'Cheap' S50 -> $500

[Andy348]

Found an S50 on local classifieds for $500 negotiable. Has all parts, but the seller tells me that piston #5 has hit the spark plug. He doesn't know if the valves are bent or not.

Thoughts of R3V? Never rebuilt an engine before. Any ideas what it might cost to get this thing in running condition? I'm willing to learn and I have a winter of no driving and garage space for a project.

[nrubenstein]

You pretty much have to assume that the head has been trashed. The risk is whether or not there was block damage.

I would not be enthusiastic about it.

Edit: That said, if you find that things are pretty trashed, you could probably get your money back by selling off the cams and crank.