Been going back and forth with a guy on a '04 with a "blown" engine, doesn't run. Without going into details, he finally caved in and we came to a price we could both agree on. $600

Got it home today and figured I would put some juice to it and see what happens.



Well, it lit up and I got to see how many miles were on it. Was right about where the guy told me!



Then decided to turn the key!! WAIT FOR IT, ...... Nothing! some clicks and that was it.

Looked around and saw nothing obvious. Shook around some wires and connectors and banged around the starter.

Got back in, and BAM! It started. Actually idles!



Put in gear and drove it up and down the drive way! Only ran it for about 3 minutes. No power steering and 3 amigos, but a running truck when I was expecting to have just a shell!

So I was expecting to go straight to pulling the engine and drop in a Cannibal v8, but now....... What should I do? What do I check to see what damage is done to the engine?

Have to admit it put a smile on my face as I am more than pleasantly surprised!

 

I would first run a combustion leak test on it to see if the head gaskets are OK. Then run a compression test on it. Do the ABS fix for the 3 amigos to start.

 

Score!

 

The guy said it overheated and then died. They could not restart it after that!

I have a compression tester that I use for the dirt bikes. Is running a compression test done pretty much the same way?

Also, do those combustion leak test with the blue fluid at the auto parts stores really work?

 

Yes they really work. Lisle makes a good one for around 50 bucks. I'm guessing what ever you banged on helped. Good news is the engine is not seized. I wonder how many times the Head Gaskets have been replaced. Worst case scenario is you have a cracked block...but if you were going into this thinking you were going to drop another engine in it any your at no loss.

 

Don't have any issue replacing head gaskets and having the heads re-worked. Just wouldn't want to waste the time if the block is toast or a sleeve is dropped.

I'll get that combustion leak tester. Probably a good investment given my new hobby!

Once the heads are off, I am sure there are some measurements I can take to check the sleeves, but is there any other things to check to make sure I am not wasting time and money on a top end?

 

Only way to really test the block for crack is to pressure test it. I don't know if it can be done in the truck or not.

 

I would hook an Ultra gauge to it, fill fluids, and just drive it around. Maybe change oil and pull the plugs, try to get a sense of what state it is in. Stop at ever increasing intervals to check fluid levels, nothing is mixing with anything else etc.

Rather jealous. Well played.

 

Going to have to get the power steering going to drive test it

 

Sweet find. It looks like a nice truck, and at that price you can't go wrong even if you add a new Cannibal 4.6.