Turn the crank...or not?

["Owen & Jo Grigg" <ram300@xxxx>]

Hi all

The 392 for my 300C has been assembled for a number of months now and realistically the rest of the car will not be ready for sometime yet. I had the help of a very experienced engine machinist/builder specializing in early hemis to supervise the final assembly. I asked him about turning the motor over by hand at regular intervals since it would be sitting for sometime. I had always been under the impression that this was the thing to do, to avoid weakening valve springs etc etc. He said, NO, not necessary, all you will end up doing is wiping all the lubrication paste off the camshaft. He is very particular on his initial start up lubrication inparticular the camshaft. All load is off the valvetrain ie the pushrods/tappets are not tightened down, the motor is in dry storage and covered, with about 2-3 litres of running in oil in the sump. 

Didn't really think much about it, until recently, when a number of visitors to the garage asked if I was turning it over on a regular basis. Should I or shouldn't I? What's the theory behind turning it over, take pressure off the valve springs? shift the pistons/rings in the bore to prevent broken rings on start up? 

Thanks for any help on this, 
Owen 


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