Found a motor that was rebuilt and sitting for a long time. Problems?

iroc409 · Jun 10, 2013

I found an inline 6 Im interested in, that has been rebuilt. However, it was rebuilt in 1988 and its never been fired up. The guy took the head off to inspect it, and it had a tiny bit of surface rust in the bores he cleaned off with an emory cloth. He has all the paperwork with it from the rebuilda shop did all the work.

The interesting part is, the person he got the motor from went and had all the tin on the motor re-chromed at the same time (he has the paperwork for that as well). All the covers, motor mount, oil filter canister, fan, pulleys, vent tube, air cleanerpretty much everything, and it looks nice. I don't know anyone that makes chrome parts for these. I was planning on going for an original look, but the chrome would be very unique and make a cool hot rod.

Hes asking $2500 for all of it, and it would probably cost about $3500 to rebuild one. What kind of problems should I be concerned about from it sitting? It was painted, and I dont see anything in the pictures to worry about. It will need a few gaskets to put it back together, but otherwise is a fresh motor.

Deuces · Jun 10, 2013

Prime the oil pump before starting it up....
With fresh oil in the pan!!!

junk yard kid · Jun 10, 2013

Id probably put more cam lube on the cam before i fired it. But yah, give it a cleaning.

Ebbsspeed · Jun 10, 2013

What kind of precautions did he take to keep grit from the emery cloth from falling into the bores when he cleaned the rust off the cylinder walls?

Saxman · Jun 10, 2013

Ebbsspeed said: ↑

What kind of precautions did he take to keep grit from the emery cloth from falling into the bores when he cleaned the rust off the cylinder walls?
Click to expand...

That was my first thought too.

metalman · Jun 10, 2013

Since you need a gasket set anyway I'd take it apart, make sure it's clean, everything is rust free. I'd replace all the seals. I'd be worried about the seals being dry/ hard after that long. A leaky new motor wouldn't be cool. Even if you didn't feel compentent doing it yourself a machine shop probably wouldn't charge that much. A local guy here bought an old hemi that was sitting for ??? and a shop here charged him $250 to do just that. Cheap insurance on a $2500 investment.

Fenders · Jun 10, 2013

Rebuilt 25 years go, never run, and cylinders de-rusted with emery cloth?
Oh wait, it looks nice.....

Somewhere under $1,000 I'd be thinking.

31Dodger · Jun 10, 2013

Take it apart and clean it up as best you can. You will be glad you did.

Model T1 · Jun 10, 2013

The biggest problem I see here is no one mentioned what kind of engine or what year. Suck the crap out of the bores, add some Miricle Oil or WD-40, oil and prelube, put it back together,start it up and enjoy it in your ????? Chevy?

iroc409 · Jun 10, 2013

Ebbsspeed said: ↑

What kind of precautions did he take to keep grit from the emery cloth from falling into the bores when he cleaned the rust off the cylinder walls?
Click to expand...

Probably none. The head is still off the motor.

Fenders said: ↑

Rebuilt 25 years go, never run, and cylinders de-rusted with emery cloth?
Oh wait, it looks nice.....

Somewhere under $1,000 I'd be thinking.
Click to expand...

That's a far cry from $2500, but part of the price is probably all the chrome goodies.

So basically, I'm still going to have to take it considerably apart, and replace a lot of "stuff", and without removing everything (crank, etc) I'd still have a questionable motor (after probably having to drive 4.5 hrs to meet him).

Maybe he'd just sell all the chrome stuff--not that I really NEED it, that stuff is probably hard to keep clean in an engine bay.

iroc409 · Jun 10, 2013

Model T1 said: ↑

The biggest problem I see here is no one mentioned what kind of engine or what year. Suck the crap out of the bores, add some Miricle Oil or WD-40, oil and prelube, put it back together,start it up and enjoy it in your ????? Chevy?
Click to expand...

International SD-220.

Dane · Jun 10, 2013

Fenders said: ↑

Rebuilt 25 years go, never run, and cylinders de-rusted with emery cloth?
Oh wait, it looks nice.....

Somewhere under $1,000 I'd be thinking.
Click to expand...

I bought a Chevy 235 rebuilt and then sat in the guys garage for $500
$2500 is way too much.

czuch · Jun 10, 2013

You could 350/350 it for half that and get parts anywhere.
If youre going for points, talk him way, way,way down. For that you could rebuild your motor too. Take it all apart and renew the pre lube on the mains and rods too.

J scow · Jun 10, 2013

Yup take it apart lube the cam and mains re-seal and go. $2500 seems high but if its what you want and you have the dough..... Try to talk him down I doubt there is a line of people waiting to pay that price for that motor. Offer $1500 and call back in a week or two.

HOTRODPRIMER · Jun 10, 2013

I think he has it priced too high. HRP

iroc409 · Jun 10, 2013

The motor has been for sale for over a year. I wasn't planning on spending that at the moment, but want to get the truck running. We just bought our first house, so budget is definitely a concern.

I've seriously considered the 350 route, but want to stick with a manual trans. It would be reliable, cheap and easy--but I would really kind of like to keep an original motor in it. The 350 is a tight fit near the firewall, it's better if it can be pushed forward a bit (but it fits without cutting sheet metal.

I guess it's better driving it with a 350 than looking at it sit in the garage with the original motor.

pdunn10 · Jun 10, 2013

what year was the motor?
I think he is searching for price he wants seems high.
you can find a running 235 from a motor swap for about $500 if you look

rustynewyorker · Jun 10, 2013

Big difference in a 235 and an International motor. I can throw a rock in any direction (almost) and find a 235. I wouldn't know where to start on the IH. Those things rotted out and went right to the scrapyard around here.

Part of the price is most certainly the chrome. Figure what the chrome parts are worth, what the engine kit is worth, and figure at a minimum needing to tear it down, clean it, and at best a new hone in the bores.

big M · Jun 10, 2013

If there is no longer any warranty on the machine work and assembly, I certainly would try to get it cheaper. The work may have been good, or may not have.

If you do buy it, be sure to lightly oil the cylinders, and rotate the crank to lube the pistons and rings. Most assembly lube I have seen will last a good 20-30 years, but I'd still fill the sump and pre-lube everything by turning the oil pump with a speed wrench or drill until oil pressure is up.

---John

Don's Hot Rods · Jun 10, 2013

I would tear it down and replace the rings and gaskets, plus lube it all again. From sitting that long (25 years) the rings have probably lost their tension, as have the valve springs. The gaskets are probably dried out as are the seals on the crank and valve stems.

I have a 394 Olds that I rebuilt about 7 or 8 years ago and am using it in my rpu project, it has never been fired. But I am going to totally disassemble it and do the things I suggested above just because it is easier to do it now than after it is installed and running.

And $2500 for a 6 cylinder seems like a lot of money to me.

Don

iroc409 · Jun 10, 2013

rustynewyorker said: ↑

Big difference in a 235 and an International motor. I can throw a rock in any direction (almost) and find a 235. I wouldn't know where to start on the IH. Those things rotted out and went right to the scrapyard around here.

Part of the price is most certainly the chrome. Figure what the chrome parts are worth, what the engine kit is worth, and figure at a minimum needing to tear it down, clean it, and at best a new hone in the bores.
Click to expand...

Motor kits from EGGE are about $2500 (about the only place I've found you can get a "kit"). Pistons can be had for around $450-600, but are the hardest. I talked to an engine shop run by an older gentleman in the PNW before we moved, and he said expect about $3500 for a long block build. Mine might need manifolds and a carb replaced. The head is probably shot.

Parts are easier to come by than you'd think, and Rock Auto carries stuff now (even brake parts & MCs).

I've found a few motors here and there, even a running one in Kansas for $150... but it was about a 6-hour drive. The guy has probably scrapped it by now. A few in the $5-600 range that haven't been rebuilt.

There is TONS of chrome. Probably a couple grand by today's standards, but I've never chromed anything (just a few minutes of Googling) so it's a bit of a WAG.

boutlaw · Jun 10, 2013

I purchased an overhauled SBF that had been sitting for 20 + years, never started. Could not rotate the engine. Pulled it apart and all the assembly lube had turned to jelly/parafin looking goo. All bearings, rings, pistons, camshaft, etc were new parts. I don't know if a starter would have turned it over but if it had I feel sure the bearings, cylinder walls would have been damaged because of the goo in block and crank oil passages. I dissassembled it, cleaned the parts, lightly honed the cylinders and reassembled it using the same parts. It was a major pain in the arse, glad I got it cheap.

BOutlaw

iroc409 · Jun 10, 2013

Going with a V8 would be easier and I've been jonesing for a V8 again (it's been a while), but I would have to do some magic with the steering to get it in there. It will fit though, there's another guy online that rebuilt one of these and put in a MII up front and no sheetmetal appeared to be cut (for the motor--some was for the TH350).

gas4blood · Jun 10, 2013

As others have said, that seems like a high price for a 6 cyl. engine. Hard to find, perhaps so. But not very desirable, either. That's why he's had it for sale for a year. Half that money would be a lot after sitting for 25 years. Replace all gaskets and seals if you pull the trigger. Would it run? I'm sure it would. I also think it would leak, right away or in a little while. I agree with the others, a V8 would be cheaper.

Comparison, sort of....I bought a 235 Chevy with several thousand miles on a rebuild, Offenhauser covers, headers, cam, full dual exhaust that came out of a '49 Chevy truck like mine. Also had a T5 trans conversion. Runs like a swiss watch. $750.

rockabillybassman · Jun 10, 2013

The chrome is worth nothing if no-one is ever gonna see it.

czuch · Jun 10, 2013

Go buy it. You're talking youself into it. Bro, you wont be happy with anything else.
Chrome dazzle is killin ya. This one's 2.5 hrs away for 2500. The other one is 6 hrs away for 150. The just bought house and a 2500 rebuilt motor that needs to be totally gone through,,,,,,,,,,,youre in deep.

iroc409 · Jun 10, 2013

czuch said: ↑

Go buy it. You're talking youself into it. Bro, you wont be happy with anything else.
Chrome dazzle is killin ya. This one's 2.5 hrs away for 2500. The other one is 6 hrs away for 150. The just bought house and a 2500 rebuilt motor that needs to be totally gone through,,,,,,,,,,,youre in deep.
Click to expand...

Well, a bit dramatic, but the one for $150 is probably scrapped by now (haven't found the ad again), and was in very rough shape--but did run. I found one for $1200, that is of questionable rebuild, but it's too far for me to get. I'm going to have to do a lot of searching to get one to my door for less than $1000 that's any better than the one I already have, but I have time and you never know what you might run across.

I have a free SBC if we can find it, but it needs to be rebuilt as well.

I was thinking keeping the original motor with the chrome would be rather unique, but wasn't my original style intent.

Unless he's willing to come off the price a lot, I'm going to pass. Too much work to get it running; I thought maybe there wouldn't be much involved. I've done a lot of car work, but never rebuilt a motor (yet).

31Vicky with a hemi · Jun 10, 2013

Call your local machine shop and ask what they want for a tear down, clean and reassemble with new gaskets and seals. Explain the senario to the shop. Maybe the shop that did it in 88 is still around? Back that $ off the 2500 and that's your absolute top dollar.

Now if you feel comfortable doing the work all the better.

rustynewyorker · Jun 10, 2013

iroc409 said: ↑

Motor kits from EGGE are about $2500 (about the only place I've found you can get a "kit"). Pistons can be had for around $450-600, but are the hardest. I talked to an engine shop run by an older gentleman in the PNW before we moved, and he said expect about $3500 for a long block build. Mine might need manifolds and a carb replaced. The head is probably shot.

Parts are easier to come by than you'd think, and Rock Auto carries stuff now (even brake parts & MCs).

I've found a few motors here and there, even a running one in Kansas for $150... but it was about a 6-hour drive. The guy has probably scrapped it by now. A few in the $5-600 range that haven't been rebuilt.

There is TONS of chrome. Probably a couple grand by today's standards, but I've never chromed anything (just a few minutes of Googling) so it's a bit of a WAG.
Click to expand...

So $2500 for a rebuilt motor that would cost $3500 to build plus the chrome too, it just needs to be torn down and cleaned thoroughly.

Offer him $1500 or $2000 and see what happens. Sounds like it's not a bad deal - for that particular type of motor.

stillrunners · Jun 10, 2013

chrome....won't get you...home.....like others offer less - cause it has been a hard sell...then like others said - go thru it.....

Log in or Sign up

Found a motor that was rebuilt and sitting for a long time. Problems?

iroc409
Member

from Vancouver, WA

Deuces

junk yard kid
Member

from san diego,CA

Ebbsspeed
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from Shawnee, KS 66218

Saxman
Member

from Menifee, California

metalman
Member

from Canon City, Co

Fenders
Member

from 2,800 miles from Bisbee

31Dodger
Member

from Phoenix, Oregon

Model T1
Member

from Central Illinois

iroc409
Member

from Vancouver, WA

iroc409
Member

from Vancouver, WA

Dane
Member

from Soquel, CA

czuch
Member

from vail az

J scow
Member

from Seattle

HOTRODPRIMER
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from Anderson, S.C.

iroc409
Member

from Vancouver, WA

pdunn10
Member

from forest grove, OR

rustynewyorker
Member

from Upstate New York, watching my New Yorker Rust

big M
Member

from Williams, Ca.

Don's Hot Rods
Member

from florida

iroc409
Member

from Vancouver, WA

boutlaw
Member

from flowood, ms

iroc409
Member

from Vancouver, WA

gas4blood
Member

from Kansas

rockabillybassman
Member

from Napier, New Zealand

czuch
Member

from vail az

iroc409
Member

from Vancouver, WA

31Vicky with a hemi
Member

from cleveland ohio

rustynewyorker
Member

from Upstate New York, watching my New Yorker Rust

stillrunners
Member

from dallas

Share This Page

Archive

Atomic Industry

Support

Subscribe

Log in or Sign up

Found a motor that was rebuilt and sitting for a long time. Problems?

iroc409 Member from Vancouver, WA

Deuces

junk yard kid Member from san diego,CA

Ebbsspeed ALLIANCE MEMBER from Shawnee, KS 66218

Saxman Member from Menifee, California

metalman Member from Canon City, Co

Fenders Member from 2,800 miles from Bisbee

31Dodger Member from Phoenix, Oregon

Model T1 Member from Central Illinois

iroc409 Member from Vancouver, WA

iroc409 Member from Vancouver, WA

Dane Member from Soquel, CA

czuch Member from vail az

J scow Member from Seattle

HOTRODPRIMER ALLIANCE MEMBER from Anderson, S.C.

iroc409 Member from Vancouver, WA

pdunn10 Member from forest grove, OR

rustynewyorker Member from Upstate New York, watching my New Yorker Rust

big M Member from Williams, Ca.

Don's Hot Rods Member from florida

iroc409 Member from Vancouver, WA

boutlaw Member from flowood, ms

iroc409 Member from Vancouver, WA

gas4blood Member from Kansas

rockabillybassman Member from Napier, New Zealand

czuch Member from vail az

iroc409 Member from Vancouver, WA

31Vicky with a hemi Member from cleveland ohio

rustynewyorker Member from Upstate New York, watching my New Yorker Rust

stillrunners Member from dallas

Share This Page

Useful Searches

Archive

Atomic Industry

Support

Subscribe

iroc409
Member

from Vancouver, WA

junk yard kid
Member

from san diego,CA

Ebbsspeed
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from Shawnee, KS 66218

Saxman
Member

from Menifee, California

metalman
Member

from Canon City, Co

Fenders
Member

from 2,800 miles from Bisbee

31Dodger
Member

from Phoenix, Oregon

Model T1
Member

from Central Illinois

iroc409
Member

from Vancouver, WA

iroc409
Member

from Vancouver, WA

Dane
Member

from Soquel, CA

czuch
Member

from vail az

J scow
Member

from Seattle

HOTRODPRIMER
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from Anderson, S.C.

iroc409
Member

from Vancouver, WA

pdunn10
Member

from forest grove, OR

rustynewyorker
Member

from Upstate New York, watching my New Yorker Rust

big M
Member

from Williams, Ca.

Don's Hot Rods
Member

from florida

iroc409
Member

from Vancouver, WA

boutlaw
Member

from flowood, ms

iroc409
Member

from Vancouver, WA

gas4blood
Member

from Kansas

rockabillybassman
Member

from Napier, New Zealand

czuch
Member

from vail az

iroc409
Member

from Vancouver, WA

31Vicky with a hemi
Member

from cleveland ohio

rustynewyorker
Member

from Upstate New York, watching my New Yorker Rust

stillrunners
Member

from dallas