Start with an outside observation. Engine, tranny, alternator, power steering pump, ac compressor, distributor, starter, axles, wiring harness. Make sure what you want is there...
Next inspect each part thoroughly. Make sure bolts are tightened, fuel injectors are there, wiring harness isn't cut. Some people will use extra engines as a parts store and take excess bolts/parts from them.
Make sure the axles are well seated in the tranny and that they arent snapped inside or anything. Also make sure the ends arent flanged from repeated hammering.
Pick the engine up and make sure the oil pan isnt leaking or severely dented. Hondas usually have a decent amount of clearance between oil pan and oil pump but signs of leakage (anywhere) can mean a faulty engine.
Take the 10mm nuts off the valve cover and take a look inside to make sure there arent any kind of nasty composites on top. Smell it too.. Make sure it doesnt smell smokey. Take off the timing belt cover while you have the valve cover off and turn the pulley so that the cams are TDC to make sure that it was timed correctly and that the timing belt isnt ripped (also a bad sign).
Pull off each spark plug to make sure they dont look like crap. If everything checks out then fork over the money and be on your way. Of course keep his name, addy, phone # handy just in case. As soon as you can crank the engine.. make sure you put a compression tester on it. Make sure they are all about the same pressure and not more than 20 psi apart. It really helps if you know someone with the same model car and take a picture of that engine to compare.
All I can think of right now.. Let me know if that helped at all.
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10-13-2002, 11:20 PM
