so I'm getting close to starting the 13B thats in my 1989 Subaru RX, but it has sat for about, oh 6 years or so. any tips that you guys have? I really just want atleast one good run out of it, just to see if its worth a new engine. (the swap has some issues that concern me)

 

be careful. you may want to put in some atf and turn it by hand and let it sit for a while before cranking it. sitting that long it may be carbon locked or have a stuck seal. just try to get it lubed before cranking.





has anyone ever put wd40 in the housings?

 

besides what shane posted, I would start with fresh oil too.

 

well I plan on changing the oil, coolant, fresh gas, new NGK spak plugs, new thermostat, plug wires, rotor button, and cap as well (it has the GSL-SE dist and coils on it)

also planing on lubing the **** out of it and making sure it spins ok before I go cranking on it.

 

sounds like a good plan. atf in the holes will prob be the best way to get the inside lubed/free

 

is there anything I could/should put in the coolant to help the seals and stuff?

 

You've probably started it by now (hopefully everything is okay!).



WD-40 seems to be okay in the engine (at least for short durations). Last winter my engine had a really bad case of carbon lock. ATF and lots of patience didn't work. Eventually someone told me a farmer's trick for starting rusted out tractor engines... I poured a 50/50 mix of diesel and WD-40 straight down the carb. Within about 2 hours I was able to turn the engine by hand a few degrees backwards! Slowly coaxing it back-and-forth more and more each time (adding more of the 50/50 mix throughout), I made steady progress. After seeing the sludge being pumped out of the sparkplug holes I was glad about my decision to premix the gasoline from now on.



Anyway, the engine was completely unlocked and de-grunged in less than 12 hours, and I don't believe I damaged the seals (not too much of a concern for me as I plan to rebuild shortly).



As for coolant.. perhaps a good flush is in order? There is probably some nasty sediment from being undisturbed for so long. Maybe drain what you can, refill with water, run the engine for a bit, then flush properly and add new coolant. Then you are at least taking care of a few important maintenance checks all at once. Same goes for oil!



Best of luck!