possible locked engine

[poboy26]

Hello guys,
New member here, today i purchased a 2003 Mercury Marauder guy told me that he replaced the oil pump and cam springs and car started to run rough. the next day he said he drove the car to work and on the way home car died and would only click when trying to start, so he replaced the starter and that wasn't the problem. He tried to turn the engine with socket and break-over bar motor wouldn't turn, I'm thinking the motor maybe locked up. should i replace the motor or rebuild the one i have? any suggestion car has a 132,000 miles. Thanks guys

[Mike M]

Just make sure the alternator didn't lock up, remove belt and try to spin it over.

[whitey]

Id say its locked, you could rebuild, but there are other choices on motors thatll drop in. The real question is how much power do you want and how deep is your wallet?

[poboy26]

Thanks for you guys reply... Mike i will check the alt if thats not it i will be looking to purchase a new engine... Whitey wouldnt mind having a little power But don't have too much money lol. I have some to play with...Thanks again guys

[Motorhead350]

Replace it. Its done.

[Vortech347]

Manually turn the crank and make sure it really is "locked up" Next up Bore scope it. Its easy to do on these cars and see if any pistons have damage.

[RacerX]

"he replaced oil pump and cam springs and car started to run rough"

Scary info right there, but, it could be something locked up in the heads and cheap to fix. If it was oil starved though...

[EMAS]

Yeah it is scary that he replaced the oil pump and valve springs.

That really makes you wonder why he replaced the pump. Did it have a rod knock and low oil pressure that he thought could be cured with a new oil pump?

It is also possible that he didn't get the retainers for the valves properly seated and one popped out and a valve shot down into the cylinder and locked up a piston.

If you are on a budget then a good used engine would be my choice since the engine may be locked up it may not be a simple rebuild or even rebuild-able at all.

[poboy26]

That's what I think happen EMAS... thanks for all you guys advise.