Buying motor..what do i look for?

[bigbro6785]

My motor is shot so I need a new one. I found a motor for sale in the clasifieds here for a 7bolt with 28k miles and he says the head just had a valve job, and new seals added, and he says there were no signs of crankwalk and the motor ran strong before the pull. For 600 bucks you cant beat the price. But my question is what should I look for when I go to look at the motor? I would know what to look for if I were looking at a running car, but what do I look for on a pulled motor? Thanks for the info.

 

[TurboTJ]

It will be kinda hard since you cant see it run. Check to see if he has receipts for the valve job. You might be able to run a leak down test on the motor.

IMO, pulling the engine sucks and you really want to do it as minimal as possible. I would look into getting a built short block if you have the money. You also might want to consider a 6 bolt swap

Here is one, it as 1k more but at least it will be better than before and will run great.
http://www.slowboyracing.com/estore/product.php?productid=1040&cat=50&page=1

 

[bigbro6785]

Im just gonna stick with a 7bolt because im planning on selling the car right after I put the new motor in it.

I went and looked at the motor today and im not sure i trust it. When I talked to the kid through emails he said that the motor ran strong before he started the pull. When I got there he told me that he got the motor from houston with a blown head and he had it fixed. He said they started the motor when it was put in the car but "never really ran it." That seems kinda fishy to me and I dont wanna spent the money on something that is gonna break right away. Think I should just cough up the extra cash and get a new one?

 

[Cobrasatellite]

I think you have your answer there. But 28k miles is really low even for a 99 (newest it could be right?) but hey. Check the oil if its still in it, but if the head was swapped probally no oil. Check the bottom of the oil pan (not really a good way but) look for big dents and alot of scrapes, it shouldent be as bad as your old 1 with 28k on it. And pull the cover off the cam gears all should be spotless and pretty if the head was just done. And a new belt.

 

[TurboTJ]

I say that if it sounds fishy; walk away or offer a much lower amount that you are willing to loose should it be a POS. Check for metal shavings in the oil and up against the oil pickup line. Look into doing a boost leak test.