spun bearing in 2.8

Question..Does a spun bearing usually end in the engine seizing? I just purchased an 83 s-10 4x4 with a 2.8 that was supposed to have stopped on the previous owner not very long after a rebuild without a knock or rattle or smoke. The small car lot owner said he tried to crank the engine with a 1500 amp booster and the engine barely turned.
To me this sounds like a piston/pistons may have been installed with too little clearance. Anyway I have not tried to put a big socket on the crank bolt yet and see if will turn over. I will try that tommorow

So my real question is this. when an engine spins a main bearing, does it usually damage the the bearing seat and cap??? or can I just put the engine on an engine stand, flip it over, remove the pan, take the crank out and have it checked/repaired if necessary, and install new bearings and call it a day.

The engine thats in there does not have any leaks and looks good...paint from the rebuild is still there and the unit looks like it should be running.

any thoughts are appreciated.
ken

I have had a blazer and a pick-up, with the 2.8 and both failed. Spun bearings. Both times the crank got warped beyond machining. I had to do a complete rebuild. All though on the second occurance I opted for the 6 cyc. The 2.8's in MY Opinion are not the best Chevy ever made. I know of this major engine failure happening to 3 other people with the 2.8. I hope you will luck out though. Just be prepared for worst, and hope for the best. Good Luck!

Thanks Torq,
I beleive I will just install the used 2.8 and then look for a 3.4 out of a Camaro and when this one fails I will drop that in...

Thanks alot.
Kenneth



I have had a blazer and a pick-up, with the 2.8 and both failed. Spun bearings. Both times the crank got warped beyond machining. I had to do a complete rebuild. All though on the second occurance I opted for the 6 cyc. The 2.8's in MY Opinion are not the best Chevy ever made. I know of this major engine failure happening to 3 other people with the 2.8. I hope you will luck out though. Just be prepared for worst, and hope for the best. Good Luck!