new to me engine

[level3porkproducer]

i just picked up a used engine, and im wondering if there is any thing i need to do before i put it in. the engine sat for about 3or 4 months. i know i should change the oil but is there anything else major that i need to check out i have a few days to tinker with it before ill have help to put it in.

 

[powerband]

If it's a Ford Six:

Take a good look at the Exhaust manifold. Inspect for cracks or leaky mating surface. . It is difficult to work on once installed. If it looks OK - don't play with it.

Since it's out, I would attempt to give it a cosmetic cleaning and maybe some Ford Blue or Red engine paint. They always run better after that 8) .

 

[fordconvert]

Do you know it was running or in running condition? If you are confident it is running then its just take care of leaks and clean up.

If it looked like a leaker I would do the pan and valve cover gaskets along with the crank seals which requires the timing cover to come off. All not a big deal in a engine stand. It will also give you a good look at the internals like the timing chain. As long as you dont pull the head its fairly quick easy and cheap.

When I pulled my motor out I bought a can of foamy engine cleaner and a bottle of purple water base detergent cleaner concentrate. While at the store I picked up a small toilet brush and some other handy looking brushes from the kitchen section. Took about 2 hours in the stand in the driveway with a piece of cardboard under. Most of the slime seemed to stay on the cardboard. I then pulled the covers and washed those separate.

One note about the oil pan, go easy on the front corner pan bolt that goes into the timing cover. Its either the steel bolt sizing to the aluminum cover or the fact that its a blind hole and the bolt is too long or too much crud is in the hole. 4 out of my 5 motors have this bolt broke off. 1 I did, the other 3 came to me that way. Take it slow and easy by hand.

 

[level3porkproducer]

the engine looks like its in pretty good condition. just the normal leaks. one of my buddies told me i should change the main bearings before i put it in, does that sound right

 

[fordconvert]

Get it in a stand. If you dont have one they come up on craigs list all the time and the 'import' ones that are available at discount and parts stores for around $50 will hold up a 6. Clean it up good then take off the valve cover, timing cover, and oil pan. Have a look around. See how much slop there is in the chain, that will give you some idea how long the thing has been together. You can turn the engine by hand and watch the rocker arms making sure that everything keeps moving and none of the pushrods ever go slack. You can see most of the cam and look for wear. You can also see the bottom of the cylinder bores and get some clues to how long its been together. You can check for end play in the crank. You can see if you can wiggle the rods on the crank. If its all fairly good looking slap some new gaskets and seals in and go unless you have the budget for a full rebuild. Once you take off the head and start messing with bearings you get into a lot of 'might as wells' which will eventually lead to a full proper rebuild. Post a bunch of pictures when you get it apart, Im sure everyone here will be glad to give you their 2cents and tell you what or how to check. I found a local machine shop that was willing to look at mine when I had it at that stage.

 

[BIGREDRASA]

Prime all the oil passages by using a drill to spin the oil pump. Otherwise, with the plugs out, squirt some oil into each cylinder and crank it for a couple of minutes.

 

[level3porkproducer]

thanks for the advice guys. i just picked it up tonight. this is my first engine swap so im a little excited im a virgin

 

[fordconvert]

You have a running engine in the car now? Is that car your only motorized transport? Try and take it slow and easy. Just because these engines are easy to pull out and put in doesnt mean you want to be doing it again soon because you did not take the time now. If you pull the pans like I talked about and get a good look at things you will be more comfortable with it if appears to run good and if runs like crap at least you will be able to eliminate a few internal possibilities and hopefully zero in on the real problem quicker instead of wondering if it could be the cam or the chain or whatever. You may also find out that you can wiggle the rods and crank by hand and not see any lobes on the cam, in that case you did not waste any time putting it in as is. Its also nice to get it clean. I did not bother to paint mine but I am glad I cleaned it real good. It was so messy I probably would have never got anything to seal if I did not give it that first good scrubbing.

A distant buddy just called me to ask if he can borrow a stand and hoist, I have an engine on my stand and I can remember who I loaned my hoist to. Took a look on craigs list and am now on my way to pick up a used 1 time hoist and stand set. Looks like the cheap crap but the guy only wants $100 for the set. The big question is how much I sell it to my buddy for??