Engine Storage - Indefinite Period of Time.

[Glow Worm]

Doing an engine swap.
Keeping the old engine on a stand. It is a 73 340.
What are the best steps to follow for storing it?
Might be 2 or 3 years before I re-build or use it.
The exhaust manifolds are on the engine, and are blocked off.  Distributor, water pump, and intake manifold are blocked as well.  As far as I know I have all orifices blocked on the engine.
It will be stored indoors in a garage with no heat.
Do I need to pull the plugs and spray lubricant in the spark plug holes?
Should I manually "turn the engine over" occasionally?
Should I wrap it in plastic?
Thank you.

[4 speed fish]

When I built my 440 is was on the engine stand for 5 years before I installed it. I sprayed Wd40 in the cylinders every 6 months.I turned it over when I did this.I covered the motor with a moving blanket.I did not use plastic because it would collect moisture.

[Topcat]

I learned this trick from before.

During winter and humid times, wrap electric blanket over engine with a timer.

Also leave the rocker shafts loose so the valve springs aren't compressed.

[Glow Worm]

Wouldn't turning the engine over regularly "eliminate" the valve spring concern?

[Topcat]

Yeah, but why bother?

Leave it loose until it's time to prime and fire.

You can set valve lash prior.
When you re tighten rocker shafts later on, it should stay the same clearances as before.

[Glow Worm]

Good point.  Thanks!

[69bcuda]

IMO, It sure wouldn't hurt to rotate and fog the cylinders every so often.
Condensation forms with cold / warm (especially humid) cycles. Cloth covers allow it to dry out quicker.   

[Grancoupe]

No heat? You might want to make sure you get all of the coolant out of the block to prevent freezing? Not sure where you're located.

[Topcat]

Doing an engine swap.
Keeping the old engine on a stand. It is a 73 340.
What are the best steps to follow for storing it?
Might be 2 or 3 years before I re-build or use it.
The exhaust manifolds are on the engine, and are blocked off.  Distributor, water pump, and intake manifold are blocked as well.  As far as I know I have all orifices blocked on the engine.
It will be stored indoors in a garage with no heat.
Do I need to pull the plugs and spray lubricant in the spark plug holes?
Should I manually "turn the engine over" occasionally?
Should I wrap it in plastic?
Thank you.

Spark plug holes you can use anti seize on the spark plug threads
Do not use plastic. It will hold condensation in.
marvel mystery oil from a pump spray if possible into combustion chambers.
Turn engine 90 degrees every 3-5 months.
Keep valve  lash rockers loose. (valves all closed)
Electric blanket on a timer during winter. 

[xtopfuel]

what topcat said