After spinng at least 1 rod bearing in my turbo motor that I never got running right, I've decided to tuck my monkey tail between my legs and just run NA, since a slow truck in the desert is more fun than a fast truck in the garage. I bought a used motor for $100 that needs new timing chain guides, to use the lower end off of since my crank and rods were damaged, and my current engine has the turbo pistons.

My question is, should I do anything like swapping in new rings or rod bearings into the used motor I bought? All I know is it's off a '90 P/U. I don't want to spend the money to have a shop go through it, just wondering what makes sense to do or not do. I will be installing my current head and other parts onto the donor block since my head's recently been tested.

Thanks in advance,

There are a few things I do with an unknown engine;

1)A compression test, and a leakdown. That tells the story for the rings/valves respectively
2)DROP THE OIL PAN AND CLEAN IT OUT this is mandatory in my book
3)In your case, while the pan is off, removed one or two of the rod caps and see what kind of shape they're in, and inspect the piston skirts at least.

Make your decisions from there.

My plugged nickels enyhoo.

Deffintly agree since I just went through it. Pulled compression and it was good but something didnt sound right during cranking. Ended up my 70k motor I had broke the t-chain guide. Peice's all over the pan and in the pickup. Started tearing it down and found the HG was seeping on 1 corner.

motor ended up being fully rebuilt.

I'm swapping the head and all the peripherals from my current motor, so things like the HG and timing chain components will be from the "almost new spun bearing" motor. How could I do the compression test without a starter? The head was tested recently so I know the valves are good.

Thanks guys,