Cheap engine block

[HighSierra86]

So i have a line on a "506" engine for cheap. $250. Owner said they used two pistons out of the motor for another truck. Only other parts missing are the timing chain and cover and the IP. Turbo, manifolds, and heads are all there. Hopefully i can get time to go and take a look this weekend. Now what i dont want to be buying a boat anchor here....so does anyone have any quick suggestions of what to look for in the block?

 

[ak diesel driver]

Without dropping the pan it's hard to tell

 

[bk95td]

Bring a can of brake cleaner,rags,a bright light,and a magnifying glass. Spray the main web area down with the brake cleaner. Wipe dry with the rags. Inspect the main webs with the bright light and magnifying glass. Be shure to look all the way out to the oil pan rail. My 6.2 bus engine was cracked the whole length of the block out by the oil pan rail. The most common place for cracks is angleing out from the main cap bolts at the 3 center main webs.

 

[HighSierra86]

Bring a can of brake cleaner,rags,a bright light,and a magnifying glass. Spray the main web area down with the brake cleaner. Wipe dry with the rags. Inspect the main webs with the bright light and magnifying glass. Be shure to look all the way out to the oil pan rail. My 6.2 bus engine was cracked the whole length of the block out by the oil pan rail. The most common place for cracks is angleing out from the main cap bolts at the 3 center main webs.

alrighty, thanks for the tips. Im thinking that if i can get the motor this cheap, i can still sell the gm turbo and have myself a block for next to nothing! This way ill have a bare block to start my project motor

 

[bk95td]

I might be interested in the turbo if it's a gm8 in good condition and the price is right or trade for other parts?

 

[HighSierra86]

I might be interested in the turbo if it's a gm8 in good condition and the price is right or trade for other parts?

Yea i will be willing to work out a deal with you if it is any good. I dont want to give away any garbage ya know. In that case it will just sit in a box in the barn until my kids throw it away

 

[davo727]

Yeah, what he said.

Also maybe take some scotchbrite to clean those main webs, along with your rags, brake cleaner, bright light and magnifying glass.

 

[bobbiemartin]

They will also crack at the top of #8 cylinder.
http://flashoffroad.com/Diesel/No8Cyl/CrackedBlock.htm

 

[HighSierra86]

Well went and took a look yesterday. A quick overview showed no visable block cracks, but i was a bit concerned of the wired off wastegate. who knows what boost numbers it was running and for how long. Owner couldnt tell me mileage, and the gm4 turbo was quite worn out. So no hope of selling that as a usable replacement turbo. I still might consider the lot of parts for a cheaper price, so i guess i will just wait a while and see if he sells it or not.

 

[Matt Bachand]

Well went and took a look yesterday. A quick overview showed no visable block cracks, but i was a bit concerned of the wired off wastegate. who knows what boost numbers it was running and for how long. Owner couldnt tell me mileage, and the gm4 turbo was quite worn out. So no hope of selling that as a usable replacement turbo. I still might consider the lot of parts for a cheaper price, so i guess i will just wait a while and see if he sells it or not.

Believe TD ran a while and towed with his WG wired that way with no ill effects.

 

[HighSierra86]

Believe TD ran a while and towed with his WG wired that way with no ill effects.

I had mine wired for a while too after my vac pump crapped out. But most people dont have a boost guage to watch pressures.

Wasnt a deciding factor of not buying it, just a note

 

[WarWagon]

Believe TD ran a while and towed with his WG wired that way with no ill effects.

14 PSI is max for the turbo. Otherwise you go off the ramp and the turbo is a heater. EGT's go through the roof. This is why the turbo is shot.