My question is this, I am going to buy a long block from someone that has the engine out of the car. They say the engine is good but how do you really know with out opening it up? I have helped build one engine but it was the persons original engine so he knew what was in it. How can I check to make sure its not messed up internally, like a broken rod or bearing or something?

 

I would start with a compression test. 94

 

you gotta though the dice.... i mean its really not a look at it affair,you gotta hear it ,and look inside if its f***ed up build it if not still build it...unless it was destroyed.

 

Turn the crank by hand with a long wrench like a torque wrench. Take the valve cover off and rotate the engine again. Listen and feel for binding, and spots where it gets hard to turn. With the spark plugs out btw.

 

Alright thanks. I figure turning the crank would be a good place to start. Im still debating what I want to do. My car is burning oil pretty bad and I would like to swap the engine out and build my gsr engine while I still drive my car to work.

 

take the oil pan off and check for metal shavings. pull the valvecover off and give it a look. but really its a crap shoot. u really cant tell without doing a compresion check.