thinking about buying a rebuilt V6, advice?

My wife and I are driving down to St. George this weekend to possibly purchase a rebuilt early odd fire V6. The owner says that it has about 20,xxx miles on it since rebuild. he only wants 200 dollars, for the engine and stand, and from the looks of it, the carb, intake, HEI, alternator would be worth the purchase alone. Cosmetically, it looks really clean, but its on an engine stand, no way for me to start it up or anything. It has been covered in this guys garage for almost 2yrs...My V6 needs quite a bit of work..think that the day that I drove it to get the transmission looked at, I blew a head gasket (lots and lots of white smoke) thought that I would buy this one, swap it in (should be a simple swap since they are the same,and put the original on the stand to rebuild or sell later. So...I was wondering, if this engine has been sitting for over a year, is that going to cause any problems? Not sure if it has any oil in it, but Is there anything I should look at in particular when looking at the engine before I buy it? I don't know, it would be a pain to buy it, do the swap only to find out the engine is seized or something. Thanks for your help as always,

Brian

 

Can you turn it at all? Even if it just rocks a little that's a good sign.

Honestly though, if it looks that good on the outside there's probably a very small chance it's seized, it's more likely it's got a bad head gasket, low oil pressure, a knock, or something like that.

For 200 and all those other parts and the stand it's probably a good investment.

 

Thanks for the reply. I haven't seen the engine in person yet. Its about 2.5 hr away, but the pics look good. I was going to go and look at it tomorrow/sun, if it seems good, I will put it in the back of my truck and bring it home . The guy said it ran great when pulled. It was his brothers who sold his "project" and decided to keep the engine. its been taking up space in his garage for some time now and says he just wants to get rid of it... Just seems cheap for a rebuilt..Guess I should assume the worst for now and be surprised when it starts right up Any signs I can look out for? thanks!

Brian

 

if it doesn't start you'll still come out ahead, an engine stand, carb, rebuildable block and heads, HEI, etc... are worth 200.

 

sorry guys..this is going to sound dumb, but what are the visual differences between an even fire and an odd fire buick V6? Since this guy doesn't really know very much about what he is selling, I want to make sure that it is an odd fire, it looks like it has different valve covers than mine

 

here is an early poor cell phone picture of the engine (he cleaned the dust off and took a few better pics for me, they look much better, but I don't have them with me right now) Looks like it has the later valve cover style but he insist that it is a 225...what do you think?

 

just got the numbers, it is:

25506818


1981-79 231 3.8 3.80 3.40 V6, Even-Fire, Crank may have 5/8" or 3/4" Pulley Bolt Hole

So...I guess it is an even fire? Would it be better to rebuild my 225 or swap out for this motor? It has a flywheel, would it work with my current clutch or would I need to re balance mine? will the 225 BH out of mine bolt up to this guy? would my exhaust manifolds bolt up? What would you do, rebuild odd, or go to the even? Any real benifit to either? Man, I am glad I started this thread, I wouldn't have known what I was getting into

 

Hmm... if it's not the same as your engine I think sparky is right. If it was a 225 and you ended up rebuilding yours it may help to have the second in case you need a part or two, but with a 231 if it doesn't run you have to engines that need rebuilds.

 

Thanks Guys, I really apreciate your help! I will pass on the engine, unless he offers to give it to me for free

Brian

 

As far as an inspection I would take a 1/2" breaker bar and a long handel ratchet and sockets. put the socket on the front pulley bolt and try to rotate the crank. If it can't be rotated by hand it is probably locked up. This could be relatively minor or could be a major indicator. Also do visual inspection. Obviously if there is a hole in the block you have a thrown rod but also look for indications the head gaskets are leaking. Check the oil if it hasn't been drained, if there is water in the oil it will be milky. This is only a start you really don't know what you have until you get it torn down. Personally since this is an even fire I would think you could find something equivalent closer to home.

 

Larry, If it were Me, I would go buy this engine. I would take it home put some oil in the cylinders, wait a few days and see if it will turn over with the afore mentioned bar. I will bet you that this engine will run. Being as we are in a relatively dry part of the country, and it was stored inside, it is probably just fine. If it turns, I would install it in my Jeep and fire it up. If it does not run, you are only out the time to install it, you were going to pull the other one anyway! Now sell it for parts or part it out. Do this if it does not turn over also. If it does run you are driving the Jeep while you rebuild the original engine. Then you can take your time to rebuild/modify the odd fire how you want it done. When you have that done you can swap them out and sell this even fire engine as a running engine. You would even be able to let the buyer drive it around the block. Plus you get to keep the stand. I think that you would at least break even. Matt W.
PS. If you choose to not buy this engine please give me his phone #. Maybe he and I can get together.