| Re: Engine rebuilt but never started in 5 plus years [message #246777 is a reply to message #246755] |
Tue, 08 April 2014 11:56   |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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Tony, the list or unknowns make this a big risk unless you are paying core prices...ie $500. If it were mine, I'd first squirt some ATF in the plug holes and, with the plugs out, see if I could turn it over by hand. If so, I'd pull the pan, check a couple bearings for tolerances and verify the shells are new, look for proper cross hatch on the cylinder walls indicating the bores were at least honed, then pre-oil, and check compression. If all that was good, I MIGHT risk buttoning it back up and installing it in a normal car. HOWEVER, in the GMC, as much pain as it is to install, I'd plan on tearing it down and verifying everything was indeed 'rebuilt' and is still in good condition.
If you could not turn it over by hand, I'd definitely tear it down completely. You might get lucky and find it has all new parts and all the machine work was done right. A light hone and a new gasket set and you've got a 'new' engine. Or you might find out that 'rebuilt' meant replacing the bearing shell on a spun bearing, a cheap gasket set, and a couple rattle cans of engine paint.
If a ring is stuck and you force it and break a ring, you can create a scratch that will require a re-bore in just a revolution or two.
I have a Chrysler 440 I built some years back. It's been on an engine stand in a storage room in my shop ever since. I KNOW what was done to it and that what was done was done right. If I ever install it, it will come down and at least re-hone the cylinders.
Perhaps the guy will sell it cheap and you can decide if you want to take the risk. At the very least, he should be willing to let you do the ATF, turn over by hand, bit. If that works, you can decide how much of a gambler you are.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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