Shopping for used cores or an engine that you want to transplant can be difficult if you don't know what you're looking for. We received so much feedback on the recent Dart engine build-up, and how people could relate to the story of buying a used engine block that was no good, that we thought that we'd show you what we're taking about and hopefully give you pointers on how to find a good used block. This story started with an engine build that went sour, but maybe our readers can learn from our experience. When it's time to build an engine there's a few ways that you can go. One scenario consists of locating a block from a classified paper such as The Recycler. Our favorite way is to find a running donor car and pull the engine. Wrecked cars are usually good as you know that they were running before the accident that did them in. You can also go to a junkyard and pick out a used engine. One difficulty of buying an engine that's not actually in a car is finding out about the engine without seeing or hearing it run. The only real way to find out about the engine is to open it up and hope that it's in good working condition. This is where gambling on a used engine can get ugly; that nice guy who was so happy to take your money just made out like a bandit and there's nothing that you can do about it. He said that the engine was "as is" and "I believe it's never been worked on." Opening up an engine can give you its life history, almost like an autopsy. From the heads being worked on to the timing chain being loose from wear and tear, the only way to find out is by tearing it down. Now follow along as we show you a couple of ways to shop for a used engine block from the best-case scenario to the worst where you spend money and waste time and have to start all over. You never know what you'll find at a local junkyard. In this case, we found a small-block that we were in need of. The donor car was a good source for parts if you own an early '70s Chevy Impala or Caprice.You never know what you'll find at a local junkyard. In this case, we found a small-block This 350 engine needs to be checked before we pull it out of the donor vehicle. Someone had tried to get this car to run and they could not get it to fire up, which normally will make anyone stay away from it as there's no history on what was done to the engine. All of the vacuum outlets were checked to make sure that they were plugged and that there wouldn't be any air leaks that would keep the engine from firing up. A battery jumper was used to power up the car as the belts had been removed. There are a few advantages to shopping at a "Pick-A-Part" junkyard, including the ability to pull parts from other vehicles to make what you need work for you. In our case, the carb and fuel pump were pulled off another vehicle with a cracked block.This 350 engine needs to be checked before we pull it out of the donor vehicle. Someone ha After a little bit of gas was poured into the carburetor, the engine started to run. You can also use Quick Start to help fire up the engine.After a little bit of gas was poured into the carburetor, the engine started to run. You c A screwdriver was used to keep the carburetor choked while the engine was running to make sure that it worked. This engine was good and ready to be transplanted.A screwdriver was used to keep the carburetor choked while the engine was running to make We found this engine in a donor car through a local paper. It was taken to the shop for a quick tear down inspection. The engine looked good from the outside and we were hoping that it was still good internally.We found this engine in a donor car through a local paper. It was taken to the shop for a Once you have your engine out you can read the numbers on the backside of the block, which tell you the engine's history, including the month that it was built.Once you have your engine out you can read the numbers on the backside of the block, which The front of an engine block has serial numbers, just like a car does on the body and frame.The front of an engine block has serial numbers, just like a car does on the body and fram If you have stock heads on your engine and you're going to run them, pull the valve covers off to access the head info.If you have stock heads on your engine and you're going to run them, pull the valve covers You can find the head info by the valve cover holes. These number combinations will also tell you the power that the heads will put out.You can find the head info by the valve cover holes. These number combinations will also t With the valve covers off, the heads were checked for grunge. This will give you a lead on how the engine's internals will look. The valve springs look to be in good condition and we can see that the heads have been gone through.With the valve covers off, the heads were checked for grunge. This will give you a lead on This engine recently had work done to it. You can see that the back cam cover had silicone all around it to prevent oil leaks.This engine recently had work done to it. You can see that the back cam cover had silicone This engine had an exhaust bolt broke in the treads, which can be a problem if you can't take it out. This bolt would keep your exhaust manifold or header from having a good seal and causing leaking back pressure.This engine had an exhaust bolt broke in the treads, which can be a problem if you can't t Once we got the engine to the shop we noticed that oil was leaking from the harmonic balancer; this usually is not a good sign.Once we got the engine to the shop we noticed that oil was leaking from the harmonic balan Another area to look for leaks is where the mechanical fuel pumps bolt on and the link rod goes. This hole is set up to hold the link rod in place while the fuel pump gets installed or replaced. If you don't leave it plugged it will leak oil.Another area to look for leaks is where the mechanical fuel pumps bolt on and the link rod The Edelbrock aluminum intake was taken off to inspect the engine more closely. The "valley" of the engine look to be in good condition, which took us back to the fact that the engine had recent work done to it.The "valley" of the engine look to be in good condition, which took us back to the fact th While closely inspecting the engine, we found that the previous hands were most likely looking for that bottle cap that they lost. Guess what, we found it, which started to raise more red flags on this engine.While closely inspecting the engine, we found that the previous hands were most likely loo The compression was checked on all of the pistons-a few were good but there were three that weren't holding up.The compression was checked on all of the pistons-a few were good but there were three tha While checking the compression, one of the pistons was leaking water. This also is not a good sign, as it usually means that a head gasket blew out and water got into the piston.While checking the compression, one of the pistons was leaking water. This also is not a g The chambers were lubed so the crank could be turned manually. We used a pry bar to determine if the crank could rotate normally. In our case, it was frozen, also not a good sign.We used a pry bar to determine if the crank could rotate normally. In our case, it was fro It was time to dump the oil to see what was holding up the crank. An average engine holds 5 quarts of oil. This engine had a few gallons of oil and water mixed together, which meant that we were in for a rough ride.It was time to dump the oil to see what was holding up the crank. An average engine holds As you can see, this is not a mixture of engine oil, but water and oil mixed together. With all of the oil out of block, the oil pan was removed to allow access to the crank. Once the pan was removed, we ran the finger test and kept finding grunge. Take a look at the crank; it's completely covered in broken-down oil. When the engine looks like this you need to break it down to see what else is wrong, so the head was the next thing to be taken off.When the engine looks like this you need to break it down to see what else is wrong, so th A pry bar will help you pull off the head without causing major damage. After further inspection of the piston chambers, we found out that a carburetor nut had fallen into the intake and had also taken out two other pistons. We found the pieces in those chambers after they had bounced around the engine.After further inspection of the piston chambers, we found out that a carburetor nut had fa After further inspection of the piston chambers, we found out that a carburetor nut has fallen into the intake and had also taken out two other pistons. We found the pieces in those chambers after they had bounced around the engine.After further inspection of the piston chambers, we found out that a carburetor nut has fa Water had also settled in the chambers causing rust and freezing the pistons. They told us that the car had overheated and just needed a head job.Water had also settled in the chambers causing rust and freezing the pistons. They told us Using a micrometer, we found out that the engine block did not have enough meat on it to be rebuilt one more time.Using a micrometer, we found out that the engine block did not have enough meat on it to b You all know where this engine went after we tore it down and did our autopsy on it. Remember to ask questions when buying a junkyard engine or your engine might wind up as this one did, back in the scrap pile.You all know where this engine went after we tore it down and did our autopsy on it. Remem Enjoyed this Post? 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