I am looking at a junkyard engine that I am told the compression is good on(numbers are close and match what the manual say they should be).

Should I just break down and do a full blown rebuild?

Or should I just refresh it? You know, pull it apart, replace all the gaskets for sure, and check the bearings/etc.

Or should I just run it till it blows? :p

The engine has unknown miles on it. I'm currently inclined to just refresh it and replace any "bad" parts. But at the same time, I've got it out of the vehicle and it would be prime time to just strip it down and have it machined for a brand new engine. On the flip side, I want to get the "beater" out on the trails :p

I'm kind of from the "all or nothing" school of thought. Don't mess with a refresh. I say run it 'til it blows & then rebuild it correctly.


TEX

Run it.

CJ

If I was so inclined I would probably make sure oil pressure was where it should be.... tear it apart enough to put all new gaskets in it ( I hate oil leaks) and run it..... what ever ya do NEVER look at the bearings:)

NoRM

I've been running a $100 350 now for 5 years I replaced all of the external gaskets before I put it in, it leaked really, really bad. and put a high volume oil pump in it so that it had some oil pressure, it only had 10psi cold. Its been run hard and seems to be surviving just fine although oil pressure is now measured by "is it not sitting on the peg? Then we're good to go!" I know one of these days it will die but at the time I didn't have the money to build a motor, I figured it woudl last a little while I never dreamed it would last for 5 years being run like it has. I have a whopping $184.00 in this motor.

I WOULD RUN IT!! WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOOSE

Drop it in, hammer down...

While you're playing, build up your other motor correctly.

Originally posted by Snake47720
Drop it in, hammer down...

While you're playing, build up your other motor correctly.

The motor it is replacing is not even close to the same :p In fact, it is going by the way side:D

throw $60 worth of gaskets in her and go!
buy anothe $100 eng and do it right..

Play it safe, Pull the pan and look for sluge and toss in a oil pump and go.

I always checked for sludge or particals in the oil pan. If everything looked clean or OK, I'd just replace a few gaskets and a hi-vol oil pump and go with it.
Now if it was dirty on the other hand, I'd pop a few caps and check the bearings.
If they where standing behind it, I'd drop it in and run the piss out of it. :D

if your thinking of rebuilding a junk yard motor, you might want to look into rebuilt long blocks from some of the auto houses, its getting to the point now where a rebuilt long block with warranty is as cheep if not cheeper than doing it yourself. if your not planning on a total rebuild, just run it and cross your fingers, you can replace a head gasket or oil pump, but then the bearing might go out. i think if your gonna crack it open might as well go all the way.

run it

Just run it.

Originally posted by YELLER BLAZER
I've been running a $100 350 now for 5 years I replaced all of the external gaskets before I put it in, it leaked really, really bad. and put a high volume oil pump in it so that it had some oil pressure, it only had 10psi cold. Its been run hard and seems to be surviving just fine although oil pressure is now measured by "is it not sitting on the peg? Then we're good to go!" I know one of these days it will die but at the time I didn't have the money to build a motor, I figured it woudl last a little while I never dreamed it would last for 5 years being run like it has. I have a whopping $184.00 in this motor.

I WOULD RUN IT!! WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOOSE

I LOVE THIS!! :D

fix the oil leaks, check for pressure and roll with it!!
buy another $100 motor down the track, and build it up....imagine if it lasts you 5 years...what a FREAK motor!! how cool is that!!

Looks like I'll just pull the pan and check the oil then replace the "leaky" gaskets. If I get oil pressure, its a keeper :p

To the recommendation of "buy a second builder motor", I can't do that... I've got no room for a spare motor around the garage: its a big motor:D and the garage has too many tools I need:p

Also, are any of the engine degreasers(or oven cleaners) "destructive" to anything on the engine? Before I shoehorn it into the rig, I'd like to clean the engine up and make it look purdy :p

at least change the timing chain

I didnt on my junkyard motor and had to within a month

while it's out, spray it with engine degreeser, pressure wash it, then giver the old "Rattle can rebuild". This is what I done ......... 3 years ago.:D

What's the condition of your current engine? Runable?

If so, I'll be the devils advocate here. Rebuild it right the 1st time. There's no sense in doing things twice. And no sense dropping the thing in only to find that after a week the ???? blows or the ??? cracked or etc.

Tear it down, if it looks ok then put it back together or get the parts you need to fix it.

What kind of engine is this? If it's a chevy, it's a definate rebuild!!! A ford engine would stand a better chance.

Bob

i personally would run it, it only takes afew hours to fit an engine and if it runs sweet then i would leave it, if not run it till it blows and then look at rebuilding it,


NICK

Originally posted by Lil'John
I am looking at a junkyard engine that I am told the compression is good on(numbers are close and match what the manual say they should be).



to me that is a key indicator, that shows that the motor will have little miles on it, if it does have alot then it would have been well cared for, but it wouldnt hurt and it is easy to check the air filter, is it new, does it look newish or has it never been changed, same goes for oil filter and colour, also check the level. Pull a plug and take alook at it, run your finger around the the whole in the head from where you just pulled the plug.


NICK

Originally posted by Snake47720
Drop it in, hammer down...

While you're playing, build up your other motor correctly. I AGREE:grinpimp: