pre-oiler?

[thickfacek]

Picked up a 356b s90 engine. Been sitting for 20 years. Should I pump some oil through it before turning over? Fill the case up with oil? Im use to VW engines....just start it right up, parts are cheap if you break something. If so, what's the best way to get oil to the bearings....oil filter lines? thanks

[PD41]

Remove the spark plugs oil the chambers with ATF or Marvel, if you have a engine stand the rotate the motor (with the spark plugs in let it sit a day or 2). Then drain the cylinders with the plugs out. Pull the plate on the oil sump and clean the screen. Add motor oil and turn it over by hand. Check the valve adjustment. Crank the motor over to build oil pressure with no spark. Connect the power to the ignition and fire it up.

If the motor doesn't turn over smooth by hand I'd pull the heads and inspect the cylinders.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by thickfacek

Picked up a 356b s90 engine. Been sitting for 20 years. Should I pump some oil through it before turning over?

Congratulations!

Yes, change the oil and check the sump screen for bits of metal. Take the spark plugs out and shoot some cylinder fogger into the cylinders. Take the valve covers off and take the rocker arms off. I know this is a lot of work, but it could save you tons of money. After 20 years a valve can stick in the guide and if a piston hits it - $$$.
Tap each valve with a hammer to make sure it isn't stuck in a guide. Shoot some oil onto the valve where it enters the valve guide and make sure all the valves slide in and out smoothly.
Make sure the transmission is in neutral because the clutch can stick and not release. Take the ignition side coil wire off and crank the engine over with the spark plugs out. Pay attention to the carburetors. After 20 years the gaskets are dried out and you may get gas running everywhere. If so, you need to reseal the carbs before you proceed, you don't want to set it on fire.
Once you get gas in non-leaking carbs and oil pressure showing, put the plugs back in, reconnect the coil wire, and fire it up.

[porscheboy1]

If that beautiful engine were mine I would completely ds-assemble it. Clean everything. Measure everything. Replace any bad stuff. Re-assemble it with new bearings, seals and gaskets. Maybe do a valve job. Rebuild the carbs.