Any opinions on this motor? Good deal? Bad deal? What should I look for? Is it best just pay the money to a machine shop and have them build one specifically for my car? My car is pretty much stock and I'm looking for a reliable street car no racing or track time just want the power there for fun. .


https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...654685979.html

 

I'd get some details of EXACTLY what's in it. Does it have Wiseco forged pistons like box says? What rods? I can't tell if they are stock or aftermarket I-beams. What heads? Look like some of the imports? Did they build them or buy them assembled? Balance? Looks like a one piece seal block..so need to know how they balanced it so you can get right flywheel.

It "could" be a decent deal. Just need to verify for sure what's in it. Maybe call machine shop for verification.

What cam/lifters? Rockers?

JIM

 

If its as advertised, its a great deal.. but at 500HP it may just be more than you want . Its going to have a serious cam, poor low speed manners a higher rpm power band and probably not enough vacuum to operate brakes ..

 

What is your hood situation?

 

Doubt its anywhere close to 500 but with the cam, heads sure its well over 400, plenty of fun.

 

this

 

I see lots of engines on CL and many will boast never started, would any of you guys really buy an engine from a stranger that is on a stand never started and cant be test fired?

 

If I did it would be a sum of its parts.....it would come apart as soon as it was in my possession for inspection....

Jebby

 

My hood situation is a 424 hood. But yes looking for good street manners and I definitely don't want any vacuum issues. That is why I really love this forum. I get a lot of great ideas and different opinions. I will definitely be asking a lot more questions to the Craigslist seller before I make any purchase.

 

He says its a full roller motor. Is it a Gen I SBC with a retro roller setup, or is it a roller block? The roller block has some flywheel/flexplate compatibility to figure out.

The good news is that the cam should be easy to swap out for whatever you actually want...even if it was run on that cam, since its a roller, you can just swap the cam (I would).

 

I bought a longblock from CL from a guy with a small shop locally... he even pointed a cross the street to the 76 custom pickup the block originally was pulled from for a 383 swap... The longer I talked to the guy the more stuff he kept giving me for free... When I got the engine torn down I could see why. He likely felt a little guilty since he probably knew the engine with less than 7k on it had broken a ring (he told me had been repaired and while it was- the trash in the block had ruined the bearings and grooved up the crank journals. Still For $300 I got a good 4 bolt block (supposedly high nickel by markings but) and a comp 218/468 cam = lifters I was able to sell in good shape , plus fairly new speedpro 030 flat tops along with an aluminum oil pan/ high volume melling oil pump /flax fan/ numerous new car spacers still in the box as well as chrome alternator bracket and new rocker arms/various other components.
My point is it was still a fair value and I went in with the attitude that for the price I cant expect perfection. I replaced all the bearings and crank when I rehoned the cylinder walls which did not show any signs of high mileage and really didnt need it and checked everything with plastiguage as well as a micrometer..

What happened to the $1200 383 you started the other identical thread about?

 

Unles I knew the builder personally, I don't think I would ever purchase an already-built engine from an individual. My first question would be "Why are you selling it? Is something wrong with it? Did you decide you should have used different parts, etc?"

Too many doubts. If you already have a good engine block, just get it built by someone you know or a shop you can trust.

 

Times 2. In fact work with a good machine shop and build your own.

 

There are no free lunches, if chance these adds and win great, but if you loose you pay twice and double the work. Someone elses signature says it best in that only a rich man can afford cheap parts, you get what you pay for.

 

After asking more questions on that $1200 motor the guy pretty much got frustrated and said come look at it and if you like it buy it if you don't then leave it. So I stopped wasting my time. I guess the conclusion I am coming too is that it's probably going to be best and safer to buy and build a engine specific for my car.

 

It is more than acceptable to have a build sheet on an engine to sell.....and if the seller does not have one....then they should know an unknown engine is a tough sell to anyone. If they do not realize this-RUN!
Because 85% of what an engine is about is on the inside.....they are Kryptonite to anyone who is not in the know.....
When I build an engine for someone....there are plenty of build pics and a full sheet.....but even then....is it assembled correctly?

Jebby

 

okay so these cats I see on CL trying to get close to what they invested in a built engine that can not be test fired are not really getting those tall dollars....

 

I'd take it apart, and measure eveything. Twice. Price would have to be cheap.

 

Id never buy a motor used that I couldnt hear run
Friend just picked up a 406 with afr 210s in great shape for 1500 fwiw
Used but great shape. 1200 for an unknown...Just build one youll know what you got and wont worry when you stand on it.
Every once in a blue moon something good/cheap comes along but most times cheap parts are the most expensive.

Sounds like a typical CL seller..any more than 2 questions if you can even get them on the phone they get beligerent not a good sign

Selling is just as tough....got 3 up for sale getting tired of being offered %50 via text then if you dont take it they flag your ad.

Keep us posted OP