Short block inspection?

**Bedwards** · 03-03-2012

Hey guys. I tracked down a short block locally for my top swap build. It's from a 1997 GT and it had 200,000 km on it. The guy said the motor was making noise, but he thought it was from the top end. He ended up giving me the engine for free. I span the crank and it didn't seem like anything was binding or anything. I know most people say don't tear apart a bottom end, but could someone recommend some way of inspecting it before I throw it in my car? Could an engine building shop determine if it's good or not?

**QUICKSILVER462** · 03-03-2012

The only way to know for sure is to take it apart and inspect the bearings/journals, check oil clearences.

**Bedwards** · 03-03-2012

Hmmm. Crap. I'm not sure what to do then. Is it worth having an engine shop look at it?

**Bedwards** · 03-03-2012

Would it be much for a shop inspect the bearings? If they find a problem, scrap it, if they determine it's fine, just put it back together as stock.

**matt5112** · 03-03-2012

If you take it apart, you have to reassemble properly, that's going to cost north of a grand.

**Bedwards** · 03-04-2012

Really?

**Brian99SE** · 03-04-2012

id personally go buy a torque wrench, Find the torque specs and find the clearance specs on this forum. Disasseble. Buy some Plastigauge from a local parts store. and go about checking the clearances yourself.

**matt5112** · 03-04-2012

You'd need new bolts for each time.

**MoarkatsINmuhtrailer** · 03-04-2012

If you've never torn apart a bottom end or are skilled in tolerance measuring with that tight of clearances with a bottom end.... DON'T DO IT YOURSELF! You will mess it up.

**Brian99SE** · 03-04-2012

True, Matt, Forgot about that.

**Bedwards** · 03-05-2012

I talked to an engine rebuilder and he told me to just take the bearings off and look at them. As long as I get new bolts, and torque them back on properly, it should be fine. Right?

**QUICKSILVER462** · 03-05-2012

Doing what that engine builder told you is asking for trouble with the bottom end. ZOnce it is dissasembled, it must be checked for true and straightness, roundness, surface finish, and oil clearences checked to the .000XX.