Assessment of engine damage in situ for high performance build

[cem1790]

I'm considering purchasing a salvage vehicle with front end damage in order to harvest the block and crank to use in a high performance build. What things should I look for which indicate that the engine will be unsuitable for what I have in mind given the front end damage? (ie. How can I find out from a limited visual inspection if this engine will be unsuitable?)

http://i.imgur.com/UuT2I.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/gPXco.jpg

[stumps.]

Engine looks to be fine in those pics. For the engine to be damaged the front would need to be smashed up to the block at least?

[VEE KA]

i've salvaged an engine out of a car that looked a hell of a lot worse than that and the block was fine. i did swap out the crank though as a precaution as the engine was a Holden V8 and it was a hard front hit. the block is still in my car now and has been for a few years.

my engine came out of this:



http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/6386/88412319wi0.png


basically, just look to see if anything's come into contact with the engine, any mounts, brackets etc that may have been bent or damaged.

going off the engine bay pic it all seems to be fine, nothing looks like it's damaged or hit the motor.

[H1GHROLLR]

Drivers strut tower does look kinda close to the cam pulley/casing ?

[Bomber]

Drivers strut tower does look kinda close to the cam pulley/casing ?
Looks normal. The impact that car has had looks to be very minor. Even the radiator looks to still be sitting square.

Camry ftw haha

[cem1790]

For reference, here is an unmolested Camry engine bay from the same year model.

http://i.imgur.com/pzC2t.jpg

[shifted]

Looks fine? Have salvaged motor from worse just like ITGRIPS.

[_oz]

looks fine from the top/front, only damage i can possibly think of is damage to the sump but then again thats pretty rare as the sump is pretty well protected from the crossmember, just take a quick look at the bottom

[baz]

Did the car loose it's coolant /engine oil and impotantly was it driven/kept running after this happened?
As above though, damage does not look that bad, I too have salvaged engines from cars much worse and they have all been fine.

[cem1790]

Thanks for the advice guys

[TurboHead]

Always check the block for cracks around the engine mount points.