Scrapyard engines?

[Badot]

I walk around the local scrapyard from time to time and come across a few horizontal shaft engines, usually still mounted on an old minibike or something... what would be the odds that they would be fixable? Most of them seem to look okay, turn over, and have compression that can be felt with the pull cord, but I'm always fairly hesitant with these kinds of purchases.

The engines aren't tested or anything - basically anything with parts that can be pulled gets strews across the general area for people to look through.

I guess what I'm asking for is what to look for - I know to look for cracks in the block, checking the oil if it's still there, pulling the cord to see if it turns over/has compression, checking the plug for oil, checking the carb bowl for loads of crap... anything else I should look for? I don't really care about the tank or the muffler, those could be easily made. I'd just want something I could get running cheap.

Also, what should I look for in 2 strokes if I come across one?

EDIT: I know to check for spark too.

 

[sexyvicta]

for twostroke. Same deal. Except check for crankcase as well as combustion chamber compression. Disable decompressor if it has one and turn the engine over by hand. Should feel resistance twice per revolution.

 

[redsox985]

How much do they want for these engines? If you can find a flathead engine in good shape, they're very basic and easy to work with.

 

[Clayton]

If they are briggs engines they should work, I had a 3hp briggs flathead that had been sitting in the rockpile for 30 years, and then I changed the coil, cleaned the points, got a new plug, put in new oil and gas, cleaned the carb, and fixed hte recoil and it runs great! I even have a '53 briggs 6hp that I fixed up and it runs better than my brand new clone!

 

[Badot]

Not sure how much they'll want for them... I've seen them charge $20 for the clear plastic off a tail light, and they wanted $30 for a somewhat ratty riding mower seat (then going on to state that new ones were $40...) but they've given me an IAT for free.

Any thoughts on starting points for negotiations? I understand different engines would be worth different amounts, but for one in seemingly decent to good condition should I go for maybe 20% of new retail for the engine or an equivalent?

 

[Bluethunder3320]

depends how much work you want to do to it, like if you find something totally rusted to nothing and covered in crap and paint all chipped off the block, take a low price because you will need to restore it. get something thats running and it will cost more....

well i just got a free lawn mower that runs great today! its a 1994 6hp briggs. got it from my friends (dad) because he got a riding mower.

 

[Clayton]

I got a 3hp briggs falthead for $12.50. And it was in decent shape, it just needs a $35 ignition coil. If that helps. Low ball em, then you have room ot go up.

 

[bighead]

I always carry a compression tester in my truck. Pretty simple and good way to tell if you got a good motor. Or good chance anyway. I really just look for 2 strokes. But I also see the smaller gas engines. Still waiting for an old horizonal shaft lawn tractor to come in.

Also the guys picking up scrap in your hood. Strike a friendship with them. They will bring you cool stuff all the time. In my state they make a scrapper wait 1 week before they are mailed a check. ever since that law has past they bring me stuff all the time. I bought both these scooters for $40 from the said scrappers. They brought me so many snow blowers and tillers that I have to turn them down now. Anything over 10hp they still bring me though. Not kidding my back yard has become a junk yard just from hooking up with two scrappers. Always buy something or give them $5 to $10 for the gas for bringing you the item you did not buy. Pay them well or fair. Not scrap price.

The ball is in your kart if the scrappers have to wait a week to get paid. They come a running for cash. And they find and get all the good stuff.

I could own a thousand weedeaters if I wanted to from them.

 

[j-burton]

i have found that you can get any engine to fun as long as it has spark but if it doesnt dont even bother ussaly you have to replace the coil on them and it ussaly costs like 40-100

 

[KILLDOZER]

I go to scrap metal yards regularly, of which there are 3 within a 20 min. drive from me. I have to use great will power to leave some of the stuff laying there. Some examples of scores:

Cent. clutch from Honda 200M ATC - $4.00
Honda GX390 1" shaft, on a pressure washer cart - $15.00 (runs!)
11 HP Craftsman tractor complete, runs- $20.00
1970 I.H. Cub Cadet 108 Tractor complete less deck, runs - $50.00

I just left a late '60's John Deer lawn Tractor in the yard - it ran and the ex-owner said it "wouldn't engage" It was in excellent running condition. I likely could have had it for 150-200.00 - It probably weighed close to 1000 lbs - cast iron everything

I have excellent luck getting boneyard engines going - usually there is only a minor problem. It's worth it if they're 10.00!