fuel pump and ignition plug, and start your engine.

This method is actually used in racing car for those of Super GT Japanese touring car series.