By Baconsdozen.
An engine that has stood for a long time especially if its plugs or air filter are removed can have the pistons and rings stuck to the bores by rust and corrosion.The first thing to do is look at the dip stick to see if it contains oil or if water has made its way into the sump which is bad news.
Usually there is a nut or bolt on the crank end that can be used to try and turn the engine but the danger of breaking it off means a safer alternative is to use a lever on the ring gear through the starter motor aperture.Try and resist the temptation to use a socket and a long breaker bar,if the bolt breaks off it will be an added complication to extract the remains.If the engine is solid,remove the spark plug holes and squirt a spoon full of releasing fluid like Plus gas or diesel in the plug holes trying to get as much as possible on the cylinder walls.WD40 might work but is really designed to chase off water,redex and other thin penetrating oils can be used.This will take some hours to have any real effect.If possible fill the radiator with some reallt hot water,this will expand the block slightly.Whilst waiting it might be an idea to remove the rocker covers and air filters etc to see if corrosion is present deep inside the engine.It's possible the engine might now have movement on the crank,if so try and turn it back and forth gradually building up to a full revolution,if not.its worth trying again with the release fluid and hot water but if it resists any attempts to turn after a few more goes more serious action will be needed.
The oil should be drained and the sunp removed, it may be possible to start the pistons moving by removing the big end caps and tapping them upwards from below.It will prove difficult to pull them down again to refit to the crank and there is no way of knowing how bad the bores are corroded and for these reasons its better to remove the head.
It might be difficult to remove rusty head nuts and studs,and the cylinder head might be stuck to the block but removal will show the state of the pistons and bores and allow easy access to the piston tops.Gently tapping the pistons it might be possible to hear or see if they are free,pistons that aren't flat topped can be tapped sideways to break the seal.Sometimes a feeler gauge or similar will clear loosen corrosion between piston and bore and give releasing fluid a chance of getting down the sides of the piston and around the rings.By removing the big end caps it should be possible to work out which pistons are stuck.The crank should be turned so that the seized pistons con rods are clear of the crank and tapped down the bore.The best tool to use is a solid piece of wood slightly smaller than the piston.Hitting too hard will damage the piston,lots of release oil,heat and gentle tapping should free the piston but if it will only move with very heavy blows it or the bore are probably too damaged to be usable anyway.
When finally the pistones are free the big ends should be reassembled (with new shells if available) and the bores lightly rubbed with fine wet and dry paper to remove the rust marks.The bores should be left well oiled and the engine reassembled and filled with oil.Some engines will need their oil pumps primed after standing for a long time,sometimes this can be done by removing a plug and filling the oil ways with oil or the pump is removed and packed with petroleum jelly.The oil filter should be replaced and a new one fitted after (if possible) filling with oil.If possible the engine should be spun with its plugs out untill the oil light or gauge shows oil pressure and to clear excess fluid from the bores.Then after normal checks and cleaning out carbs and fuel lines,adding fresh fuel etc the engine can be started.Let it warm up slowly,the exhaust will smoke because of the excess oil but hopefully the engine will run.
Obviously if the cylinder bores are pitted or the pistons and rings worn or damaged more extensive work will be required to get the engine running well.If water has got in the sump it is possible the main or big end bearings will have started corroding and these should be checked if this is the case.Engines with the air cleaner,manifolds,oil fillers etc removed are more susceptible to water ingress than one that is complete.
You might find the clutch has stuck to the flywheel holding or wedging the pedal down and rocking the car backwards and forwards in gear or jacking it up and rocking one of the wheels might free it off.Towing the vehicle slowly with it in gear and with the clutch pedal down might free it but the sometimes recommended method of running the car in gear on jacks that are suddenly lowered is dangerous and can cause real damage.It might be possible to tap the clutch or carefully use a lver through a hole in the bell housing or leave the vehicle overnight with the pedal held down.If all else fails the engine or gearbox will have to be removed and the clutch dismantled.
Stuck brakes have to be gently freed off,if the vehicle has been left for some years with the handbrake on removing the rear drums can be a hassle,remember most brake drums are cast iron and should not be hit hard with a hammer .Going round the outside of the drum (wheel nuts removed) with a copper faced mallet or using a hammer with a hard wood block between it and the drum will sometimes free things off enough to remove a brake drum..Corroded and stuck calipers and cylinders will possibly need replacing or repair.Patience and care will avoid breaking something that might be impossible to replace,if its gettin g a bit 'hectic' stop for a cuppa and then have another go.
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