What do you look for when looking at junkyard engines to be sure you don't get a piece of trash? Is there any way to test the engine before you pull it?

 

Car Craft has an article on that in the Feb 2003 issue on page 70.
The title is Diagnosing A Used Engine. I am not positive but i am sure you could read that article on line too www.carcraft.com

 

Sarge,

I wish I could help, but short of hearing them run, you're taking your chances. Most reputable yards will have an exchange policy if you find that you didn't get what you expected when you open the oil pan and pull the heads.

 

around my neck of the woods, if there are no holes in the block, it's a good buy, there are no warranties or anything else, when you buy a block from the yard, it's just a block...anything inside it is extra, if it works, thats a plus, if not, too bad, you paid for an engine block.

 

Use the lack of testing ability as a way to drive the price down. So you don't get burned as bad if it has issues. If they can test it for you and show that it works, and give you a warranty it is worth your paying more.

 

Alot of junkyards will hook a battery to the starter, start it with a screwdriver, and pour gasoline down the intake.

Other than that, look at what you can see: inside the oil fill, look around under the valve covers; look at the exhaust ports for signs of oil burning; check for massive leaks; overall state of maintenance; etc.

 

you can also get a idea on how well it was maintained if you can find and non baffled hole and rub your finger against a rocker and see if it comes out slugged up.. if it does chances are the engine was poorly maintained.

 

Gee, where was this post in December!!! I got a 350 from a pick your part lot and when I started tearing it down I found that the #3 rod had broken and #4 bent! Luckily the yard has a 90 exchange policy so I got another one. When looking for the second one I removed the spark plugs and cranked the engine a full turn with a 5/8 socket on the damper bolt - this way I knew at least the bottom end wasn't trashed. It did need a new camshaft though, but that's peanuts and now I can put in any flavor I want!

 

Damn guys ! Im printing this thread . This is a good one because one day I know I'll be pulling a junkyard motor !