I am going to check out a LT1 engine to replace the one I fried in my 97SS. The engine has been in storage for 4 years. It has 45k miles and it ran strong before stored. Should it still be in running condition after it has been sitting untouched for so long? Thanks for your help.

 

mainly it depends on how the engine was stored,
did they spray oil into the cylinders, block all holes...
still if it had not been turned over some of the valve springs were open the whole time= weak or stuck valves
rust on the cyl walls?
Iv been junkyard hunting for years , some good some not so good

if the engine is not that old,have it rebuilt, rings bearings gaskets and valve springs

if its a good price do it

 

I'm strapped for cash and I definitely don't have enough money to rebuild it. I trying to find a drop in replacement for my car. I guess the engine was stored in a public storage unit for four years. I have seen pics and it is very clean.
I do not know what prep work was done before storage if any at all. I was recommended on another forum to pour some oil down the spark plug holes and turn the motor by hand.

 

not to scare you but Iv bought engines that were wrapped up, and water ran out of some of the plug holes

look at it really well and try to turn over with a wrench just to make sure its not stuck

you said pictures , pig in a poke
so I guess you cant touch it huh?
get a really good price or make a 1/2 payment until you verify its good

 

I'm going to check it out next thursday, I will be as thorough as I can. The guy is selling it for 700 bucks, complete. Intake to oil pan and accessories.

 

If the storage environment was/is reasonably protected, it may still be in pretty good shape. I've got an engine in an old car that sat for 10+ years without being started. When I got it cranked up, it ran just as it had before storage. Not what I expected, but I didn't complain.

 

Ok, I talked to the seller again and he says that he has put wd40 and oil in the cylinders atleast once a year and that the engine was sealed in a plastic bag. Things aren't as bad as I thought. I'm still going to check it out thoroughly.

 

Just as long as moisture was not sealed in there with it.