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Student of the obvious
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 7,714
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Can the health of an uninstalled engine be determined?
Found an engine for sale cheap... guy says it hasn't been run in >3 years. It's either a 3.0 or 3.2 with Webbers and a 915. How do you know if an engine like this is OK as it sits or if it need rebuilding?
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Lee |
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05-29-2008, 09:33 AM
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GAFB
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Raleigh, NC, USA
Posts: 7,842
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Other than obvious physical/visible indicators, you can do a cold leakdown test to get a feel for the condition of the motor. If the 915 is present and bolted up, slap on a starter and a battery, and you can do cold compression also, if needed.
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Several BMWs |
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05-29-2008, 09:57 AM
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Evolved
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,338
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Engines/trans-axles sitting out of vehicles always present unique problems/questions.
Do you know the seller? Was it his engine? Do you know him and/or think you can trust him? If it's a 3.0 or 3.2 you know someone has tinkered with it (Weber's) ...so, perhaps there are other (internal) mods.? No way to know mileage, condition of bearings/rings/chains/oil pump/valves/etc. Unless I can hear an engine run, I ALWAYS take it apart, just to see what I have. (But that's just me.)
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Don't fear the reaper. |
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05-29-2008, 10:07 AM
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,943
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Is it this jerk in Scottsdale who professes to be an engine specialist? Forget his name but if he has even gotten near the engine then run.
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2013 Jag XF, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
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05-29-2008, 11:20 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
Posts: 37,748
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You can pull the plugs, turn it over with a wrench, remove the sump (if it's a 3.2) or the drain plug if it has one and look at the oil. You can look at the bottom for obvious signs of a pulled head stud and if it doesn't have the exhaust on it, you can see the ports for how it was running (beyond the plug check). Check the intakes with a flashlight with the butterflies open, if there's valve leakage in the intakes, it will show. I'd say you at least have get the thing up in the air to see this stuff.
You could go further and remove the valve covers since the motor is out. Lots of ways to size things up. I still wouldn't pay top dollar. |
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05-29-2008, 11:29 AM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 2,948
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Why don't you post the engine number so age/model can be verified? You have a greater chance of broken head studs on '78-81 engines, less so on '82> engines. On 3.2 engines you have a greater chance of valve guide problems than on a 3.0. If their is no engine number walk away. Knowledge is power...
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Keep the Shiny Side UP! Pete Z. |
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05-29-2008, 03:22 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,522
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Find a dyno and for $75 you could run it no?
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O2 In Sully We Believe |
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05-29-2008, 04:31 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
Posts: 37,748
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Quote:
I think he's better of following the best of all the suggestions above including determining what the actual motor is, per PZ. |
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05-29-2008, 05:00 PM
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Student of the obvious
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 7,714
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I don't think it's in Scottsdale. I called this morning and asked for the engine number. He said he'd call back in 10 minutes. That was 5 hours ago. Hmmm...
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Lee |
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05-29-2008, 06:08 PM
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