K-Spaz

As the title says, I bought a motor. The idea is to replace the one that's in my car working perfectly now.

The new one is used and came from a salvage car. Has a fair amount of documentation with it. It's got a cam installed, new valve springs, pushrods and some other trinkets. Dyno sheet says it was just under 400whp.

I do not know what all work was done to the motor, but I speculate that very little other than adding parts. I want to say it was a budget build, in spite of the choice of some fairly expensive parts. Case in point, a big cam was put in but the stock balancer was not replaced.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the oil pump was not touched, lifters are probably originals given I have no paperwork saying they are new. Rockers are still the stock ones.

I am going to compression test it while it's sitting on the stand. I'd like to compare to the engine that's in my car now which I know to be solid.

My question to the folks here is, What else should I be looking to do before installing this thing in my car? I'm in no rush, this might be months for all I know. I'm buying a balancer for sure. It's got the arp bolt as does mine now. I'm not sure what else to check.

JrRifleCoach

Just think of all the parts that are going to be easy to replace now.
And a bitch when the engine is installed.
And replace them. Oil pump, water pump, crank seals.

frodo84

Do a leak down test, it will give you the best indication of engine health. If you're going to pull the balancer, I would at least look at the chain/gear, and replace the oil pump/o-ring.

K-Spaz

Ok, I was prepped for an oil pump, timing chain and sprockets, and main seals. Just wasn't sure what else to look for. Thinking I might do lifters, the heads will have to come off to put it in anyway since I'm going in the top (for now). Unless I buy a lift first, this'll be done the old fashioned way.

I'm hoping to avoid an entire rebuild and machine work.

OWENMUSTANG

Above + check rods and mains.

( any used engine of unknown history should get checked..unless you like pulling engines)

racebum

should have done the leakdown before you bought.

K-Spaz

I don't own a leakdown tester so so that wasn't an option. Might buy one now though.

I did have the very recent dyno slip and a bunch of documentation. The car was wrecked so I'm guessing it worked good enough to get the last owner in trouble.