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What To Look For When Buying Used Engine?

Pursell1911

Pursell1911

New member
My engine is shot, or at least to me it is, per my skill level. So I'm looking to buy a new to me engine for my 2006 GT. All I'm really seeing for a reasonable price are the Series II engines, which is fine as I can install my LIM and blower and that makes it series III? I was given some advice from a trusted source on this forum about what to look for in a used engine, but wanted to get some other people's input as well. I was told to look at the oil, and to look under the valve covers to check the condition of the upper parts. I was also told that if the engine is already pulled to hook a battery up to the starter to ensure it cranks? Also to check compression. I'm very paranoid that someone will try to sell me an engine that doesn't run (if already pulled), or that something is wrong with it. I understand this is somewhat of a gamble, but am welcome to any and all suggestions / tips.

Thanks guys!
 


Along with checking the oil, make sure (if engine has been removed from car) it has been stored in a place where rain water cannot enter the engine. Check for debris in vital engine openings like throttle body, oil filler cap, water necks, ect.
 
First off.. I forget but think that's NA?

If so..
Lucernes used the engine and around here are uber cheap S3 motors, typically lower miles and old people don't abuse them.

You could turn a motor by hand, no need to use a starter. But then..I've bought 100's of motors from yards and only gotten one that was bad.

car-part lists a bunch in KY.. not sure it's near you though
 
I've been dealing with people on CL, when you say yards, do you mean salvage yards like Pull A Part? To answer your first question, nope, not NA.
 


I found an L26 engine off a 2007 Buick Lucerne for cheap. Can I just add my LIM, SC, and TB to that L26, or is that a bad idea? Need some direction on what to buy, I would like to add the previously mentioned stuff, but now am finding out compression is different between the L26 and L32. Not sure what that means at the end of the day with me wanting to put L32 parts on L26.
 
Compression lower or higher? If it's lower, of course you'll be fine. Higher depends how much higher.

You can use different gaskets to change it a tiny bit, but that's pretty old school. Don't even know if it'll work on a 3800..
 
l26/l36 are both high compression na engines. you would be doing a bottom swap if you used your heads and lim and sc. you would then need headers for sure.

to make things easy on your self and try to keep costs down, look for a l67 or a l32. this way you dont need to do anything but install it. and change a few gaskets of course.
 
ok thanks Scotty. So I am just asking for trouble if I buy the NA engine without headers? I will keep searching around. He only wanted 250 for the engine.
 
unless you want to run a na engine as is lol it can be done, just needs to be tuned for it. other wise, you need headers and add head gaskets and new head bolts to the build list of parts. top swaps will work with your gtp pcm, but a tune will help.
 


Headers won't do anything. You are going to need to cam, intercool, or run e85 on a l26. Or you will have kr problems.
 
Yeah, it's cheaper in the long run if you aren't trying to make a bunch of power with the m90. You'll end up sticking about $1000 more into the l26 just so it's reliable.
 


GTPpower said:
Lol. Have you forgotten how difficult it is to run kr free on your own car? Kr king.
Click to expand...
have you forgot how much of an asshole you are? you know nothing pos? cause i have not...i like this, sh-it all over you and nothing happens.....drop dead moron....ahh that feels soooo good. hey dont install headers, run no timing, its fine....GTPpower quotes are so much fun.........
 
Scottydoggs said:
have you forgot how much of an asshole you are? you know nothing pos? cause i have not...i like this, sh-it all over you and nothing happens.....drop dead moron....ahh that feels soooo good. hey dont install headers, run no timing, its fine....GTPpower quotes are so much fun.........
Click to expand...

Maybe someday you'll have some experience with these cars, and you'll actually be able to figure out what mods cause them to go fast, and which ones waste money.
 
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