Inspecting used engines
 

If you just want to get an idea of the condition of a bare block, is a telescoping bore gauge sufficient? Will a digital caliper get you close enough when you measure the bore gauge?

Also curious how to check out an engine that has the heads attached? I assume many sellers won't want you disassembling in their driveway.

Just kind of thinking about doing some scrounging around these parts for BBC and Pontiac blocks for fun, keeps me outta the bars. Ok not really, I still go to the bars. But whatever!

In terms of a Pontiac I would be wanting to yank the intake and the valley pan to check out how the lifter to bore clearance is.

If the motor / block needs to be saved by a cylinder bore sleeve or a line bore job that’s common stuff and not crazy expensive, but on the other hand lifter bore sleeving is specialized work and by far not cheap!

thank you!

Welcome!

My experience over the decades has been that when you first walk up to a long block assy that you can not hear run, Slip any small talk and go right to asking the seller if you can pull one head.
If the answer is no then just don't argue and just walk away because they know something that they do not want to tell you.

If nothing else come prepared with a Bore camera and a the needed tool to look down into each Bore.