Ok, Im about to look at a b18c1 engine to swap into my car. Maybe im in the wrong forum, if so someone help me out where to go. Heres the story he bought the engine with 77k miles, drove it to about 80k when he got his race engine, and since then it has been sitting in his garage for about a year. Obviously there is no way to make sure it really does have 80k miles, its out of the car already, and he could be bullshitting and have 130k miles and he just made up the story. But miles don't neccessarily mean much if the car still runs strong and was maintained. My question is what can I look for as indicators how the engines condition is in. Obviously I will check for leaks, anythin else. Should I have him take the head off and check the pistons and valves. I read somewhere what the different colors would mean. Carbon build up etc. If anyone has recomendations send them my way.

 

check the oil pan and oil filter and look for metal shavings...a tell-tale sign of brutalized engine.

 

Aside from the general appearance of the block, heads and so fourth (cracks, damaged wiring, etc)

1. Look at sparkplug condition: This will tell alot about the engine. Damaged spark plug = blown engine, etc...

2. look at the oil: Black, sludgy, full of metal particle, etc

3. Unscrew the oil filter and look inside the engine through that hole. Will give you an indication... (bring a flashlight)

4. Look inside the oil filter: look for metal particles and such (gold colored shaving are a bad sign)

5. Peer inside the throttle body (intake, air dam) for oil and such

6. Look for macgivered or badly made repairs on the outside of the engine.

7. Look for stripped or damaged nuts and bolts. Gives you an indication of repairs that were made and quality.

8. Look inside the header to check for color (black running to rich, gray running to lean, dark gray or red-brown = good, oily = run away)

9. try to turn the crank if you can to see if it is actually turning

good luck

fs