So I've got this guy coming down from a few hours away tomorrow to drop off a motor.

This is what he's told me:

It's a D16z6, unknown miles, but he estimates around 200k.
He's bringing me EVERYTHING I need to do the swap. Axels, ecu, im, mounts- everything..
He said it ran real strong before he pulled it out of his car to do a swap. Said it didn't smoke, and doesn't burn too much oil for its age.

I've never bought just a straight up motor without driving it or something, so I'm looking for some advice on what to look for. I'd hate for him to drive 2 hours for nothing, but I'd hate to blow $550 on a junk motor even more..

So is there anything I should keep my eye open for? Should I pull off the VC? Are there questions I should ask?

Also, while I'm here, if it DOES in fact have 200k on it- does anyone know of a nice 200k mile tuneup? I'm thinking timing belt, water pump, flush of all fluids, and replace all filters. He said there's a new alternate, and a few other things, but I'll double check tomorrow.

Thanks guys

 

pull the vc of and check what color is the oil.... if its black i think that mean the motor is no good

 

if the oil is black, i think it'd just be overdue for an oil change.. there may be more to it though, i'll look into it

thank ya

 

i wouldnt pay 550 for a 200k mile d series swap, period.

 

Pulling the valve cover is a good idea. Although i've got a D16Z6 here that I just pulled out of my Si, pulled the valve cover and it looks like crap, caked on burnt oil and sludge, but it ran great and didn't smoke, it was taking oil, but I attribute that to it leaking everywhere more than anything. Also has like 200k on it.

 

If the color of the components is a redish color, that means that the oil wasn't changed as regularly as it should. Check for leaks around the VC as well to make sure nothing is leaking.

 

Try to get a good look down the spark plug hole; obviously remove the spark plug. Check the block and head for cracks. Thats about as much as you can do. Prolly could rotate the crank a couple times if you can keep it still to do so.

 

If the transmision is mounted and the starter is there I would hook up a battery and do a cold compression test.

 

Thanks for the info guys.. This whole idea is just starting to seem kinda sketchy. $500 is quite a bit for a d series with 200k on it. I'm wondering if I should just cough up some extra money and order online from hmotors

 

I wouldn't buy an engine unless I could hear it run OR it came from a company with a warranty. .02

 

mhm^ think ima have to tell em no. so hard to find a decent motor around here

 

if someone is driving to you, a few hours away to sell you a motor that you cant see or hear it run. Either they are hard up for the $ or its a bad deal. Just my .02

 

take off valve cover and make shure oil isent picth black and the rockers and what not

 

i was originally supposed to go up there but i blew a brake line, so he said if i paid for gas he'd come.. but thats a good point.. what am i thinking, spending $550 on a motor that i never heard run

 

If you end up going through and checking it out I would do a leak-down test. That will tell you just about everything you want to know; The only thing it can't do is tell you if the valve seals are leaking. A compression test is pretty much useless, it will only tell you if you need to do a leak-down test; plus you need a starter.

On a side note, I agree that $550 is a lot for 200k miles. I was going to sell my 135k d16z6 swap for $350-400, but I decided to keep it in the car.

 

alright guys, i'm going to call him up and try to talk him a down a bit. if he doesn't budge, i dont want it. i'll let ya know


edit:


yeah, not gunna get it. all he could tell me about it is that it ran well, so i def gotta pass..

keep your eyes open for me, a b16 would be nice =]]

thanks guys, i appreciate all the input

 

to bad u aint closer 2 me cuase i got 1 4 sale a z6 & a y8 both still n cars & both run real strong the z6 has a new timing belt & water pump a tune up ngk wires,v plugs,dizzy cap, rotor button & pc valve. the whole swap w/ everthing 600 & the motor has a few mods

 

I'd kinda forgotten, but I sold a complete Z6 swap a while back (minus axles and shift linkage) for $400, that was complete engine (distributor, intake, exhaust, alternator, starter), 5 speed Si tranny with a brand new ISB and input shaft seal, used clutch, Si engine harness and a stock P28. It was high mileage and smoked a little.

 

i need a d16z6 dizzy...lol

 

autozone?