Where to Buy a Complete Engine and What to Watch Out For?

Swapping your car’s engine is rather a bulk investment for car owners.

Whether you’re buying it for rebuilding your classic car, a general repair scenario, or collecting pieces for your favourite project car, you must find a reliable source to buy a complete engine. But with the abundance of suppliers in the market, you can easily get lost. So let’s learn where to buy and what to avoid while buying an engine.

Where Can You Buy a Complete Engine?

Here are the primary places to look into when finding a replacement engine:

1. Auto Parts Suppliers

There are suppliers that carry engine assemblies for a wide array of vehicles. This is useful for anyone who might want a remanufactured or reconditioned engine. Something that comes with a warranty.

2. Online Platforms

Websites that cater to individuals looking for and selling car parts are a great go-to for rare engines. But, with instances of faulty products, it’s riskier than buying from a licensed business, so check the seller’s track record.

3. Junkyards

Enthusiasts who are a fair bit short of the budget tend to look towards the junkyard. Purchasing a used car engine from a junkyard is a viable option, especially if you find a good source you can trust.

4. Manufacturer/Sellers/Dealerships

Whether it’s a new engine you are after, it is wise to go straight to the manufacturer or a licensed seller. You can trust that you will be getting the exact part your car needs, but this option is also understandably the most expensive.

What Should You Watch Out For?

When purchasing a full engine, the cheapest price is not the most important consideration. You need the peace of mind of a reliable and valuable asset. Here are some things to look out for.

Model Compatibility

Engines are not, as a rule, interchangeable. You must ensure that the engine you are buying is compatible with your vehicle by sourcing a matching engine for that vehicle’s make and model. Even the smallest deviations can create large amounts of extra work during installation later.

Requested Documentation

If you are lucky enough to be buying a full engine of the second-hand or reconditioned type, ask for a log of this engine’s servicing schedule and the odometer reading. The seller should have this work in an engine logbook or stamped in a service book. Reputable dealers will be happy to demonstrate any maintenance work that they put into the engine, too.

Part Warranty Requested

Any second-hand item should still come with a form of warranty. You require this to be able to protect yourself from any hidden faults and issues with the product.

Bargain Prices are a Warning Sign

If the price seems too good to be true, it usually is. Engines pulled to pieces that are cheap may have signs of interior damage or ultrasonic-welded joints that should be avoided.

Requested Pressure Testing 

Any reliable dealer will have had the engine in question pressure checked prior to advertising for sale. It will most likely have also been test-run. Having the unit checked for compression and pressure leaks already saves you from having to find out later.

Final Thoughts

Purchasing a complete engine doesn’t need to be daunting if you’re educated on what you need and how to find it. You have access to various channels, from junkyards to official dealers, who can help you fulfil your requests, with their own advantages and disadvantages. You’re likely to get your value out of it if you do proper checks on compatibility, stick to your requirements of papers and warranties and purchase a complete engine, regardless of whether it’s brand new or merely a certified safe used car engine as good as new.