I've got a D16z6 block and head that I'd like to use as-is if possible.

My question is this:

Is it possible to tell the condition of a head without seeing/hearing it run?

Or am I up the creek without a paddle?

 

Check the deck surface for flatness and all of the bearing surfaces and followers for pit scratches etc. If everthing else looks good the head will perform. Once installed compression check and leak down test. This will let you know the condition of the valve seat condition.

 

it would suck to do all that work just to find out the valves arent sealing or the deck is not true. how many people actually have a straight edge laying around.

if you were smart you would take it to a machine shop and have it pressure tested and resurfaced to be on the safe side... but if you dont want to spend a little extra money to be safe then what ms1motorsport is pretty much it, a visual inspection of what he mentioned is the best you can do.