New, so bear with me.

Traded a nice fellow in CA my 1500 SP (& parts) for his 1915. I wanted to go up, he wanted to go down in motor size. Carbs were rebuilt, motor is clean and has good compression, but not sure if the motor is "tight". What exactly does that mean? I can turn the motor by hand, but it is difficult. Any help would be appreciated.

welcome to the board be sure and post an into in the projects section.

welcome!

can you turn the pully with your hands or do you needs a socket on the pully nut? How long has it been since the engine ran and how did it run when it was removed. If it has been a while, it may not be a bad idea to take the heads off and have a look at them. That will give you a better idea. Plus you can measure the pistons and make sure you have a 1915. I bought an engine once only to find out it wasn't the displacement i thought it was. I should have measured the pistons.

you will probly be able to turn it over by hand..when someone says is the motor tight they mean the end play...the way you check this is you grab the pully and pull and push...the movement in a tight motor is not noticable the play in a worn out motor is realy noticable...i say run it till she quits then rebuild...if it came out of a running car and has not been sitting in the rain should be fine..

oh by the way welcome to the board

Welcome.

difficult to turn by hand..easier w/ socket. far as I know, and according to the guy i swamped with, motor was running and in a 64 sedan. he purchased with the motor already in it. motor was too much for him and said one of the carbs wasn't running correctly (idle jet adj screw was missing). haven't measured pistons yet..will check. heads are cb perf 044.

thanks, and i appreciate everyones input. haven't checked the end play..will tonight.