I hate people who cobble

"Buyer beware"...  I've been lucky, only got bit bad once. Bought a Concord two door from an old guy who used to be a small engine mechanic, so knew his way around an engine. He was too old to do a lot of motor work anymore (late 70s), and had someone start to put a timing chain on the car and left with it half done. Old chain still on, but cover and everything in front out. Just wanted it gone, so we struck a reasonable deal. Put timing chain on and discovered collapsed lifters, wouldn't run. Well, it had 9xK miles on it and had sat for about 18 months, no big deal. Put in all new lifters, about $2.50 each x 12... plus a head gasket set... another $65 or so. Got it started. Ran just a few seconds and I realized I'd been had!! A neighbor heard it and came running over, shouting "shut it off! shut it off!, it's gonna blow!" I was so ticked off I just looked at him as he ran over. Finally reached in and shut it off. Rod knock sounded like someone inside the block with a hammer!! Old guy had to know it... I think he took the timing chain off on purpose, so it couldn't be started and he could get a couple hundred more for it.

At this point it wouldn't cost me anything to pull the pan, so I did -- motor still in car. #2 rod bearing was gone because the fuel pump was bad and had been spraying it with gas.  Didn't just happen, must have been that way for a while. I put the biggest bearing I could get in it -- I think 0.080 under -- and it STILL knocked!! But not that bad. Smoked a bit though, so valve stem seals were about gone too. Had a couple people look at it, but no takers. Called the junk yard. $100 if they came got it, $250 if I drove it on the lot. So I drove it the five miles! When I came knocking and smoking into he yard the guy ave me a sour look. "I just talked to you on the phone a few minutes ago, didn't I?" Yes you did!! He said he was getting taken, but he'd keep his word and give me the $250. Told him that was about 1/3 of what I had in it (money, not time!!), and the story. His reply? "There's a sucker around every corner, me and you this time!!"  Of course he figured he'd break even if he just sold the transmission (904 auto, which did work well) and scrapped the rest.