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Junk Yard Explorer Engine.. Filthy..

  • Thread starter Thread starter TRIBUNAL
  • Start date Start date Sep 19, 2016
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TRIBUNAL

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Jun 12, 2005
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#1
  • Sep 19, 2016
  • #1
So after pulling my last mustang engine apart and finding rust and ridge wear in the cylinders I decided to take the advice many people on here gave me and I bought a used Explorer Engine from a junk yard.
Supposedly it has 117k miles out of a 97.5 with the 4 bar gt40P heads but it was at another location. He said it had only been there 50 days and they drove it a bit, ran well. The other engines he had around 100k, were there for over a year. I made a $100 deposit and got the vin number on the receipt. I used e-verify without paying for it to do an initial search and it came back the 187kmiles estimated, I'm not sure what it used to calculate that, but I decided to do a free trial for $2.97 or something. I then did a search that didn't return any mileage so I wasted my money. Carfax wanted like $30 I think and I just couldn't justify it, perhaps a mistake.
I went to the yard to see the vehicle it was being removed from to see if maybe I could see the mileage. Of course the instrument cluster was removed which made this even more suspicious....

I only paid $250 for the engine which was about 150-300 less than every other place I called.

Today I pulled the intake and pass valve cover off. I noticed the water passages are heavily rusted which I was reading can be fixed with some oxalic acid flush? The push rods are even more coated with carbon/sludge than my other engine. Everything seemed to be coated with a layer of thick sludge to be honest. Even the oil, when I removed it, seemed thick, but at least it wasn't a milkshake. Anyway I hope to removed the oil pan tomorrow and I'm more than a bit concerned about what I may find. Assuming I don't find anything catastrophic, What should I do, within reason, to get this engine cleaned before I put it in? Also is there anything I should do to the engine for any reason before I put it in?
I know I need to get a balancer and I have the flywheel, distributor, timing cover, etc...

Thanks guys, I'll post pics and updates tomorrow after I get the oil pan off.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
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Massachusetts
Sep 19, 2016
#2
  • Sep 19, 2016
  • #2
Honestly. Any junkyard engine I've pulled apart has been coated with that orange sludge. It's condensation and residues from the oil forming from sitting. Why I recommend anytime you park an engine for a while, you should change the oil.

Clean it up, and it will start to look better. Degreaser, scrub brush, and just go to town.

As for the 185k miles. A 1997.5 is 18.5 years old. So if you estimate 10k miles a year, you get 185k.


Sent from my big ass iPhone 6 using Tapatalk
 
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RaggedGT

Been here over a DECADE and still no CT
Mod Dude
Jul 20, 2014
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Taylorsville ky
Sep 19, 2016
#3
  • Sep 19, 2016
  • #3
Several cans of degreaser- I like the kind that foams-a few stiff bristled brushes-big box of blue towels-different sized scrapers and patience will clean it up lol
Others will chime in with more/better recomendations. But here's a few more from me..lol.
I'd pull the intake,valve covers and oil pan. inspect everything and replace anything questionable. I'd replace the oil pump, the timing chain,water pump , balancer, rear main seal and of course the gaskets on the parts you removed

I'll tag a couple of people that still talk to me,and a couple that don't lol

@Boosted92LX @Davedacarpainter
@FoxMustangLvr @hoopty5.0
 
T

TRIBUNAL

Active Member
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#4
  • Sep 19, 2016
  • #4
thanks guys making me feel better already
i wish i had the cash to replace the valve springs too... well see..
 

Davedacarpainter

Chicks can make things hard if they’re inspired...
SN Certified Technician
Nov 28, 2015
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Discordia
Sep 19, 2016
#5
  • Sep 19, 2016
  • #5
I agree with Mike and Chris. Amsoil sells a sludge remover that wouldn't be a bad idea after you have it hooked up,and running. It requires another oil change after it's had a chance to run through a warmed up engine, but big deal.

My little turd hasn't run in fifteen years, but it spins over easily, so....new oil to get it running, then the amsoil additive, then another oil change for me.

Cleaning the outside? Gunk has some very good engine cleaners. Different level of strength for filthiness of the engine. That with a power washer, at least you'll see everything afterwards.
 
Reactions: RaggedGT

Boosted92LX

It's only an inch or two. What's the big deal?
15 Year Member
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Sep 19, 2016
#6
  • Sep 19, 2016
  • #6
Purple power. There is no substitute.
 
Reactions: dr hook, A5literMan, a91what and 4 others

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
SN Certified Technician
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#7
  • Sep 19, 2016
  • #7
If you have an air compressor Harbor Freight sells a cheap siphon style pressure sprayer. That thing works wonders when using a 50/50 mix water/purple power. Its not as powerful as a pressure washer but gets the job done. Its just a trigger with a nozzle and a clear hose....simple and cheap.

Gunk gets a thumbs up as well. I use that at the coin car washes. They may hate me for it but it works [emoji106]
 
Reactions: RaggedGT

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
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Sep 19, 2016
#8
  • Sep 19, 2016
  • #8
Drain the oil and remove the filter. pou a few quarts of cheapo oil and a bottle of MMO into it- in the lifter valley, heads, etc and turn the motor over by hand.. pull the pan off and spray the crank, rods piston cylinders down with it.. Purple power the outsidfe of te motor.
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
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Sep 19, 2016
#9
  • Sep 19, 2016
  • #9
I've pulled several of these. One had sludge so thick that it looked like an alien life form. Cross hatch and cylinder wear looked good though so after a thorough cleaning everything was as you would expect. Like mentioned. Clean it up. Button everything back together and enjoy.
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
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Sep 19, 2016
#10
  • Sep 19, 2016
  • #10
stykthyn said:
I've pulled several of these. One had sludge so thick that it looked like an alien life form. Cross hatch and cylinder wear looked good though so after a thorough cleaning everything was as you would expect. Like mentioned. Clean it up. Button everything back together and enjoy.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good Saturday night in Miami...lol
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
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Sep 19, 2016
#11
  • Sep 19, 2016
  • #11
mikestang63 said:
Sounds like a good Saturday night in Miami...lol
Click to expand...
Mike I swear this stuff was crawling across my garage floor.
View: https://youtu.be/V3wtVFR3Vw8
 
Reactions: A5literMan, mikestang63 and Davedacarpainter
T

TRIBUNAL

Active Member
Jun 12, 2005
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Sep 19, 2016
#12
  • Sep 19, 2016
  • #12
haha sounds like a plan, and yes I do have a compressor now so I'll give that a try.
 
T

TRIBUNAL

Active Member
Jun 12, 2005
103
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Sep 19, 2016
#13
  • Sep 19, 2016
  • #13
oh, should I remove the heads?
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
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gainesville
Sep 19, 2016
#14
  • Sep 19, 2016
  • #14
TRIBUNAL said:
oh, should I remove the heads?
Click to expand...
If it was me, yes.
 
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Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,179
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Massachusetts
Sep 20, 2016
#15
  • Sep 20, 2016
  • #15
I'd also still try and scrape up $130 or so for a set of springs and valve seals from Alex parts


Sent from my big ass iPhone 6 using Tapatalk
 
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FoxMustangLvr

I love my Pimp
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Sep 20, 2016
#16
  • Sep 20, 2016
  • #16
These "cheap" junk yard motors get costly real quick. If you pull the water pump you better pray you don't snap a bolt. If you do it's about $80 for a new WP bolt/stud kit from LMR which thank heaven they created! When I found condensation and junky oil in my last motor I was advised to spray the bottom end down with non-chlorinated brake parts cleaner. I had the oil pan off already and it cleaned that area up nicely. Get a new oil pump, oil pick up, and new ARP oil pump shaft while the pan is off. Get a Fel-pro one piece oil pan gasket and black RTV for re-installing the pan. For my first start up I'd use the least expensive dino oil and then change it after you start the engine and warm it up.
 
Reactions: Davedacarpainter, elarm1 and RaggedGT
T

TRIBUNAL

Active Member
Jun 12, 2005
103
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28
Sep 20, 2016
#17
  • Sep 20, 2016
  • #17
thx guys, great advice

So I am looking on summit at head gaskets, I notice they have different options, material, thicknesses. Any opinions on what I should look for?
thanks again
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
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In the garage
Sep 20, 2016
#18
  • Sep 20, 2016
  • #18
FELPRO 9333PT1 head gaskets
 
Reactions: Mustang5L5 and A5literMan

CarMichael Angelo

my rearend will smell so minty fresh,
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
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Sep 20, 2016
#19
  • Sep 20, 2016
  • #19
RaggedGT said:
Several cans of degreaser- I like the kind that foams-a few stiff bristled brushes-big box of blue towels-different sized scrapers and patience will clean it up lol
Others will chime in with more/better recomendations. But here's a few more from me..lol.
I'd pull the intake,valve covers and oil pan. inspect everything and replace anything questionable. I'd replace the oil pump, the timing chain,water pump , balancer, rear main seal and of course the gaskets on the parts you removed

I'll tag a couple of people that still talk to me,and a couple that don't lol

@Boosted92LX @Davedacarpainter
@FoxMustangLvr @hoopty5.0
Click to expand...
What are you talking about? I still talk to you. What does Dave know about degreaser that I don't?

Are you implying that Dave is more accustomed to getting greasy?
 
Reactions: Davedacarpainter

Davedacarpainter

Chicks can make things hard if they’re inspired...
SN Certified Technician
Nov 28, 2015
11,833
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203
Discordia
Sep 20, 2016
#20
  • Sep 20, 2016
  • #20
madmike1157 said:
What are you talking about? I still talk to you. What does Dave know about degreaser that I don't?

Are you implying that Dave is more accustomed to getting greasy?
Click to expand...
Yeah @RaggedGT , @madmike1157 is one of the greasiest people I know.
 
Reactions: RaggedGT
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