Used parts after engine rebuild

[Harmon C.]

Is their any reason to keep any of this list after an engine rebuild.
Stock pistons
pushrods
hyd. lifters
valves
valve springs
rocker arms
oil pump

Cleaning out the garage and would like to know if any of these parts could be used in a stock motor of the same type. Lyle

[Stephen W.]

Re: Used parts after engine rebuild

My dad loved getting that type of stuff to weld together and make little scuptures out of. He made a great looking motorcycle out of some junk spark plugs, wire and washers. As for reusing the old parts...Well there had to be a reason you replaced them in the first place. I'm a pack rat myself and I'm trying to mend my ways.

[Mike Cobine]

Re: Used parts after engine rebuild

A lot depends on if you are building another engine or not.

If you have a stock bore block, then odds are there is nothing wrong with the pistons. However, how many 40 year old stock bore blocks are there?

If pushrods measure out straight and to correct length, then again. After all, there isn't much that goes wrong with them.

Lifters. Once they have run on a cam, they are set. However, Chevrolet did recognize their use used and gave procedures to reface them. I wouldn't used them as is on another cam, though.

Valves. If you were building a high perf engine, then no. If a normal street engine, like for your tow vehicle or such, then yes. It wouldn't hurt to have them checked thoroughly for cracks because to drop the head of a valve is disaster.

If the used springs test ok, they would be fine to use again.

Rocker arms. Since there are several lengths of the slots in Chevy rocker arms, you should hang onto these definitely in case you have ones with a short slot on your engine. If your bumpstick has slight bumps, you can run anything. If it looks like the Rocky Mountains, you need a rocker that has the long slot, and these may be what you are looking for. Just check of excessive wear in the ball pocket and the tip.

Oil pumps often have lots of wear, but frequently they can be rebuilt with little effort. Still, you can buy a rebuilt one at almost any parts store for $25 so is it worth it? Maybe on that Saturday night when pressure drops to zero and you have to go somewhere tomorrow.

[Dennis C.]

Send those precious items to the land fill... *NM*

[Mark H.]

Re: Used parts after engine rebuild

well cleaned, a used piston (with connecting rod removed) makes a great holder for pads of post-it notes on my desk. Not many folks in my law firm are able to identify what it is!

[Harmon C.]

Re: Used parts after engine rebuild

I can take car of an office with 16 employees.

[Steve L.]

Re: Used parts after engine rebuild

I was thinking of getting 4" dia. plexiglass cylinders and some plexiglass sheets, then glueing together for a see-through engine with these old parts.

Steve L
73 since new