Evaluating Unrunning Engine for Sale

[pryord]

So, in my constant search for the perfect "fixer", I often come across cars in which the engine doesn't run. The owner always says, "It turns easily by hand." Does this mean much?

I know a compression test will give some good info, but how well can you really evaluate an engine that is in a car, but not running?

[javadog]

David,

Just because you can turn the engine over by hand means very little. An engine that has essentially no parts that are suitable for a rebuild (within factory tolerances/specs for reuse) will generally still run. You may also run across an engine that has been put together, by some idiot, from a mix of parts from different engines that shouldn't ordinarily be in the same engine.

Of course, you may also find an engine that needs nothing more than someone with enough knowledge to get it running again. Some of these cars get worked on by people that don't know anything about them, so they fail to fix a simple problem that others could solve easily. You never know for sure. How risk averse are you?

Personally, I am not much of a risk taker, unless the car/engine in question is rare and desirable. There are too many good ones out there and bringing a Porsche back from the dead can eat you out of house and home rather quickly.

JR

[DW SD]

Leak down can be done on a non-running engine. That tests piston to cylinder and valve sealing. To clarify, its results are only valuable on an engine that has ran (not a newly rebuilt engine).

Doug

[Zeke]

Doug has a good point. But, the test is usually done on a warm engine. If the thing has not run in a long time, the results of the test may be very negative when, in fact, the motor is not that bad.

Search threads containing info on how to start a motor that has sat for a long time. If you are that interseted in the car, you should be willing to take the valve covers off, check the gas tank, filter and lines and be willing to spend some time prepping it for running.

This will also include removing the spark plugs and turning the motor by hand. Or take it to a shop for a PPI. If the seller has no patience for these actions, either run away or gamble on it.

I gambled and won, sort of. At least I've had a lot of fun for my five grand that I paid for the beast.

[Jeff Alton]

If it does not run, it makes me think the owner had an idea how much it would cost to fix, and decided against it. To be safe, assume it needs a full rebuild. $$$$ If it turns out it doesn't need that, you win. Gamble the other way and watch your back account head for zero!

Cheers

[LakeCleElum]

I'm with Jeff. I've bought a lot of old motorcycles over the years....Always shoot for a price that will let you do a full rebuild and still break even......IF not, walk away.....