55.2-59 When to buy engine?

[dsraven]

the guys are pretty dead on, again.
if you have a bunch of time left before the engine will actually be fired up to move the truck you might consider buying a cheap used engine from the classified ads. even a complete core engine from a wreck or a core supply company that has no chance of running. core supply companies often buy engines from wrecks and sell to engine rebuilders etc. the extra attached stuff can be added pretty cheap sometimes because they have no use for it all, alt, ps pump and brackets etc etc. when done sell the core and even if it was a slight loss it would be better than having a brand new engine sitting between the rails running out it's warranty and getting covered in bodywork dust. that will give you the physical size and weight and allow fitment of all the peripheral stuff. then, when the times comes, purchase the new engine that will be used in the truck and install between all the nice clean set up stuff. when done send the truck for paint, that way there is less chance of a possible scratch while the engine install is happening.
if buying a new engine for the set up before you are close to finished the warranty could be over by the time you actually get to use the truck. check warranty fine print as well because some places will say the engine needs to be installed by a certified mechanic and some other items, like water pump, will also need to be replaced. documentation will be your friend in these cases.
if buying a used engine for the final then make sure to get one that you can hear running and possibly driving. do a cold and hot oil pressure test and a compression test (dry and wet). a leak down test could be advisable as well. pulling a valve cover off will also tell a good story as per maintenance and checking the spark plugs when they are removed for the compression test will tell how the engine has been running lately, tune wise, and also maintenance wise. a look inside the rad at the coolant will be the tell to see what the state of the cooling system has been. a rusty looking cooling system will mean the engine block will also be rusty and possibly partially full of sediment. core plugs will be thin as well since they rust from the back side.
just a thought
what engine/trans combo will you be using anyway? sometimes buying an insurance write off will yield all the stuff you need to make a used engine a good runner in your truck, then sell or scrap the remains. some actually come out ahead on these deals by selling the good parts they don't need.