How do you spot a replaced engine?

[Redeemedsoul]

I was looking at a Fox for sale, the title has 230,000 miles, but the owner says the engine was replaced, but he doesnt know how many miles are on it.

How do I know if hes telling the truth, and if he is roughly how many miles on the engine?

Thanks

 

[Gearbanger 101]

You could always crawl underneath and see if the engine mount, starter and/or transmission bolts have any wear or gnawling on them from an impact gun. That'll tell you right away that something has been changed.

One thing I'd be warry of is if it was replaced by another HO, or did they just find out out of a Crown Vic or something? In which case the firing order should tell you the story on that one. HO's use the 351W firing order, which is (1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8). The standard 302 like the ones found in all non-HO engines is (1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8).

 

[Strype]

It depends man, my 86 GT was long overdue for a rebuild at 124k, but I've seen some stockers run excellent at 200k. You can look around the water pump, around the heads, etc and see if you can tell that they've been off.

 

[5.0Droptop]

My 93 has 177k on it. It has the original 302 in it. It is clean and looks great and it runs perfect.

Miles mean very little if its been well serviced and not abused. I got mine from the 1st owners

 

[Seanmay1]

Man do a compression check, check for leaks, see if it smokes or makes any funny noises, if all of that looks good its probably a good motor, but u are always taking risks when u buy a used car

 

[Turkey Sammich]

Your sig. needs a diet.

 

[5.0Droptop]

Your sig. needs a diet.

+1 I almost said something but I decided to wait for someone else .

 

[Gearbanger 101]

He has been officially notified. I'll give him a chance to resize before I go breaking out the tar and feathers.

 

[ryan218]

my dads 5.0 is over 237k org motor only thing that has been done is a water pump, alternator and ir eplaced the upper lower and valve covers gaskets cuz they were leaking some.

 

[Seanmay1]

Your sig. needs a diet.

+1 I almost said something but I decided to wait for someone else .

He has been officially notified. I'll give him a chance to resize before I go breaking out the tar and feathers.

I fixed it, sorry

 

[5.0Droptop]

dont let it happen again

or its Tar and Feathers for you!

 

[5.0Droptop]

If I am not mistaken Tmoss did HCI on his 200k mtr. It had perfect compression across the board.

 

[LiquidGT]

One thing I'd be warry of is if it was replaced by another HO, or did they just find out out of a Crown Vic or something? In which case the firing order should tell you the story on that one. HO's use the 351W firing order, which is (1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8). The standard 302 like the ones found in all non-HO engines is (1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8).

I dont think the HO ecu can work with the standard 302 firing order. Unless you change the cam to a HO, which isnt hard to do.

 

[NKau]

Miles mean very little if its been well serviced and not abused.

Yep. Whether or not the motor is original or not really isn't an issue in my mind. If it is running well, feels strong, and makes good oil pressure, you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

I dont think the HO ecu can work with the standard 302 firing order. Unless you change the cam to a HO, which isnt hard to do.

...unless they've changed the ECU, or had it reprogrammed, which is easier still.