The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop opinions and recommendations on engine

I am going to use a 270 in my 41 GMC. The question is this, I most likely won't finish the truck for several years but want to find out the condition of the engine and get the parts I need to rebuild it. I was thinking of tearing it down and having a machine shop do the necessary repairs, boring if necessary and grinding, what ever else might be needed. NOW for the question, do you think I should reassemble right away or clean and preserve all components and assemble further down the road when the rest of the truck is ready for the engine. Dave

If it's going to be several years before you are ready for the motor why not consider cleaning the motor up and install as is. Get the moter running and find out how it runs and what needs to be done in order to make you happy.
You can do all this before painting and maybe save yourself some $$$$$

I have collected a couple engines for my '41 half ton. I plan to install a 1951 216 to just make it drivable so I can work at getting the bugs out of the truck. But eventually, I have 1957 235 that I want to completely rebuild and use as my main engine. I have also collected another '51 216, a '54 235, and a GMC 228 (just for fun).

I am not going to tear into my '57 235, until I have most of the truck rebuilt.

I would be uneasy to put a lot of money and work in an engine that will sit for a couple years. (Sometimes a couple years, can turn into 8 or more).

I have to agree with "westratedel", I would try and get it running for now, and then go on to the rest of the truck. At least you will have an idea of what you have.

John

The engine was pulled from a fuel truck quite a few years ago, it's a 1961, it had the head reguilt once during it's life, but no other work, it was pulled because it was getting tired, but still running. It has no plugs in it and is stuck, at least I could not turn it over by just moving the harmonic balancer by hand. I can see light rust by looking in the plug holes. Just some more info to go by. Dave

Just oil it up and leave it together until you are ready to fix it for use. No sense having it all apart to get scattered around your shop.

I agree with Builder.

Harvester

Since you asked for opinions here goes;

As the others have mentions I wouldn't rebuild it now if the truck cant use it untill later.

However just because you can't turn it over by hand via the balancer it may still run somewhat. Does it still have a starter on it or manual transmission? I would invest a little more energy into trying to crank the motor you plan on using. If it cranks clean it and paint it. If it will not ever budge, clean it and paint it. Either way its not so dirty, and either works alittle or will require complete rebuild when times right. Put motor back on frame.

This is what I just did this weekend.
Im not sure whether I am gonna use this engine or not depends on the engine but I can get it to crank and thats all I know about it. My frame is ready for a engine but my truck is not so we met in the middle.

So I took this old motor which I don't know much about.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2624480300100505384NwLtVN

Primed and Painted it.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2186364580100505384byhfmU
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2625808100100505384lvkDqf

Put it back in truck.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2940665950100505384cTdfez
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2672998220100505384XvGujS

I now feel that I can move forward to the cab work. If the motor works then great. If it doesn't, im only out one long saturday and 20 bucks in paint.

I want a fresh engine with possible waranty when the trucks absolute road ready.

I am with BUILDER and HARVESTER. Oil it up and sit it aside.

Dave

My only reason for tearing it apart now would be to find out what parts I need and not worry about if they are available when I go to do the job. Dave

One point most folks don't consider is the titling ramifications in the future once the original engine is removed. If you ever intend on selling or even giving the truck away after you change the engine and you happen to live in a state that uses the engine number for the VIN on the title (pre '56) you need to be aware that the number on your title will no longer be on the truck. You can save any future owner a heap of headaches by retitling after the swap is made.

The truck doesn't have the original engine now, I'll have to check the title and see if the engine number is mentioned. Dave

Well I wouldn't tear it apart and possibly misplace some pieces waiting to do the job. If your tearing it down, finish the job, paint it , oil it up and wrap it in plastic. Its one less job to do, however if it set a few years and you have problems, you will be hard pressed having the machine shop standing by their work. Something to think about.

Dave

assemble further down the road when the rest of the truck is ready for the engine

wrap it in plastic

yes