Rolled Donors

[AlaskanRider]

Hey there,
Just wondering what your guys opinion on rolled donor vehicles.

There are insurance auctions here where a guy can pick up totaled vehicles for pretty cheap. Rolled vehicles are almost nothing. And you know they had comprehensive insurance, usually under warranty, so you can pretty much assume they were running good when whatever happened happened.

I almost bought one but got cold feet on it wondering what kind of engine damage could result from being upside down. I know there would be no oil pressure for however long the engine ran upside down, and wonder what 5 quarts does to moving pistons when dumped on the bottom.

Anyone out there know much about rolled vehicles, or used one for a v8 ranger?

 

[baddad457]

I'd be more concerned about broken engine and transmission castings.

 

[bilzy7]

I mean if you can check on condition of what you want out of them and assure good working condition. What if it rolled into a lake lol.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I mean if you can check on condition of what you want out of them and assure good working condition. What if it rolled into a lake lol.

Could have been driven into a lake too...

Rollovers are hit and miss. If they die shortly after rolling no big deal. If they sit there and try to run as long as the can they will toast the crank.

We redid a rollovered tractor a couple years ago, it ran upside down until the crank locked up.

 

[baddad457]

I mean if you can check on condition of what you want out of them and assure good working condition. What if it rolled into a lake lol.

If the engine was running and sucked down water, then you're looking at bent connecting rods. Water does not compress.

 

[JoshT]

As long as you tell that there was no external damage to the engine or trans, and can see it run with no problems I don't see it as an issue. The donor for my 86 is a rolled 98 Explorer. Heard it running it, let it idle for ~10 minutes with no problems aside from a leaking power steering rack. Even drove it onto the trailer to bring it home.