Gentlemen, I am in need of a new motor ( my block cracked) and i am on a tight budget. I know its always a gamble when you get a junkyard motor but i think if im armed with a little knowledge i can come out with a decent motor. Please post up what you would look for if you were hunting for junk yard gold..

 

pop the rad cap, if its black you got problems, walk away. If you can crank the engine test the compression on all 6 cylinders. If you can get it to start make sure it holds good oil pressure. Try to find an engine as close as possible to your year jeep. Look the engine over good, make sure nothing is cracked. If the intake elbow is off it might have water in it, walk away.

 

Oh and look for something with low miles, thats all i have. Im sure somebody else has some other tips that im missing

 

^^ Agreed... If not in a vehicl or hood is gone look in the throttle body, for water or signs of water. Pull the dipstick, make sure oil is in it, and no rust on the dipstick, or water in oil.

 

take the motor from a wrecked jeep. that way you know why its in the jy.

 

Consider buyin from a Junk yard that pulls them right off the bat. One of the local yards here pulls them right off the bat if they are running, but you pay more for that I bet than pulling yourself.

 

Always look into valve cover opening and see how rockerarms and lifters
look if oul is clean on steel, If it looks thick and tary look elseware.