my buddy just picked up a shell with a blown motor due to the previous owner ran out of oil. he was wondering how to tell if he needed just a short block only or if he need to get a new block with a new head. any help would be greatly appriciated.

 

have it checked out by a machine shop

 

disassemble it and look at everything. It depends on how long it ran without oil pressure and so on. If the camshaft, bearings and everything else in the head is scarred up, you can rebuild it, or just buy a new head.

 

Take off the head take the valves/springs/retainers/cams all apart and check everything for metal shards in it, if anythings been chipped or abnormal groves worn into anything. The bottom end probably shredded up a connecting rod bearing so i'd say rebuild the bottom end or get a used bottom end. Better off getting a new motor i'd say..

 

I lost oil pressure in my last motor, but it only ran for a few seconds after losing pressure, but everything turned out alright on the top end...then again it is hard for a motor with a chunk of girdle missing to run for more than a few seconds. lol

 

I would get a used short block just to be safe. I recently bought a USDM D16Y7 from NY Block Exchange with 66k for $550 tested and delivered, thought it was a good deal.

 

hmmmm... hopefully he doesnt need a new head... thanks for all the input you guys!