After frying the engine on my Spacecruiser, I need to investigate whether it's worth putting a second-hand engine in.
The mechanic is in the process of establishing whether the head is salvagable so I'll either need a whole engine or a bottom half. I've never had to source anything other than new parts before so I'm not really sure where to start!
How does one go about looking for a second-hand engine? Adverts in the paper? E&M? Youse guys? ;-)
All help gratefully received! - (#630) Doug Smith, 23 Jul 01

Doug
As the Spacecruiser is getting a bit long-in-the-tooth, you may have to shop around a bit. Try the following websites to get a feel for availability and price then check some of the bigger scrapyards locally to see if you can get one. Although a recon engine with guarantee would be better.
Milleniummotorspares.co.uk Intapart.co.uk cleavemotorsalvage.com findapart.co.uk autospares-salvage.com . Exchange & Mart sometimes list recon engines. Check for written guarantees etc.
HTH
Ian - (#631) Ian Dunse, 23 Jul 01

Having been there recently with a Townace TD that I bought with a cracked piston - I opted to replace just the piston and all big ends which has proved a good decision so far. However, If it had been more serious, part costs would have made this uneconomical. BBCSPARESLTD@aol.com was able to import the original bits dead cheap for my job and also supply s/h full engines for the more desperate - and he does use his email.
Previously to my finding him, when I was becoming desperate because Toyota could only give me 10 weeks lead time on a piston, another company told me categorically that Toyota do not supply standard pistons and that if I ordered one from Toyota it would arrive oversized - this i later discovered to be tosh. Deciding to test the waters of s/h parts 'specialists' I ordered a s/h piston for £20 which with Vat &p&P became a lot more! The s/h piston they sent me was rattly, overheated junk despite their assurance that they test all parts and give full guarantees. Thank goodness I didn't order a full engine on their assurances. This website should have a board of 'darstardly dealers' immune from libel law.
BBCspares were good for me but needless to say, I cannot vouch for others.
Hope helpful
Mark - (#635) Mark Adams, 24 Jul 01