I'm looking into a gsr motor, that had engine problems. Apparently it started knocking when he was driving it, and shut it down. Don't know what exactly is wrong with it, it's not my motor. My question is, if there's no holes coming out the block, the motor cranks over but doesn't fire, would this be a good canidate motor to rebuild? What are some things that could happen that would make a motor useless to rebuild? I know it's hard to diagnose, just trying to find out if it's worth the purchase. thanks

 

It might have a spun bearing or bent rod or something, but if you plan or using forged rods and crank, it should be a usable block assuming mains were not damaged or block is not cracked. Do a compression test at least before you buy it.

 

We tried to turn it over and it cranked, but everytime after that it did less and less. So i don't think that we will be able to get a compression test

 

Is there antifreeze in the oil? If so, probably a blown HG or something cracked

 

warped mains would pretty much make it a useless rebuild