whats best way to see if engine is good or ragged w/o taking head off?

[Fergus]

Found a full motorset at a local shop w/ 100k on it. Its the product of the leftovers from an sr20 swap. I'm guessing it has been driven hard, but you never know. Taking the valve cover off is easy enough way to see how often the oil has been changed (gunk build up) and unbolting the transmission to see the clutch/flywheel condition. I'm not sure if the shop would let me do that much unbolting or not. Any other suggestions? Just dont want to spend the cash to buy it and my time to put it in and have it be a peice.

Thanks

[petesleaf]

Assuming you are looking at a KA motor and 5sp. Make sure it is a 5sp not an automatic!. After all, these cars are made to be driven not to drive u. Make sure the engine is a DE (16valve dual overhead cam) not an E (single cam) Single cams arn't worth messing with and most are junked after being swapped. Ask the owner to perform one test before agreeing to buy this hunk of Iron. A full compression/leakdown test. This will assure that the cylinders, pistons, rings, head gasket and valves are in good condition. Some KA engines hold up well over 150k if they have been maintained with TLC. Valve seals, front crank seals and head gaskets are common replacements over 150k. A worn out clutch isn't a big deal and should be replaced anyway before you put the engine in regardless. Disk, Pressure Plate, throwout bearing and pilot bearing. If you are satisfied that the clutch is good and dont want to spend the money right away then it can be replaced later from under the car.