So I located an engine and tranny.. it's a 5.9L R/T w/ tranny.. $700.. good condition, built (awaiting particulars to include miles ect..)

I'm guessing this thing is ready to go based on the advert, but it's hard to say just yet.. I'm going to move fast on it I'm thinking..

what should I be looking for on an engine I can't hear run? I reckon I could pull the intake and check out the valley, pull the covers and look at the valve springs, look at the condition of the oil and things like this, but that is about the equiv of kicking the tires, no?

I've never bought a used engine.. nor tranny for that matter.. any tricks to this?

btw- I'll be having a freshly rebuilt tranny for sale soon.. if'n you drive a 2wd, let me know! (mine is a 4wd.. errrr...)

oh, it's out of a Dakota R/T I should add...

 

what are you planning on doing with the engine? just dropping it in, or is it coming apart?

 

it's 'sposed to be a fresh rebuild.. I'll check it out and see.. I WILL cam it.. I just don't know enough about it right now to say properly... I've never bought an engine sans the rest of the vehicle, and was wondering on what to key off of while looking at it..

hell, the heads alone are worth what the guy is asking..

 

so its just a rebuild nothing built ?? if it were me even being stock i would mine is at 146xxx and sounds like **** .. i would however swap my airgap and rollor rockers over because there not going to get weared out plus i barly have any miles on them

 

turn it over by hand/braker bar, so u know it not locked up

take a look at the push rods and lifter top

you will also able to see the cam and it wear

 

it's just a rebuild from what I understand.. but I just got confirmation that 'kota R/T heads are just run of the mill 5.9L Magnum heads.. nuthin' special at all..

If I go this route, I'm definitely going to cam it.. hard core.. the gears should keep me in the higher RPM ranges, which suites the FI, so, I'm thinking sausage or 210x type cam.. or, more specifically, something in between those two.. problem is: I don't know a dang thing about cams.. I just want idle to 4kRPM power range, and built for torque..

I'm a little excited, but I have my hand on the rip-cord too.. this seems too good to be true..

 

Just have a close look at it. Especially if you can see the edges of the head gasket. They should look nice and clean, and have uniform color. (whatever color they happen to be.)

Have a close look at the block as well, and the quality of the paint job. (if it's painted.) A properly prepared block will have NO dirt on it. Or grease, or anything else of that nature. (maybe a light coat of oil if it is unpainted.)

Check the freeze plugs. Brass, or steel? If they are steel, knock one out, and have a look at the cylinder walls, they might have a bit of surface rust, but, if it is grody and nasty in there..... suspect it wasn't properly done, and deduct from the price accordingly.

Has the engine ever been ran??

 

thanks guys...

I don't know if it's been ran at all.. I don't know if this guy means 'fresh rebuild 5k miles ago' or if he never even put oil in it..

there is some really good info here.. yes- the gaskets.. I should have thought of that, but likely never would have on my own.. turning the engine over with a breaker bar- yes.. great idea- and knock out a freeze plug is something I would never have thunk of either!!! cool..

the tranny that comes with it will be put up for sale too... i can't use a two wheel drive tranny.. I hope to recover a lot of the cost of the engine with it..

 

Just hope that the trans works..... and whomever you sell it to is happy with it.... He won't separate the engine and trans?

 

I've bombarded the dude with questions.. i'm waiting for answers now.. I'll try to get a look at it tomorrow..

if he'll split the two I'll certainly do it.. but that being said, I know a guy who will rebuild it for $300 out of the truck if worse comes to worse.. I can also have him check it out too.. I was hoping to get $300~$400 out of the tranny all buy itself.. I know, I know, greedy aren't I?