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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

How do you spot a replaced engine?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Redeemedsoul
  • Start date Start date Jan 28, 2008

Redeemedsoul

New Member
Sep 4, 2005
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Jan 28, 2008
#1
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #1
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

Straight Outta Locash
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Aug 10, 2002
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Jan 28, 2008
#2
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #2
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

Cuthbert catcher
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May 11, 1999
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104
Huntsvegas, AL
Jan 28, 2008
#3
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #3
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

...all those nights we shared, and you're a dude??
Special Agent Mukity-Muck Whats in Charge Round Here
May 15, 2002
1,785
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Indiana
Jan 28, 2008
#4
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #4
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
 
S

Seanmay1

New Member
Jan 17, 2008
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Conyers, GA
Jan 28, 2008
#5
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #5
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

I can't fap normal. I cracked a rib, then my ankle
Jul 12, 2006
0
59
154
Jan 28, 2008
#6
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #6
Your sig. needs a diet.
 

5.0Droptop

...all those nights we shared, and you're a dude??
Special Agent Mukity-Muck Whats in Charge Round Here
May 15, 2002
1,785
1,130
233
Indiana
Jan 28, 2008
#7
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #7
Turkey Sammich said:
Your sig. needs a diet.
Click to expand...

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

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
Jan 28, 2008
#8
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #8
He has been officially notified. I'll give him a chance to resize before I go breaking out the tar and feathers.
 

ryan218

In just 10 years, I'll be old enough to drive!!!!
Dec 28, 2005
0
1
38
columbus ohio
Jan 28, 2008
#9
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #9
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.
 
S

Seanmay1

New Member
Jan 17, 2008
47
0
0
Conyers, GA
Jan 28, 2008
#10
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #10
Turkey Sammich said:
Your sig. needs a diet.
Click to expand...
5.0Droptop said:
+1 I almost said something but I decided to wait for someone else .
Click to expand...
Gearbanger 101 said:
He has been officially notified. I'll give him a chance to resize before I go breaking out the tar and feathers.
Click to expand...

I fixed it, sorry
 

5.0Droptop

...all those nights we shared, and you're a dude??
Special Agent Mukity-Muck Whats in Charge Round Here
May 15, 2002
1,785
1,130
233
Indiana
Jan 28, 2008
#11
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #11
dont let it happen again

or its Tar and Feathers for you!
 

5.0Droptop

...all those nights we shared, and you're a dude??
Special Agent Mukity-Muck Whats in Charge Round Here
May 15, 2002
1,785
1,130
233
Indiana
Jan 28, 2008
#12
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #12
If I am not mistaken Tmoss did HCI on his 200k mtr. It had perfect compression across the board.
 

LiquidGT

Member
Oct 8, 2007
368
0
16
Near STL hell
Jan 28, 2008
#13
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #13
Gearbanger 101 said:
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).
Click to expand...

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

Founding Member
Dec 15, 2001
1,346
0
37
Jefferson, WI
Jan 28, 2008
#14
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #14
5.0Droptop said:
Miles mean very little if its been well serviced and not abused.
Click to expand...

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

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
Jan 28, 2008
#15
  • Jan 28, 2008
  • #15
LiquidGT said:
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.
Click to expand...
...unless they've changed the ECU, or had it reprogrammed, which is easier still.
 
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