davek1661

That's the question... can I put a 1961 Sky Rocket engine in a 1964 Dynamic 88? My "L" code 394 is tired and needs a rebuild. A friend knows a guy with a 1961 4 door barn find he's parting out. That's all I know about it at this point...

rocketraider

The big difference is the timing cover and water pump. Far as I know everything else bolts up.

davek1661

That's what I thought too. Supposedly it only has 70k miles on it, but he doesn't know if it runs. He's selling it as a rebuildable core.

BangScreech4-4-2

Then you might as well just rebuild your 394. At least it's a known quantity.

Vintage Chief

Don't put the cart before the horse. Tear down your current engine - see what you're dealing with - first.

Sugar Bear

If the price is good and you have the room having a 70k mile engine for parts would be good. It depends on your situation and preference.

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davek1661

Thanks everyone- that's what I thought. It's worth having a good engine with only 70k miles on it, but if I'm "hoping" it'll be better than the one I already have... well, it was "hoping" for a good engine got me this far down the road in the first place. And I did the wet compression test today. Overall, the engine makes much better compression on the wet test, but #3 and #5 cylinder are still under 105, only marginally better. By comparison, #1 and #8 made over 130 lbs on the wet test. I'll check the valve adjustment just to be sure, but I'm going to have to tear it down.
To assume anything about a $600 junk yard engine isn't wise- all I know for sure is it's a $600 junk yard engine. My brother suggested maybe I should buy the engine and drive the car while I build the other engine, so that's a thought too. Or, drop the other engine in and drive that one while I build the original engine. If I had endless time and money this would be so much easier..

Vintage Chief

If seller doesn't know if it runs...don't plan to move too quickly on this idea:

Pull the engine (again). That's where to begin. Evaluate pistons, walls, rings, valves, deck, block, head, guides, etc., etc. Then, make an informed decision to move forward.

Sugar Bear

$600 isn't a bargain for a core...I doubt there is a long line of buyers. Is the core engine a high compression version, would you want that?

On the cylinders that increased compression the rings have a problem and possibly the pistons. On the cylinders that didn't come up there are valve problems. The valves aren't adjustable.

Charlie Jones

Save that $600 toward a good re-build.

OLDSter Ralph

These two guys are giving you good advice. There have been running 394's for sale on here in years past. There is not a big demand for them. You don't need a pile of scrap iron in the corner of your garage. You can bore that 394 an 1/8" oversize, pistons, cams, bearings and gaskets are available, so rebuilding isn't a concern. .