[93HRDTOPTT]

Well I need some opinions on a motor that I guess I just bought. It was describe to me as being a fresh new from Toyota short block with 0 miles on it with not a scratch on it. It is a built motor bored .0020 over and only has 40 minutes of run time on it with no load. Just started to make sure it runs on a lift and then the oil drained and filter cut apart and checked.
The shop installing it for me received and told me he didn’t want to accept the motor. I was like WTF? He told me there was a corner on the bottom of the block near a bolt hole that looks as if it cracked off and was rewelded and that the weld did not penetrate and looked like it could pull off. Also the #5 cylinder wall looked scratched and blued like it ran extremely hot. The person I am buying it from told me it just isn’t broken in yet and the corner cracking is common on the newer Toyota casting.

I have pictures of this and wanted some opinions from some of the guys on here if everything looks okay or not. Is this motor just not fully broken in yet? The shop refused delivery on the block but it appears I cannot get a refund on it. I am skeptical of putting the motor in my car and having problems with it. The seller said he would give me in writing a guarantee that the motor is fine. I just don’t want the hassle of putting it in then have something go wrong because of the block and then play the finger pointing game.

Is this a motor you would put in your car?
Thanks for your opinions!

click here for pics

 

[KenHenderson]

You need to hear from engine experts like [email protected], Chris Johnson at Performance Motor Sport and Ryan23, but that looks like serious trouble to me. That kind of cylinder wall scuffing is not a good thing. If this is a brand new Toyota shortblock with a built bottom-end, where are the brand new OEM pistons and rods? What is the name of the shop that ran the motor on a lift? I think your shop is doing the right thing and, hopefully, you can get your money back. I wish you good luck. You might want to PM those individuals I referenced inviting them to check out this thread as they can be of more assistance than I can.

Ken.

 

[Hua]

Get your money back.

 

[93HRDTOPTT]

Ken, Thanks,
It has JE pistons and Aftermarket rods.It is a built motor advertised to hold 1000hp. I bought this from a forum member here and this is what was delivered to the shop I was getting it installed at. I needed to build my motor and this member needed to sell a built motor.Thought I was doing a good thing for both of us.

unfortunetly for me it seems the member cannot get me my money back. I was hoping I was being too paranoid and the motor was ok. The shop he had build it told him everything is ok. He is willing to give me a written guarantee that is noterized that the motor is okay. :dunno:


And Thank you, Alex

 

[93HRDTOPTT]

The cylinder with a strip in the cylinder wall looks like its pretty scored up. Lack of oil of possibly.

That is what everyone is telling me but the shop that built it for the guy I am bought it from

 

[BlitzTT]

I've bought a few stock short block from the dealers... and none of them that I have bought has any kind of welding on it... I seriously doubt that toyota will reweld something and sell it as new... I would try to get your money back or something... good luck...

 

[AznSupraTT]

hey Josh, sorry to hear about whats going on with ur motor. Hopefully everything will work out in the end. I would have a serious talk with the guy u bought the motor from, b/c from the pics it looks like something serious went wrong. If u need anything just contact me.

 

[TT TRD]

He is willing to give me a written guarantee that is noterized that the motor is okay.

What good is his guarantee if he told you that he didn't have the funds to pay you back?

 

[Ryan23]

Ouch. Not good. Couple of things. Cast iron should never be welded. As you have seen, the results are never good. Perhaps someone in this world is good at it, but I have yet to see it. And I know some *really good* fabricators too. I'm sure you have figured it out by this point but just to reassure you, it did NOT come from Toyota that way. Nor are there any "common crack points". Maybe a few common breaking points on the exterior when Fedex drops them .

I have only one guess on "how" it happened. Speculation, but here goes. The engine spun the main bearings in a previous life. The main caps probabaly did not pop right off and they wedged a screwdriver between the block and the main cap to free it. They applied a little too much pressure or used the wrong tool, and chipped that piece off the block. Then they proceeded to "weld" it back on.

As far as the cylinder goes, if I had to guess without it sitting in front of me, incorrect piston to cylinder wall clearance. The piston expanded as it warmed up and grabbed the cylinder wall. Low/no oil? *Possibly*, but that's a big thing to overlook at startup. On top of that, it appears to be localized in one cylinder. I'm not a big fan of aftermarket pistons myself. Case in point, that block is more than likely going to require an overbore. You *could* go .040 over but it's not recommended. I would pursue a refund if at all possible. That engine is *not* serviceable as is.

Ryan

 

[Hua]

I wouldn't put that motor in the car; guarantee or not. Once it goes in, he'll just point the blame at you with the typical bullshit response, "Well how do I know you guys didn't install it incorrectly, or drop something into the motor."

 

[93HRDTOPTT]

This is the feedback I am looking for guys thanks. If somehow someone told me everything was okay :dunno: I would not worry but there hasn't been one person, other that the shop that built it and the seller, That says It is fine.

 

[banton]

I wouldn't put that motor in the car; guarantee or not. Once it goes in, he'll just point the blame at you with the typical bullshit response, "Well how do I know you guys didn't install it incorrectly, or drop something into the motor."

Agreed.

 

[ChallenSup]

your shop did the right thing in my opinion. Get your money back. Engine was not as advertised.

 

[93HRDTOPTT]

your shop did the right thing in my opinion. Get your money back. Engine was not as advertised.

Agreed, only it seems he can't get my money back

 

[aliga]

post his info up, maybe someone can go pay him a visit.

good luck.

 

[93HRDTOPTT]

post his info up, maybe someone can go pay him a visit.

good luck.

Not wanting to go that route, It solves nothing. I just want to get my money back to build a good motor and get my car running.

 

[Justin]

there's always court... if you've got proof of purchase and a written statement from an expert I imagine you've got a pretty good case...

 

[Josh M]

Man this sucks to hear

I remember reading your story about the methanol injection problem. You always seem so understanding about everything and just go with the flow.

One good thing is that it looks like you have a trust worthy shop on your hands as it seems they were doing right by you. They could have easily just installed it and sent you on your way but didn't. As far as the motor I guess I can't really give you any good news on it, I'm no engine expert by any means and even I can tell something looks fishy with that rewelded piece on it. Best of luck to you and hopefully your good overall attitude about the situation will somehow come back to you in a positive way

 

[94Silver]

This situation is really horrible, I hope the seller comes forward and pays the money back to 93HRDTOPTT, I hate to see members getting screwed.

 

[93HRDTOPTT]

Man this sucks to hear

I remember reading your story about the methanol injection problem. You always seem so understanding about everything and just go with the flow.

One good thing is that it looks like you have a trust worthy shop on your hands as it seems they were doing right by you. They could have easily just installed it and sent you on your way but didn't. As far as the motor I guess I can't really give you any good news on it, I'm no engine expert by any means and even I can tell something looks fishy with that rewelded piece on it. Best of luck to you and hopefully your good overall attitude about the situation will somehow come back to you in a positive way

I try to go with the flow and put myself in the other persons shoes, but shortly the shoes aren't going to fit right anymore.... I know things can happen , as long as they are made right when they go wrong. I try to do the right thing. I just hope other people do the same. I am a buyer as well as a seller of products on these forums and want to be able to trust the people I purchase from. This experiance makes it hard to do that. I don't want to make a bad name for anyone.

The shop I am dealing with definitely seems to be looking out for me.

Thanks for helping with the comments. It proves I'm not nuts and the motor is "not well"