Buying a used motor?

Lt.Dan · Jan 5, 2016

Hey guys, im looking into buying a used motor from a guy on craigslist, parting out a 97 f250, says it has 190,000 miles on it.

So i call him, and he has already sold the trans and the motor is already out. Parting it out as the tags were too expensive for him, says it has good compression, but im not sure how to test it out of the truck?

Hes asking $800 for the motor, complete turbo to oil pan. Good deal?

Thanks guys,
Daniel

superpsd · Jan 5, 2016

800 sounds ok if the compression is good. Hook up some batteries to the starter and crank it over and check compression.

Lt.Dan · Jan 5, 2016

Im not sure if its on a stand or not, and i dont own a compression tester either... Im curious if a leak down test will work good? I can bring some tools and i think that would be pretty easy.

superpsd · Jan 6, 2016

Or just roll the dice and buy it. I would still want to do a compression check before I take the time to drop it in the truck. Have you called any wrecking yards to see what the going price is on a 7.3? Most yards will at least warranty the engine for 30 days and they comp check them and sometimes write the results on the valve covers.

zilla68 · Jan 6, 2016

just remember this tip

EVERYONES MOTOR was in great condition, perfect compression, no leaks when you can't hear it run or test anything about it!!!!

Lt.Dan · Jan 7, 2016

Im debating on buying it anyways, i can probably use the parts or sell parts off of it and make atleast most of my money back if i have to.

elrodalexander73 · Jan 7, 2016

Try to find a guy who is selling one as a "core", I missed out on one complete from HPOP to oil pan for 500 bucks, forged motor out of a van with 375,000 miles on it. They're out there, pull the dip stick and smell the oil, if it smells like fuel, coolant, the oil is milky, something out of the ordinary walk away... I always think it's hilarious how someone would part out a perfectly good looking "running" truck, pull the engine and say oh there was nothing wrong... Nobody in their right mind cuts up a 7.3 truck with no problems, they still have too much market value with even 300,000 miles on them..

1stock13 · Jan 7, 2016

elrodalexander73 said:
Try to find a guy who is selling one as a "core", I missed out on one complete from HPOP to oil pan for 500 bucks, forged motor out of a van with 375,000 miles on it. They're out there, pull the dip stick and smell the oil, if it smells like fuel, coolant, the oil is milky, something out of the ordinary walk away... I always think it's hilarious how someone would part out a perfectly good looking "running" truck, pull the engine and say oh there was nothing wrong... Nobody in their right mind cuts up a 7.3 truck with no problems, they still have too much market value with even 300,000 miles on them..

guy never said it wasn't wrecked, or had a transmission issue, or maybe the seller just bought it for parts himself. one of those things could really bring the price of a 7.3 down. But like you're saying, parting out a perfectly good running driving truck isn't realty normal, plus the issue of having to get of everything that didn't sell...

Lt.Dan · Jan 8, 2016

There is a "core" engine for sale not too far from me, for $500. But i dont even need a "complete" motor persay, just a long block, and i can put all of my parts on it.

EDIT: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/5330139088.html

Here it is.

EDIT2: I got ahold of him, and he says it was in his truck, and it wouldn't pull his 5th wheel like it should, ended up having "3 dead cylinders" he says, so he bought another motor and swapped it in.