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How do can you tell whether salvage motor is good?

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Old 09-27-2010, 06:41 PM
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How do can you tell whether salvage motor is good?

How reliable are the mileage records on salvage engines. Are these engines tested before they are sold?

What should I expect to pay?


Thanks.
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Old 09-27-2010, 06:48 PM
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Throw a bellhousing/tranny and starter on, and compression test.
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Old 09-27-2010, 07:33 PM
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Make sure the crank spins freely.

Most yards will give you a 30 day warranty.
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Old 09-28-2010, 06:56 AM
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Originally Posted by FallenOne
Most yards will give you a 30 day warranty.


And their info on the part most likely is very accurate.
LKQ business is insurance co. driven as well.
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Old 09-29-2010, 04:04 AM
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Originally Posted by FallenOne
Make sure the crank spins freely.

Most yards will give you a 30 day warranty.
+1 on the spinning freely.

Yea 30 day warranty isnt worth having to repull the engine and return it and hope they have another one for you to PULL again
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Old 09-29-2010, 07:07 AM
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Originally Posted by ColombianMax
+1 on the spinning freely.

Yea 30 day warranty isnt worth having to repull the engine and return it and hope they have another one for you to PULL again
ummm, yeah! lots o work for nothing, and time, and money, not to mention aggravation. have someone check motor out first if possible.
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Old 09-29-2010, 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by ColombianMax
+1 on the spinning freely.

Yea 30 day warranty isnt worth having to repull the engine and return it and hope they have another one for you to PULL again
Originally Posted by max ride 41
ummm, yeah! lots o work for nothing, and time, and money, not to mention aggravation. have someone check motor out first if possible.
Wheres your guys sense of fun and destruction? I dont know about you guys but i love beating down an old car... makes driving one a little easier..

Also I dont know where you guys are going but the yard i pull from i cut every line.. I literally have pulled engines in less than 45 Mins... and ghetto'ed a cherry picker with seat belts and a giant hoist.
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Old 09-29-2010, 10:16 PM
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Can't you do the compression test without the transmission?

I would see if the compression is the same across all 6 cylinders.

Originally Posted by asand1
Throw a bellhousing/tranny and starter on, and compression test.
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Old 09-30-2010, 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by ef9
Can't you do the compression test without the transmission?

I would see if the compression is the same across all 6 cylinders.
What if they're all even (all 6) but only 40 psi?LOL!!! No, on a real note....make sure they're even or within the spec's, usually 10-15 psi between the highest and lowest readings..... another good gauge not mentioned yet is removing the exhaust manifolds to look @ how the engine was running! If it's burning oil the exhaust ports will be oily or have evidence of oil in them! If the car was running rich, the exhaust ports will very black and sooty! The lean will be very pale sorta white! A good running engine will have a light brown colored exhaust ports sorta like a chocolate candy color!
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Old 10-01-2010, 12:28 AM
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Good catch.

Another obvious one to look at is the spark plugs, oil (make sure no milk shake).
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