I am going out today to buy a core motor from a salvage yard. I am going to rebuild that engine to replace the one that I have now, (which is in real bad shape). What should I look for besides turning the crank and any obvious damage? My eng. now is realy f'up and I need a rebuild fast. I have a guy who will rebuild and balance for $300. What else should I have the machine shop do to ensure that the core engine will work properly.
Thanks for any help,
Patrick

No broken dowl pins
No signs of wear on the crank - the journals should be POLISHED, but not SCORED. No blueing!
Smooth cylinder walls - no scoring, blueing, or large black breaks in the smooth shiny ring around each cylinder.
No obvious signs of cracking or abuse.
No rust!

Rust is OK in cylinder walls. ONLY if you plan to bore. Best way to find a really good core is to take a peek at the odometer. If says like 130,000 + good chance you'll find a solid casting. Many drag racers prefer "seasoned blocks". If you really want to know what you got, just have the core x-rayed. There are lots of ways like magnafluxing to check heads and blocks. Like Dino said about the dowel pins and no sheared bolts. Almost anything can be repaired properly by a good machinest--but it takes time away from building.

So a high milage block is good then? If thats the case then mine is pretty damn good with 92,000 miles on it.

Hey thanks for the advice. I had to work late so I did not get out in time (damn army). I should make it out for sure tomarrow. I hope the engine is in at least decent shape so I can just worry about the rebuild and not the other bs.
Thanks guys,
Patrick