Question about buying a used engine - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sandking · 10-30-2008, 12:21 AM

I am looking at an engine tomorrow that does not have a starter or an alternator. Not a big deal there, other then that, it is complete with a harness, computer and other accessories. But what should I look for if I cant check the compression or hear ir run, besides a visual inspection. It is supposedly a low mileage 6.0 LQ4. I am working on a trade, so it's not cash deal. I know I can check the oil, but anything else I can do? I don't have a bad feeling, but you never know. Thanks for any ideas!!

sandking · 10-30-2008, 12:22 AM

Oh yeah, I was not sure where to post this to get enough traffic before tomorrow. If it does not belong here, sorry.

*chevy29267truck* · 10-30-2008, 01:38 AM

every time i look at a engine its missing stuffel

hugger6933 · 10-30-2008, 06:29 AM

With the engine being a late model low miles I would assume[you know what happens there] it is out of a wreck. I build wrecks for a living and very rarly have one with a bad engine, I would say 1 in about 800- 1000. Look for damage on and around the block. Jim

sandking · 10-30-2008, 08:49 AM

Yeah, supposedly it had rear end damage. Motor has less then 10k on it.

mekdad · 10-30-2008, 09:00 AM

Pull the spark plugs,and see what they look like.

sneakysnake · 10-30-2008, 09:32 AM

Knowing the history behind why is being parted out is vital to getting good parts. If its wrecked and its obvious thats what took it out of commission
and it hasnt sat for years and years then you have a good chance.Its the ones that look just parked for no reason that could have minor, to the motor or tranny just slung apart.

big_al_71 · 10-30-2008, 12:41 PM

I would pull the oil pan off and see what it looks like under there check for metal shavings. Take the spark plugs off and also see what it looks like

**WIDESIDE72** · 10-30-2008, 05:29 PM

Personally , I would see about getting a starter from a wrecking yard so that you can turn the engine over and do a compression test. If you buy it, you will need a starter anyway.

sandking · 10-30-2008, 05:37 PM

I looked at it today. It looks really clean, the harness was complete and the computer present. But, he is no longer interested in a trade and wants $1000 for it. Unfortunately I dont have the cash......... Anybody wanna buy a dirt bike?

hugger6933 · 10-30-2008, 06:10 PM

Maybe for the best unless you have set aside good coin for the swap. By the time you buy a harness or have your converted to stand alone and pcm flash and fuel system it can and does get in your wallet real quick! Jim

10-30-2008, 12:21 AM	#1
sandking .....I am working on it..... Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anaheim Hills, Ca Posts: 960	Question about buying a used engine I am looking at an engine tomorrow that does not have a starter or an alternator. Not a big deal there, other then that, it is complete with a harness, computer and other accessories. But what should I look for if I cant check the compression or hear ir run, besides a visual inspection. It is supposedly a low mileage 6.0 LQ4. I am working on a trade, so it's not cash deal. I know I can check the oil, but anything else I can do? I don't have a bad feeling, but you never know. Thanks for any ideas!! __________________ . . . . . View my build thread HERE

10-30-2008, 12:22 AM	#2
sandking .....I am working on it..... Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anaheim Hills, Ca Posts: 960	Re: Question about buying a used engine Oh yeah, I was not sure where to post this to get enough traffic before tomorrow. If it does not belong here, sorry. __________________ . . . . . View my build thread HERE

10-30-2008, 01:38 AM	#3
chevy29267truck Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Alva Florida Posts: 668	Re: Question about buying a used engine every time i look at a engine its missing stuffel

10-30-2008, 06:29 AM	#4
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Question about buying a used engine With the engine being a late model low miles I would assume[you know what happens there] it is out of a wreck. I build wrecks for a living and very rarly have one with a bad engine, I would say 1 in about 800- 1000. Look for damage on and around the block. Jim

10-30-2008, 08:49 AM	#5
sandking .....I am working on it..... Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anaheim Hills, Ca Posts: 960	Re: Question about buying a used engine Yeah, supposedly it had rear end damage. Motor has less then 10k on it. __________________ . . . . . View my build thread HERE

10-30-2008, 09:00 AM	#6
mekdad Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Filer, Idaho Posts: 416	Re: Question about buying a used engine Pull the spark plugs,and see what they look like. __________________ you never know what you can do until you have to undo something you have done!

10-30-2008, 09:32 AM	#7
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: Question about buying a used engine Knowing the history behind why is being parted out is vital to getting good parts. If its wrecked and its obvious thats what took it out of commission and it hasnt sat for years and years then you have a good chance.Its the ones that look just parked for no reason that could have minor, to the motor or tranny just slung apart.

10-30-2008, 12:41 PM	#8
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: Question about buying a used engine I would pull the oil pan off and see what it looks like under there check for metal shavings. Take the spark plugs off and also see what it looks like __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

10-30-2008, 05:29 PM	#9
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,500	Re: Question about buying a used engine Personally , I would see about getting a starter from a wrecking yard so that you can turn the engine over and do a compression test. If you buy it, you will need a starter anyway.

10-30-2008, 05:37 PM	#10
sandking .....I am working on it..... Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anaheim Hills, Ca Posts: 960	Re: Question about buying a used engine I looked at it today. It looks really clean, the harness was complete and the computer present. But, he is no longer interested in a trade and wants $1000 for it. Unfortunately I dont have the cash......... Anybody wanna buy a dirt bike? __________________ . . . . . View my build thread HERE

10-30-2008, 06:10 PM	#11
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Question about buying a used engine Maybe for the best unless you have set aside good coin for the swap. By the time you buy a harness or have your converted to stand alone and pcm flash and fuel system it can and does get in your wallet real quick! Jim

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