Good idea, the Carfax. I bought it for the car and the story that the car was sold for salvage because it was too expensive to get through inspection appears to be BS. The car got inspected and every single time, from new, it was exempt from emissions inspection. Last record is from 2023. One-owner car, allegedly. Everything else appears to check out. Hmm. I may buy this engine after all.

 

If the emissions inspection was not the reason, then why is it being parted out? This doesn't add up for a low mileage car.

 

The owner sold it to the salvage yard with the emissions excuse. I tried asking if they had more details and the woman asked her boss and said she does not. Short of flying to where the car is and borescoping the engine myself (and maybe starting it?), I am not sure what else I can do. $975 for the engine shipped to my house or my mechanic sounds a heck of a lot more appealing than $10k + shipping for a new one from a dealer.

 

It turns out the car was not sold to salvage due to emissions, it was sold due to frame rot typical of PA. Because it has a clean CARFAX otherwise, a 2008 engine with 20k miles is a steal at $975 including shipping, especially when it comes with a six month warranty. I'm buying it.

 

I lived through many PA winters earlier in my life. The frame rot makes sense.

Sounds like a good deal.

 

The first shop will not install a part they did not sell me due to a company my policy. I informed them my policy is to take my money elsewhere.

 

Many shops won't, it's a can of worms.

My kid does, but only because he does older camper vans, and subaru engine swaps are a common mod (used/rebuilt engines, often customized).

When he installs a used or rebuilt engine or tranny that he did not provide, he makes them sign a disclaimer that there's no warranty on parts, only his labor. Any additional tuning or control wiring to make it work (common) is extra. Otherwise he'd lose his **** doing that kind of work.

 

I just talked with my regular shop, with whom i have a standing agreement to do just that. They will take care of it so i will have the engine shipped to them. I made it clear to him that if there is a problem with the engine his labor charges are guaranteed.

And Subaru engines? Those are even swapped into homebuilt aircraft, especially the EA81 engine.

 

The warranty I received from the recycler stated that the water pump, thermostat, and radiator must be replaced for the warranty to be honored. If any of these components were recently replaced (e.g. radiator), that would also satisfy the condition.

If you're going to replace anything in the engine compartment, the best time to do it is when the engine is out.

 

My trusty gearhead is well aware of this, but since the engine only has 20k I am not expecting to have to replace anything, but rather move accessories from my old engine to my new one.