Angela Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Hello Ratsuners, I searched for some pointers to help me evaluate a used engine I might be considering. Couldn't find much so thought I'd put this out there to the masses & see what consensus is. There's an L20b available that's local to me. Owner said he bought it 25 yrs ago from a guy that said it "wouldn't stop leaking" & he'd "changed the head gasket but didn't have the gasket properly aligned where the timing chain goes through". The guy who has it now said he'd "popped the head off & found the problem". At the time, this guy had a 510 with an SSS L18 & didn't need the L20b so it sat. Fast forward to 8 yrs ago. This guy sold his 510 & drives Fiat Spiders now. He has a decent set of 510 bumpers, a splash pan, a couple of decent front grilles...& the L20b left over from his Datsun days that he's looking to get rid of. How can I determine the condition of the L20b if it isn't installed, hasn't run in decades & was passed down from a guy to another guy with only his word regarding its condition? Is this even possible? I know he's motivated to get rid of this stuff & seems as though making money is not a big priority for him. Even if I got it for free...would it be worth hauling it & storing it? My crazy Datsunitis disease says "well of course it's worth it...it's a Datsun part..y'never know" but my level-headed, practical side says...eh, hold up there gal...seek wisdom from Ratsun before doing anything foolish. Opinions/advice requested & welcome. Thanks, Angela Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 For free take it... if not Offer a cheap price and roll the dice.... that is if it isn't locked up well then again it is a l20b so even if it is it's still fixable... 2 Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Pop the valve cover off and look at condition, turn engine by hand, see if it turns and watch valve train. There's also ways you can hook up a starter and battery but you need somekind of stand or support, check out YouTube, seen this before and its a good way to hear engine run. Yeh, if its free may,be worth to keep it. 2 Quote Link to comment
distributorguy Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 You never really know until you remove the crank and inspect, look at the used bearings, check for wear. Magnaflux and pressure test. Only at that point is it a guarantee. 3 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Yeah I just bought a used L16 and took the sellers word for it mostly. I did pop the valve cover (looked good) and looked at everything on the outside. The seller seemed trust worthy (yet to deliver the tranny so who knows if he is or not) so I just bought it for $200. Like others said just have to take a leap of faith and even if it is junk you can least learn from it and not have to learn it from an engine in the car. That alone has helped me a lot. 1 Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Again, no real way to know. But if it's like $100 or less.. it's probably worth picking up. Still could be a crap shoot with the bearings. 2 Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Back in the days, I saw an ad for a 20r toyota engine and my 75 Celica needed an engine. Picked it up in SF and the adian looked honest and said the engine was rebuilt 5 years ago. Only wanted 100.00 since they just their house. So I took off the valve cover, cam looked okay, springs were all there, no sludge. Then I turned the engine by hand and turned oky. That engine lasted me 5 years till the head gasket went out. Perform basic stuff and take a chance. How much is the L20, anyway? 1 Quote Link to comment
Angela Posted September 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Back in the days, I saw an ad for a 20r toyota engine and my 75 Celica needed an engine. Picked it up in SF and the adian looked honest and said the engine was rebuilt 5 years ago. Only wanted 100.00 since they just their house. So I took off the valve cover, cam looked okay, springs were all there, no sludge. Then I turned the engine by hand and turned oky. That engine lasted me 5 years till the head gasket went out. Perform basic stuff and take a chance. How much is the L20, anyway? No price has been discussed yet as originally, I was inquiring about the set of 510 bumpers, grilles & splash pan as a bundled, package deal (I am supposed to take a look at everything he has Wednesday after work) to make an offer. As we were talking about that stuff, he mentioned he also had an L20b if I was interested in taking all this Datsun stuff off his hands. He is not into Datsuns anymore...got rid of his 510 nearly 10yrs ago. 1 Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Yes, look at all of his stuff, rusty or not, now that you have 2 Datsuns, wagon and truck. If you don't need the stuff then barter or sell it here 2 Quote Link to comment
Angela Posted September 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Yes, look at all of his stuff, rusty or not, now that you have 2 Datsuns, wagon and truck. If you don't need the stuff then barter or sell it here That mindset has proved quite useful thus far... :thumbup: 1 Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 You have space? And truck? 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 That mindset has proved quite useful thus far... :thumbup: Sounds like a package deal would be best ... clean him out and get rid of what you don't need.... 2 Quote Link to comment
Angela Posted September 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 You have space? And truck? Yes, I have just a little space & I have my Toyota Tacoma to haul it off...just don't have the brawn or help to get it loaded/unloaded easily. Gotta figure that out still if this deal ends up happening. 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted September 19, 2017 Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 No easy way to know until it's in and running. If free take it. Otherwise it's worth what the individual parts are worth in use to you. I have two L20B engines covered up in the back yard. I need a carb part it's right there. A bolt.. right there. 2 Quote Link to comment
Angela Posted September 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 Pop the valve cover off and look at condition, turn engine by hand, see if it turns and watch valve train. There's also ways you can hook up a starter and battery but you need somekind of stand or support, check out YouTube, seen this before and its a good way to hear engine run. Yeh, if its free may,be worth to keep it. That is a great suggestion. I thought I'd share one of the better ones. https://youtu.be/uPcp-P5nxRE 1 Quote Link to comment
hang_510 Posted September 19, 2017 Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 He'll throw it in to get it out of the yard. Once the heads off, look carefully between cylinders 2&3 for cracks. Very minor will withstand a stock rebuild. 2 Quote Link to comment
Angela Posted September 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 Yeah I just bought a used L16 and took the sellers word for it mostly. I did pop the valve cover (looked good) and looked at everything on the outside. The seller seemed trust worthy (yet to deliver the tranny so who knows if he is or not) so I just bought it for $200. Like others said just have to take a leap of faith and even if it is junk you can least learn from it and not have to learn it from an engine in the car. That alone has helped me a lot. Well d.p, I'm kinda thinking "leaps of faith" might be akin to cats supposedly having 9 lives. I just took a big leap of faith buying my 521 & driving it 4 long hours in the dark after doing a minimal inspection/test drive. That trip alone had to be worth at least 8 of those 9 :angel: We'll see. Afterall, the leap of faith I took buying a stored L16 with A87 peanut head & attached 5speed from a guy several years ago paid off very sweetly. Put that in my wagon & she's still purring. Best $200 I've spent in a long time. 1 Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 19, 2017 Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 I love hearing those stories. That's what is about with these old cars. A lot of parts are gone, just have to make due with what you can get and I bet you what ever u get from that guy, someone here will need it or sell some at a meet and fund more toys. Good luck..and let us know what happened. 2 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted September 19, 2017 Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 Well d.p, I'm kinda thinking "leaps of faith" might be akin to cats supposedly having 9 lives. I just took a big leap of faith buying my 521 & driving it 4 long hours in the dark after doing a minimal inspection/test drive. That trip alone had to be worth at least 8 of those 9 :angel: We'll see. Afterall, the leap of faith I took buying a stored L16 with A87 peanut head & attached 5speed from a guy several years ago paid off very sweetly. Put that in my wagon & she's still purring. Best $200 I've spent in a long time. Well you should already have your answer then. 2 Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted September 19, 2017 Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 Advice on this topic is completely subjective. If you are capable (and willing) to install the new engine to see how it runs, that's the best way to find out for sure. I figure it's all a gamble and sometimes, a gamble worth taking. If you get it for next to nothing, then what do you have to lose? If you pay $400-$500 for it and it runs great, then your gamble paid off. If it doesn't run and needs a rebuild, then you're out the time and the money But the chances of it being a complete turd can be lessened by a good visual check up front. Trust your senses. If it looks and smells burnt, then it was probably not very well taken care of. If you see scratched, rusted or pitted wear surfaces, it may be superficial, or it may be the death rattle sounding for that engine. Even if you had to completely rebuild the L20B, it should cost you no more than $1500 for an inexpensive yet competent rebuild. 2 Quote Link to comment
Angela Posted September 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 Ok you guys & gals, Here's the update: I took the drive to check out this guy's leftover parts from his Datsun days & made him a deal for all of it. He threw the L20b in for free! I didn't actually have the means to haul it home today but I did get the following parts (some I'll put up for sale to fund my projects, some I'll keep as spares): L20b 1 69-73 (?) 510 Grille with "Datsun" emblem 1 early 510 Grill with center "D" emblem 3 chrome front hood trim pieces 1 lower front grille piece 1 510 sedan chrome front bumper 1 510 sedan rear bumper 1 splash pan 2 Hitachi carbs 1 Haynes manual 1 similar type manual I'd say it was a good day :thumbup: 5 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 'DATSUN' grill was '68 'D' grill was '69 1 Quote Link to comment
Angela Posted September 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 'DATSUN' grill was '68 'D' grill was '69 Thanks Mike for the clarification. Was gonna look back under old posts but figured FuckBucket sabotaged any reference pics anyway. So, I got a "D" grille from 1969 then. The other one is just like the one on my '71 wagon. 1 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 Great score Angela! You keep buying and you will have to move to Arizona so you can afford to buy acreage to put your Datsun fleet and stash of parts!!! LOL 1 Quote Link to comment
hang_510 Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 He threw the L20b in for free! 1 510 sedan chrome front bumper 1 510 sedan rear bumper I'd say it was a good day :thumbup: ;) Bumpers worth the deal price. Quote Link to comment
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