buying an engine

20th January 2013, 03:07

In the next couple of weeks i will be buying a new engine for my vtr. I've never had to buy an engine before, obviously i wont have the opportunity to see it running, is there anything to look out for?
i don't want to end up with another fudged lump on my hands. I am going to do a cam belt, water pump, head gasket, valve stem seals and everything before i put the engine in anyway purely because it will be easier and for peace of mind.
was just wondering if anyone has any tips or advice when buying an engine

also...just an idea, if i was to get a 3 plug loom engine and ecu, could i look what wires go where on each loom and change the plug over easily enough so a 3 plug engine loom would plug into my single plug interior loom? just a thought.

20th January 2013, 09:13

You cNt check much more than the condition of the spark plugs, and the colour.
Engine oil, perhaps (if ure drain it before u buy it..)

Leaks around the cylinder head, how does the oil filter look.. Old and rusty?

overall condition cleaned or dirty?

thats what i would had looked for if you cant start the Engine..

21st January 2013, 15:37

take a torch to check for any visible external cracks and (i assume the fluids will be drained) take the sump off and have a good look to see if there's any holes in the pistons from underneath.

Also make sure it rotates easily (there will be some resistance from the belt pulleys). Rotate the engine a few cycles to check if the valves are opening correctly. you should also hear a sucking noise from the bottom end when rotating the engine suggesting good piston rings. (don't take this as gospel but its worked fine for me when buying an engine)

Also if you can unbolt each con rods bottom end and check the bearing for staining. if there is a burnt oil on these bearings this typically suggests the engines suffered oil starvation at some point!

+ what BIM said about plugs

21st January 2013, 15:50

I wouldnt bother with a 3 plug engine and loom, more hassle than its worth swapping them over.
Basically all the above too, or at least get a VTR engine from here that you know is a good one

21st January 2013, 16:06

thanks for the replies everyone

don't think i fancy pulling apart an engine what isn't mine though

so i suppose the only other thing to do is check the usual stuff like the plugs etc.

would have loved to do an s conversion, cant really afford to though

and would never afford to declare it on insurance and don't want to drive without doing that. how much would i expect to pay roughly for a decent single plug vtr lump (silver top) the prices seem to vary so much

21st January 2013, 16:30

Put a black top in, the 90bhp silvertop has all the drawbacks but none of the good points imo

21st January 2013, 16:34

wouldn't i then need to get a loom aswell though? because of the side mounted coil pack and what ever else is different, im not sure. or could i put my coil pack on? whats so much better about them anyway? i heard something about stronger valve springs so it'd be better for a cam? but im not planning to do anything like that to it anyway

21st January 2013, 16:37

If you aren't bothered about modding it then I dont suppose it matters, but yes the blacktop has harder valve springs.
All the single plug silvertop stuff fits to the black top no problem

21st January 2013, 16:41

Nope no plans to do any engine mods

i think i would go for either engine tbh, as long as its reasonably priced, low enough milage and looked after its good enough for me.
any ideas on rough prices? as some seem to go for 50 quid, other seem to go for 150 lol, is it better to aim somewhere between that? not to fussed about it have manifolds, injectors etc with it as i have all that, but would be nice for spares

lol

21st January 2013, 16:44

hard to say really, a 50 quid one from here might be better than a 150 quid one from ebay. Luck basically

21st January 2013, 16:47

i'll probably try my best to get one off here then

cheers for the help