no oil in stored engine

[topknot]

I have a 1970 challenger with a 318 that I purchased. The car was taken apart in the 90s and i purchased it in that condition recently. The engine and transmission had been removed at some point to put new aprons on the car, and the 318 has a new performer intake and 4-barrel holley. I dont think the engine has ran since the car was taken apart in the 90s. I think thats when the intake and carb was put on the engine. I have no idea if any other work was done to the motor, but I can tell you its not stuck but theres no oil on the dipstick. The motor turned free with a wrench when I purchased the car, and since I didnt see oil I sprayed lube down the sparkplug holes. I am wondering if I should do anything to the motor? Add oil, but the motor does not run so it wont oil the motor. Or since it turns free and the motor will be gone over before running do I just keep tunring it by hand and make sure its not stuck until I get closer to needing a running motor?

 

[Challenger RTA]

Treat it like a rebuild engine. Prime the engine.
I would check to see if the oil pump is working.
Pull the distributor and spin the pump to see if you have oil. It's a good tattle tell. The crank has to be turned for the cam to line up each side of the oil galleries.

es.

 

[pschlosser]

it is not uncommon for a seller of a car that doesn't run to bolt on performance parts they have lying around, to make the engine seem more performant with the hope they can sell the car more easily, or get more for it. Challenger RTA's advice is good. put oil in and see if it runs. It may not. Or, it may just be empty of oil, which is pretty strange for an engine someone want's to take care of.