At what point is an m50 trash?

[CarsSuck]

I've got an m50 thats been left outside for some time. Its filled with sludge and the cams and valves have some surface rust. I havnt seen the bottom end yet. Is this engine totally trashed? I would take it to an engine shop to be hot tanked, and checked out and probably freshened anyways. What do you guys think? Should I post pics?

[BrandC]

You can just tear it apart and have it hot tanked, yes.

[318isbmw]

Its still all good with a hottank and possibly cleanin out the cylinders. Old hotrod motors aren't all perfect, a lot of them start out that same way, so u should be fine w/ a capable and smart shop.

[325Projectz]

+1, hot tank the shit out of that thing.

[Mike325]

Tear down and rebuild it. Get it checked out like you said you would and it would be perfect again:up:.

[matt]

It'll be much cheaper to get another whole used motor in good condition.

[CarsSuck]

well considering this one was free, i think I'd prefer to put in a rebuilt engine, or at least one of known condition than gamble on something else. This one might even get some special treatment ;). In any case I'd still need all the other swap parts anyways, so who knows.

[golde30]

well considering this one was free, i think I'd prefer to put in a rebuilt engine, or at least one of known condition than gamble on something else. This one might even get some special treatment ;). In any case I'd still need all the other swap parts anyways, so who knows.

this sounds like the way to go. why buy another un-known condition motor, when you can just rebuild the one you got and have peace of mind?

[Jean]

this sounds like the way to go. why buy another un-known condition motor, when you can just rebuild the one you got and have peace of mind?

x2

[JasonC]

Take it apart, see if it needs bored. Cause the over size pistons might be expensive for it. But maybe not, i don't know? It's free so it couldn't hurt anything by checking out the intrenals of it.

[FredK]

Well if you are able to inspect an engine under power, then you have a better chance of getting a non-bum engine. Rebuilding an M50 IMO is not worth the cost unless you have extreme hookups, because it pretty much requires the same refresh parts as an S50 minus the piston rings.

If the engine is absolutely complete, it might be worth a minor refresh. Otherwise, the machine shop bill, timing components, etc. will quickly outweigh getting a solid used engine. Matt has been there, done that, and I was balls deep into building an S50 from the ground up. It's not an inexpensive or easy endeavor.

[matt]

Yes I have.

Anything deeper than a headgasket, it's cheaper to buy a good used motor.