On a vehicle that has sat for a long period of time should I fog the cylinders with an oil before trying to spin the motor? What would be the best approach to keep from breaking rings or other internals?

 

It appears you are new, so welcome to our side.

I am assuming this is a 6cyl engine, and NOT the mighty V12????.

It matters not the badge on the car. Some lubrication of some sort down the plug holes will do a LOT of good for any stored engine.

I would then ONLY turn it over using the large nut on the front of the crankshaft.

DO NOT rotate the engine backwards (anti-clockwise), as timing chain tensioner issues "can" happen. Clockwise only as looking at the front of the engine.

Once you are satisfied it is rotating OK, then use the starter in SHORT bursts.

Take your time, take some more time, and all will be fine.

 

And what about the valve train, pull the valve covers, oil the cams and chains?

 

Can't hurt but may not help as most of the oil will have run off before you even get the covers back on and fire the engine. If you really wanted you could buy some "Assembly Lube" paste and smear it the cam lobes. Again, can't hurt...but probably not essential if you ensure oil pressure before actually firing the engine

I do what Grant has suggested but I usually skip the hand turning an go right into "bumping" the engine on the starter. Depends on how easily the crankshaft nut is. Lazy me, I reckon :-). But, hey, the starter exists for but one reason: to turn the engine!

Several good squirts of oil ito the cylinder, let sit for a day. Bump the engine to move the pistons just a bit, squirt in some more oil, let sit for a day, repeat, repeat.

After 3-4 days of this I spin the engine on the starter to eject excess oil and wait for pressure to show on the gauge....reinstall plugs...and then fire up!

If the oil on the stick looks especially thick and sludgy I'll change the oil and filter first, pre-filling the filter of course.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks guys, I plan on asking a lot of questions in the next few weeks.