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Used shortblock condition

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bcjjones

10+ Year Contributor
509
4
Nov 3, 2011
Austin, Texas
I am going to look at a used shortblock, ill post some pictures of it. Just nervous because the guy said it was re built/re ringed. Im buying it because my current motor has fried rings and low compression. I just dont want to waste money on a junk shortblock when I already have one. I know i need to look at the cylinder walls, make sure theres no discoloration, scoring or anything...he said they were honed when it was re-ringed. He also said it was never ran since then either, but the pistons due have usage from what the pictures look like. I've never heard of someone rebuild a motor and re using the old pistons? Correct me if im wrong on that though, would make me feel better if so. Going to rebuild my current motor slowly. I just need a motor to get me through until then.

Can yall tell anything good/bad about these pictures?
 

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I've done many Chevy, Ford and Honda engines reusing the old pistons. I have also done lawnmower engine rebuilds using the old pistons. I don't see why it would be a bad thing to do, but then again I haven't done a DSM engine build yet.
 
One thing I did notice, is the marks on the piston head for the valve clearance all look pretty deep still. As in there not real worn down like the ones on a 100k plus motor. The ones on my piston heads are worn down and not as deep of a groove anymore.

Is that something to look at to consider its age? A good sign hopefully?

Why not just have your block honed, and install new rings and bearings? Fresh short block for $200.

This was the other option, but part of one of my ring lands broke. A very small piece, the size of a pen mark, and scratched one of the cylinder walls. It would have to be machined over for sure.

I have to stay around 800 dollars or so for a rebuild. Would that be possible if I did it myself? Including machine work, considering it needs to be bored over.
 
I could be wrong here, but I didn't know the valve clearance on the pistons get less deep over time. Are you sure it's not carbon build up on the other motor? Or like I said, I may be wrong.
 
Yea I guess I could be wrong about the valve marks on the top of the cylinders. Maybe it is just carbon build up that makes them less noticeable.
 
Someone took some black spray paint and painted the entire block minus the deck. The water pump, front case, pulley's, rear main seal and everything in between. Makes me wonder what they were trying to cover up.
 
Well the guy said he spray painted it just because it was out, he wanted to make it look nicer?

My question now is, could I do a very basic rebuild of my current block for around 800-1000? It probably does need to be bored over, there is a scratch in one of the cylinders. Might hone out but I doubt it. So considering that into the cost, 800-1000 do able? If I do the tear down and re assembly myslef?
 
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