Is this a good deal?

[VWNate1]

Topic split from THIS THREAD.

I believe I'll be putting this engine aside until I can afford to rebuild it, and buying a used but running one instead. Problem is, the engine I want is all the way up in Ridgecrest. That's a long drive in a borrowed truck just to get an old engine.

No , it isn't .

That's actually a rather nice drive .

I drove to Louisiana right after Katrina to get a tool box gas tank for my Moto and had a wonderful series of adventures going both ways plus I found and bought a Diesel Coupe on the way out , one never knows what treasures the Road Will bring .

[gorms68]

When do you want to leave? I've got the truck ready to travel. And it's a Ford too

[Steve Simmons]

You guys are bad. I'm not 100% on the engine because it's a long way up there. Ok, maybe not in an old sports car but in a borrowed SUV it's boring. Basically what I found is a '49-'53 Ford 239 with a 4-speed transmission attached. The seller claims it came out of another guy's old F-100 that had been sitting by the beach in Cambria for a spell, but the engine has less than 2,000 miles on a full rebuild. He says it needs nothing, has no leaks, and only looks a bit tired because of living by the beach. It's a complete engine ready to drop in. I'm only nervous about how long it's been sitting there, and the weathered look. Here's a photo from his ad, and a couple clips from my correspondence with him.. What do you guys think?

I have a good, not cracked 1953 Ford Flathead 239 engine mated to a 4-speed on the floor transmission for sale. It had been rebuilt, and has at most 2000 miles on the rebuild. all complete, all stock. Trans is good, no leaks, good clutch.

I dont know other than what the original owner told me, which is that he sent in his old engine, and had a new long block sent to him. I would assume that means what it does today, which is crank ground, new main and big end bearings, block magnufluxed and pressure tested, bore job and new pistons and rings, new valves, guides and seats cut/ground, and of course new gaskets/seals. This motor dosent leak a drop. The outside looks tired because the F-100 that the motor came out of sat by the beach in cambria for many years. There is no severe rust, just surface stuff.

[malcolmr18zoy]

Hey Steve,
How much is he asking for it? It's always a risk to buy a used engine, because you can only see the out side. I would say, if the price is reasonable, go there,and take a battery and crank it. Test the compression, maybe even start it. I'll go with you , if you want. There's a great French restaurant in Ridgecrest, we could buy the engine, and eat fine French food.
Malcolm

[gorms68]

Malcom is right. You'll need to inspect it to know for sure and even then you will not be 100% sure. I've also got a lift that will fit in the back of the truck if needed. Keep us posted on what you want to do.

[Steve Simmons]

The price is right, $550 for everything, which is about what most people are asking for an engine that needs to be rebuilt. Plus it's an 8ba engine which is the later, more powerful one. Not as powerful as the CM I have now, but at least this one supposedly runs.

This is starting to sound like a Vintage Motoring "everyone in the truck" road trip.

There is another engine for sale locally here in LA, but I'm less comfortable with it. The guy says it is a running engine that he bought from a friend just because he wanted the cylinder heads. He took them, and put a set of stock heads on this engine but obviously hasn't run it since. He also said he has no idea if the heads he put on are good. Hmmm... He really wants it gone and came down from $500 to $350. Here's his ad: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/pt ... 47365.html

I'd feel most comfortable running the engine I have, but I've decided it needs to come down to the block, get magnafluxed and pressure tested, and then be built back up. The parts alone would probably run $1300. I'd spend that for a fully rebuilt engine, but I can't do the machining and building myself so there's another $1000 in labor. Can't do that.

[gorms68]

Offer him $400

[malcolmr18zoy]

I'd say it sounds like a deal. Check it out, and make an offer. Offer him low, you can always increase your offer if he says no.
Malcolm

[VWNate1]

It's not fair to post a tiny fuzzy picture and ask us to look at it.....

It certainly looks better than that CL B.S. deal ~ he shows it with the heads on then one pic of buggered cylinder with crusty junk in it........

Ridgecrest it is ! .

I agree , a modern SUV won't do , let's take my '49 Chevy 3100 , it's been to Death Valley many times , never a hiccup yet .

Pay close attention to what Malcom says ~ both of us do this on a regular basis (or at least used to) and the drill is spot on .

I'd grind him on the price anyways as no one wants a Flathead that's 200 miles from anywhere....

[Steve Simmons]

How many people will your old Chevy hold? We're up to what, four now? LOL!

[VWNate1]

Three as long as not one fatter than I am

Malcom is a skinny guy but really , it's best with only two in the cab and I don't allow passengers in the bed .



The good news is : the factory fitted 2/60 air conditioning still works great !