The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - 55.2-59 When to buy engine?

dsraven · 08-07-2019, 01:16 PM

what I meant by "buy the engine last" was use a mock up engine for weight and size etc, then buy the new crate engine last, before paint, so the warranty period will be of the most use. no use to buy the engine and let the warranty run out before the project is ready for start up. mu opinion only.
what I meant by a wreck is an insurance write off that was obviously running when it was in a wreck. not a roll over or a flood vehicle if you plan to use the engine. you can use the drive line for mock up and sell the rest then use the engine as a runner if it is a gooder or use it for mock up purposes only then sell it as a core when done. sell the wreck as a hulk to somebody looking for parts. done that several times and never lose money on them. usually double what I pay for the hulk but not factoring in any labor either. plus end up with the parts I need, removed by myself so nothing is busted or torched off by the "yard guy" at the wrecker.

jwhotrod, I have been in the same boat as you over the years with guys that want me to install their "good, warranteed wrecking yard beauty". so, install and find out it was sitting on a shelf for 5 years previous and it burns oil like a freight train, the frost plugs leak, the oil seals leak etc etc. warranty will only replace the used engine with another used engine and they (wrecker) hope for the best this time around. no skin off their knuckles. no labor covered so the owner pays twice. I even had one delivered by a customer for install that was seized up! wow, good quality control there!
when I replace engines for guys and they want used I buy from a reputable wrecker I know goes through lots of product, tracks the date the unit was bought from insurance auction, gets compression, oil pressure readings etc, and have never had a problem with their stuff. when you walk in the door you hear impact guns going, not hammers and torches. you know when you go into some places that you can buy a light or a bumper, a fender or some other body panel but an engine or trans is maybe better purchased somewhere else.
I have installed many crate engines over the years and really had a trouble free relationship with them overall. a small percentage of issues.

08-07-2019, 01:16 PM	#15
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 8,499	Re: When to buy engine? what I meant by "buy the engine last" was use a mock up engine for weight and size etc, then buy the new crate engine last, before paint, so the warranty period will be of the most use. no use to buy the engine and let the warranty run out before the project is ready for start up. mu opinion only. what I meant by a wreck is an insurance write off that was obviously running when it was in a wreck. not a roll over or a flood vehicle if you plan to use the engine. you can use the drive line for mock up and sell the rest then use the engine as a runner if it is a gooder or use it for mock up purposes only then sell it as a core when done. sell the wreck as a hulk to somebody looking for parts. done that several times and never lose money on them. usually double what I pay for the hulk but not factoring in any labor either. plus end up with the parts I need, removed by myself so nothing is busted or torched off by the "yard guy" at the wrecker. jwhotrod, I have been in the same boat as you over the years with guys that want me to install their "good, warranteed wrecking yard beauty". so, install and find out it was sitting on a shelf for 5 years previous and it burns oil like a freight train, the frost plugs leak, the oil seals leak etc etc. warranty will only replace the used engine with another used engine and they (wrecker) hope for the best this time around. no skin off their knuckles. no labor covered so the owner pays twice. I even had one delivered by a customer for install that was seized up! wow, good quality control there! when I replace engines for guys and they want used I buy from a reputable wrecker I know goes through lots of product, tracks the date the unit was bought from insurance auction, gets compression, oil pressure readings etc, and have never had a problem with their stuff. when you walk in the door you hear impact guns going, not hammers and torches. you know when you go into some places that you can buy a light or a bumper, a fender or some other body panel but an engine or trans is maybe better purchased somewhere else. I have installed many crate engines over the years and really had a trouble free relationship with them overall. a small percentage of issues.