So I've been considering my options regarding replacing my dying slant. I found someone selling a rebuilt engine out of a 72 dart for what seems like a good price; $650.00. He said the engine was completely rebuilt then never used. I am a little nervous spending that kind of money on an unknown engine off of craigslist. I was hoping you guys could give me some advice ie. questions to ask the seller and things to look for.

First, definitely ask for receipts and see when and where it was supposedly done, and with what new parts. An engine sitting for a long time can rust on the inside and be junk when you first start it. Any chance it is someone on this site??

Look for oil and/or assembly lube still on the parts and bring some tools to turn it over and see about smoothness. I assume the oil pan and valve cover are on it? It is very hard to assess whether an engine like this was done right, or even done at all in many cases. You might consider taking a risk, and offering less for it - like 400-500.

Since you are in Bay area, you might contact Doctor Dodge (Doug Dutra) on this site and see if he has any engines suitable for you, or knows of any to buy.

Well, that's a start anyway!

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

And some folks definition of 'rebuilt' is not very accurate.

_________________
--> Check out my FI Turbo build <--
--> And the race truck build project <--
--> The Diesel Corvette <--

Bruce and Wendy Pine and Edd and PJ Jesiolowski are also not far away (Paradise, CA, I believe). Sorry, I should have said "near the bay area."

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

So I talked to the seller again to day about going to look at it tomorrow. I asked the following questions.
Q: Do you have any paperwork from the rebuild?
A: No. It was my cousins engine. He took it out of his 72 Dart and never put it back in. He lives on the east coast now.
Q: How long ago was it rebuilt?
A: A couple years.
Q: Why was it rebuilt?
A: I don't know.
That's not much to go on but I'll go look at it tomorrow and see if he'll let it go for something closer to $500.00. Can anyone tell me what I issues I might run into because it sat for so long. someone mentioned rust in the cylinders will that be a big issue as long as it turns.

I'd be wary of it after reading his answers. Could be selling you an ordinary run of the mill slant that normally goes from free to $100. Like Lou said, I'd ask Doc if he has anything around or any leads.

So, it was running in his bro's 72 Dart? It is almost impossible to find a good running Slant for <$300 these days. If he could start the engine and run it for you and show that it did not smoke and ran somewhat smoothly, then I would say $600 would be fair. Without running it, I would not trust anything unless it was a close friend or family member who I knew well, or some of the respected people on this site.

His answers are vague and not encouraging. If you are desperate, you can try this, but I would say your chances are 50/50 or less that this will work well. Very unpredictable...

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988