New rebuilt engine - fill or not fill

[lyons]

Just completed rebuild of 3.8 engine and as the shell could be a long way off, I had a thought in the back of my mind that it is better to fill the engine with oil to prevent the seals from drying out.

Am I correct and what is the wisdom out there.

Thanks

[mgcjag]

The oil will sit in the sump below the level of any seals...or do you mean fill it to the top ...Steve

[phoenix]

Please make sure you put some oil down the plug hole and turn the engine over regularly.
I am building an S1 4.2 for someone. The engine was rebuilt some years ago by someone else and the piston rings on the cylinders rusted a groove in the wall and it had to have three new liners. We only found out with a compression test after we could not get it to run properly. It just would not idle below 1.200 revs and probably cost £1000 plus time taking out stripping etc. What a Bu..er.

[abowie]

Leave it empty. Turn it over regularly.

[lyons]

Thanks for your replies.

It seems that it is best to drop some oil down the plug hole a turn it over regularly just to keep the bores lubricated - but will having NO oil in the sump do any damage over time.

Regards