Too Good To Be True?

[project 92z]

I just bought a second Z34. This one a 91 and thought I got a pretty good deal on it. I was sooo disappointed to find that what I thought was originally a bad tune up or coil, was a dead cylinder. While trying to do the tune up, I found a oversized spark plug insert (18mm x 1.5) and I don't know who did it or if the shavings ended up in the block. Well I was trying to decide between rebuilding head, engine, or finding a used one. While searching for a motor I found one that the seller is advertising as new. A motor that was donated to a school new from the factory so 0 miles, 0 wear. Anyone ever heard of GM doing this? Can it be verified? If it's real, any suggestions on upgrades b4 it goes in (relocating coils is one that comes to mind)

[Heartbeat1991]

I have heard of this a lot. I don't know much about them though. From what I understand, they were used to train people. They were torn down and rebuilt a bunch of times, but I don't think that hurts anything.

[project 92z]

I'm also curious about a good price for this. He's got it listed for 2k but that's seems kinda pricey to me.

[Heartbeat1991]

Are we talking about a DOHC 3.4? I bought one about 13 years ago (long block) for $1300.

[3400-95-Modified]

In my opinion yes that seems a bit pricey for something a bunch of newbs have had their grubby little hands all over... lol I mean lets face it, at the least you need to fully tear it apart and inspect everything for any damage from constant removal and re-install before you can even think about using it. You have no idea who put it together last or if it was put together 100% to spec and ready to go all lubed up and everything. It could have broken rings from improper installation, scratches in the bore from going in and out with a piston, dents or nicks in the crankshaft journals from rod bolts hitting it and so on...

As the fortune I have sitting in my keyboard says... "The expert at anything was once a beginner" so even if he tries to give you a line of all his students were great, it doesn't mean they never made a beginners mistake and may have hurt something in that engine.

[Schurkey]

I found one that the seller is advertising as new. A motor that was donated to a school new from the factory so 0 miles, 0 wear. Anyone ever heard of GM doing this? Can it be verified? If it's real, any suggestions on upgrades b4 it goes in (relocating coils is one that comes to mind)

GM did that a lot. Often, flood-damaged vehicles, or other un-sellable product. Our instructors at trade school were very grateful to GM, including calling them "Generous Motors".

They were torn down and rebuilt a bunch of times, but I don't think that hurts anything.

It would depend somewhat on the people doing the teardown and re-assembly. They would not install new gaskets.

But then, some of these engines sat on a display stand, or were put into storage so the students never got their hands on them. If it hasn't been under water, or in a fire, or had students playing pin-the-tail-on-the-engine-block, and the price is right--grab it.

I'm also curious about a good price for this. He's got it listed for 2k but that's seems kinda pricey to me.

Fukkin' crazy. Dealerships were blowing those things out for $800 some years ago. If it's new-untouched, it's worth $800 or however much you'd give them. If it's been ripped-apart by students, you can't run away fast enough. Don't even consider it.

at the least you need to fully tear it apart and inspect everything for any damage from constant removal and re-install before you can even think about using it.

Yup.

any suggestions on upgrades b4 it goes in (relocating coils is one that comes to mind)

Where are you? Around here, I'd install a block heater. Near-impossible to do in-the-vehicle, piece of cake with the engine out (or the rear head removed.)