Quote:
Originally Posted by brillo_76
Pull your starter and bolt it on.
Like all others said turn over by hand or the nut on the crankshaft. Then do a compression check.
Worst case use jumper cables or a jump pack to spin that engine over to get that compression check.. As it tells you want you need to know about that engine.
How does the oil in the pan look?
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I'm not aware of any way to get a compression reading by turning the engine by hand. The cylinders will de-compress faster than you can spin it, I've tried. Took me a bit to learn how to energize a starter with a battery when the engine is out of the vehicle so gave it a shot. Didn't work.
Also, if you do try and bring a starter, the transmission must also be attached since the starter bolts to the transmission housing, not the engine.
If you do end up buying the engine without a compression check, just be ready or have the means to rebuild it if it doesn't pan out. You could try reading the spark plugs... that gives a little info into the health of each cylinder since for example a sooty plug means it's running rich (poor burn, low compression) or a damaged plug could point to a problem with the engine as well.