I have a question, hoping to get some help.

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Jonathonmb357

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2022
Posts
91
Reaction score
77
Location
Fort Worth, Texas
First Name
Jonathon
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C30
Engine Size
292 cubic inch inline-six
Most of the salvage yards I have ever dealt with, will have run a compression test on each engine and usually have a 90 day guarantee. When you buy an engine from a private party there are usually NO guarantees expressed even if you know that person very well. Just my experience and .02 cents worth.
I appreciate the time and experience you're relaying to me! That's cool, I definitely hope to be car savvy as I learn.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,961
Reaction score
23,479
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Without getting into a whole discussion about various salvage yard policies, my main point was this:

(And this assuming that contact has been made with the seller, the engine is supposed to be good, and the valve covers and intake were pulled for a look-see)

If I were selling a known good running 454 and some dude came up and said they would only pay core value because they didn't hear it run... I'd probably tell them to go hug a root.

As far as the transmission goes, I'd consider that to be just an added bonus. I'd look at that as more of a core, but that has nothing to due with my trust in others and everything to do with my lack of trust in automatic transmissions.
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
5,882
Reaction score
9,623
Location
Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
454
There's always the possibility that a used engine could be junk, but normally a better chance that it is not.

I've bought a lot of used engines over the years, not a single one have I heard run first. Leaving it in the vehicle is usually not economical for the seller or the buyer. In this case, I'm sure the seller did not want the rotted motor home sitting around while they found a buyer that would come see the engine running, then come back a second time with cash, once the owner found time in their potentially busy schedule to remove the engine. Realistically, very few engines are sold in "I saw it run for myself" condition. Just like buying one from a salvage yard. Nobody buys an engine from a salvage yard after saying that they will only pay core value because they didn't hear it run. Why would a private sale be any different?
The difference is you can actually get another engine from the salvage yard for free if the first one is no good.
I agree with most everything else said and the likelihood that it is a runner.
But none of that negates or even reduces the fact that the add for that engine is full of red flags.

Edit, sorry the junkyard warranty thing was already discussed.
 

Jonathonmb357

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2022
Posts
91
Reaction score
77
Location
Fort Worth, Texas
First Name
Jonathon
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C30
Engine Size
292 cubic inch inline-six
Without getting into a whole discussion about various salvage yard policies, my main point was this:

(And this assuming that contact has been made with the seller, the engine is supposed to be good, and the valve covers and intake were pulled for a look-see)

If I were selling a known good running 454 and some dude came up and said they would only pay core value because they didn't hear it run... I'd probably tell them to go hug a root.

As far as the transmission goes, I'd consider that to be just an added bonus. I'd look at that as more of a core, but that has nothing to due with my trust in others and everything to do with my lack of trust in automatic transmissions.
Okay! Thank you for the time you put into your advice. I gotta write this stuff down
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,856
Posts
903,621
Members
33,370
Latest member
mitchell1128
Top