[pokey]

Originally Posted by Mart

If it were me, I'd look at it like this:

I could pull the motor and rebuild it.

Or I could get it running and drive it.

Driving it will do one of two things.

It will improve with driving, any smoke or other bad symptoms will clear up and it will run as well as any other running flatty.

Or it will not run well, it smokes bad, runs rough, and smokes like a trooper.

If the latter, you pull the motor and rebuild it. You're no worse off than if you had done that in the first place.

If the former, you pat yourself on the back, compliment yourself on your judgement and revel in the fact that you saved yourself a load of expense and time.

It's a win / no loss situation, you may as well just fire it up and stop worrying.

Mart.

Excellent advice!