Frozen motor

S hammer · 07-06-2008, 09:12 PM

Any help & or guidance / experience appreciated. I have located a 912 motor that is frozen solid. Any chance of it being okay or is there major negatives in purchasing this motor.Owner seems to think the rings are rusted due to the fact that the carbs have been removed.My concern is that the crank has damaged the case if crank is broken? Any input is appreciated.Cliff

maybe368 · maybe368's Garage

It would be easy enough to disassemble the engine and see why it is frozen. I assume that the engine was exposed to weather? I have seen more conventional engines that were so frozen that the pistons had to be beaten out of the cylinders with a sledge hammer, and then reused without problem. On the other hand I have seen brand new pistons that were sized and blue printed correctly seize faster than a South American coup. I suppose the real question is how much cost and effort this engine is worth...good luck Mark

ed martin · 07-07-2008, 11:26 AM

Purchase the engine assuming the worst case scenario. Figure how much, say if it's a broken crank, it's going to cost to fix and factor that in with your offer. Once you purchase, it's simple to disassemble, the problem is usually obvious. Probably rusted rings frozen to the cylinders. I wouldn't be hitting anything with a sledge!

maybe368 · maybe368's Garage

I was in no way suggesting that anyone hit anything with a sledge hammer...at least on the car...

S hammer · 07-08-2008, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed martin

Purchase the engine assuming the worst case scenario. Figure how much, say if it's a broken crank, it's going to cost to fix and factor that in with your offer. Once you purchase, it's simple to disassemble, the problem is usually obvious. Probably rusted rings frozen to the cylinders. I wouldn't be hitting anything with a sledge!

what is the likelyhood of a rod going thru the case in between the fan housing?

ed martin · 07-08-2008, 10:33 AM

Easy enough to pull the housing and check. Seems unlikely though, but things happen. Anytime you purchase an engine, it's always a crap shoot at best. I've noticed a fair number of sellers making a major deal of one issue to distract you from the real more serious issue.

cfc · 07-09-2008, 03:00 PM

I would not give more than $200 to $300 for it. That may sound low, but they are not hard to find, and if the seller thinks it is low let him open it up and show you what the problem really is.

912UK · 912UK's Garage

you just can't say really with out stripping it..

pays your money takes your choice..

if stuck then offer the money for a stuck motor!!

if he is not happy walkway..

I have stuff like this before and it turned out to be frozen valves but it's a lucky out come if this is the case only..

ed martin · 10:57 AM

When you say motor, what are we talking about exactly? Is it complete, ie all the tin, shroud, flywheel, linkage, carbs etc. etc.? All of that stuff has value!! Do your homework. Look at Ebay and see what componants are going for. I would never turn my nose up at a complete engine if the price were right. I would guess the $1500-2000 range. If you can pick it up cheaper than I think your doing well.