What to look for in a junkyard engine??

[thehamm99]

There's a 97 base at Pick n pull (I have a 97 lsc, any issues there?)

If I knew the engine was in decent running condition, I would go pull it.

Any advice on what to look for, what to check/test/ etc. on a junkyard engine like this one???

*Car doesn't appear to have been wrecked (which some hope for when looking for an engine).

 

[98lincmk7lsc]

Can't really offer you much help on the engine, other than make sure there's a warranty...

Maybe check the oil, pull the valve covers and see how it looks inside...


Anyway, what would they charge you for the grille and the "Intech" alternator cover pictured there?

 

[thehamm99]

Acoording to their website, the grill is about $21...not sure on the "Intech" cover, surely under $20 based on my experience.

It had an air dam too, I know people look for those. The air struts didn't look bad as far as I could tell, had some decent pieces inside (black interior).

Every exhaust pipe was cut off (or welded off) of each cat, wondering why would that be?

 

[thehamm99]

...and the only problem with the warranty is it ain't "money back." I don't need the "credit" if it doesn't work, I need my money.

 

[DieselDan]

They hack the converters off because they are worth good money.

 

[98lincmk7lsc]

Acoording to their website, the grill is about $21...not sure on the "Intech" cover, surely under $20 based on my experience.

It had an air dam too, I know people look for those. The air struts didn't look bad as far as I could tell, had some decent pieces inside (black interior).

Every exhaust pipe was cut off (or welded off) of each cat, wondering why would that be?

Are you interested in grabbing the grille for me?

 

[thehamm99]

I don't mind going back Tuesday and picking it up...pm me, we can talk about it.

I haven't removed one, is it just an under the hood operation? No going under the car?

 

[Don Pfau]

There's a 97 base at Pick n pull (I have a 97 lsc, any issues there?)

If I knew the engine was in decent running condition, I would go pull it.

Any advice on what to look for, what to check/test/ etc. on a junkyard engine like this one???

*Car doesn't appear to have been wrecked (which some hope for when looking for an engine).

If there is no warranty but it's cheap and you are interested take a battery and what ever else you can see that you might need (Gas, oil, water) and try to start it ?? If you cant start it at least take a sparkplug wrench and a compression tester, but that won't tell you if there is a problem in the bottom end.

 

[Sapperfire]

Take a fresh battery, and a remote start button (bout $8 at Oreilly)
Do a compression test before you remove that motor.

Trust me ...you will be major sorry you didn't if you're 1) out the cash and only get credit 2) install a motor only to find the right bank is flat -

 

[NetKeym]

I just bought an engine from a pic-n-pull. There were two Mark VIII's there - both 94s. One of them had a brand new water pump, radiator cap, and upper hose. I decided against that engine figuring it must have an overheating problem that they were trying to fix.

The second car had a State Farm sticker on the windshield that said DAMAGE: Collision. The engine looked all original with no changed parts with 110,000 on the clock. I pulled this engine and took it home. The only thing that bothered me about this car was the front suspension was worn out (tie rod ends, control arm bushings, etc) which indicated to me that the owner did not maintain the vehicle very well.

 

[GMAN]

There's a 97 base at Pick n pull (I have a 97 lsc, any issues there?)

If I knew the engine was in decent running condition, I would go pull it.

Any advice on what to look for, what to check/test/ etc. on a junkyard engine like this one???

*Car doesn't appear to have been wrecked (which some hope for when looking for an engine).

I think that may be a good engine. The intake looks real clean, and there's a Ford label on one of the hoses. I would be willing to bet that it is in the bone yard for something other than engine problems.

 

[thehamm99]

My engine looks really clean too...either bad valves, cracked head gasket between cylinders, or a cracked block. Gonna do a leakdown test when I have time this weekend.

It did look clean. If my car was worth $4-5k I would just scoop the engine up and take the 'credit' if it was bunk...but my mark is worth maybe $1800 with a good motor...maybe.

I'll have to see if they'll let me take a battery and test it out as others have suggested.

Netkeym,

How did it work out for you?

 

[GMAN]

What symptoms were you experiencing that lead you to the conclusion that you need a new motor? You didn't explain that in your first post.

 

[thehamm99]

Started with a rough idle, which got worse over time. I replaced a bunch of stuff to no avail. Plugs, boots, coil packs, iac, etc.... Never nailed it down so took it to my mechanic. Misfires on 7,8, 50lbs lost compression in 7, 20 in 8.

When it runs crappy (idle and hesitation sometimes evens out when warm) it sounds like blowback into the intake, which makes me think intake valve, but I am losing a little coolant, maybe a few oz. A week, which makes me think cracked head gasket between 7, 8.
Whatever he issue is, its grown worse, been getting some stalls at slowing down to stop (red light, right turn, idle dips too low, stalls) when cold.

I posted about it in another thread previously...

 

[NetKeym]

My engine looks really clean too...either bad valves, cracked head gasket between cylinders, or a cracked block. Gonna do a leakdown test when I have time this weekend.

It did look clean. If my car was worth $4-5k I would just scoop the engine up and take the 'credit' if it was bunk...but my mark is worth maybe $1800 with a good motor...maybe.

I'll have to see if they'll let me take a battery and test it out as others have suggested.

Netkeym,

How did it work out for you?

It's still sitting in the back of the truck! lol

I'm stripping the engine for a rebuild, so I'll let you know what I find as she comes apart.