Picking Up Built Engine with Problem???s

[ewoevo]

Well, I have the opportunity to pick up a fully built 7 bolt engine pretty cheap, but it does have a problem. There is a ticking sound coming form the engine when it warms up. It's not present when you start it though. The guy was told its probably a spun rod bearing. I don't have a lot of other details other than he was boosting close to 30 psi (I believe) when the problem started. Could this be crankwalk, or just a spun rod bearing, or something else?

 

[Splitpi]

either way it sounds like the engine would need to be torn down and inspected.

 

[kronikjg]

Find out as much as you can about it. It all depends on how much you have to spend on a chance that the motors junk. If the moneys right then it might be worth chance. Thats up to you bud.

 

[ewoevo]

Well, I can get the complete engine, including head, for $500. A local machine shop will cut the crank, assemble the bottom end and set the timing for $150. That's IF it's only a spun rod bearing. Obviously I'll need to get new bearings, and I have a set of rods in my garage if one of the rods is bad. The engine was built using Wiseco pistons and Eagle rods. The head has a 5-angle valve job. I know the shop that built the engine and they are reputable. He did tell me he had the engine built because it crankwalked. The engine has about 20K on it. It also includes a lightweight flywheel and clutch he's throwing in. He's building a 6-bolt to swap in his car.

 

[crimsondragon]

Pull the head, check what lifters are in there. See if any of them were installed wrong. If they're the old style lifters, get the 3g ones.

 

[ewoevo]

Also, the balance shaft in still in. Could this be a possible cause?

 

[jking29]

Have you heard it run yourself? Where does the tick come from? Is it towards the top of the motor, towards the bottom or on the side? If it's from the top it's most likely the lifters. From the bottom it could very well be a spun bearing. Noise from the side could be the automatic tensioner on the timing belt. Does the motor have aftermarket cams? If it does, the cams and head are worth the price of the motor. If not, I would try and look into it a little further before plopping the money down.

 

[ewoevo]

I have not heard the engine run. The head doesn't have aftermarket cams. I'll get in touch with the seller to see where the noise is coming from. He' had the car parked for several months, so It would probably need to be jumped to ge started.