Can the health of an uninstalled engine be determined?
 

Found an engine for sale cheap... guy says it hasn't been run in >3 years. It's either a 3.0 or 3.2 with Webbers and a 915. How do you know if an engine like this is OK as it sits or if it need rebuilding?

Other than obvious physical/visible indicators, you can do a cold leakdown test to get a feel for the condition of the motor. If the 915 is present and bolted up, slap on a starter and a battery, and you can do cold compression also, if needed.

Engines/trans-axles sitting out of vehicles always present unique problems/questions.

Do you know the seller? Was it his engine? Do you know him and/or think you can trust him?

If it's a 3.0 or 3.2 you know someone has tinkered with it (Weber's) ...so, perhaps there are other (internal) mods.?

No way to know mileage, condition of bearings/rings/chains/oil pump/valves/etc.

Unless I can hear an engine run, I ALWAYS take it apart, just to see what I have.

(But that's just me.)

Is it this jerk in Scottsdale who professes to be an engine specialist? Forget his name but if he has even gotten near the engine then run.

You can pull the plugs, turn it over with a wrench, remove the sump (if it's a 3.2) or the drain plug if it has one and look at the oil. You can look at the bottom for obvious signs of a pulled head stud and if it doesn't have the exhaust on it, you can see the ports for how it was running (beyond the plug check). Check the intakes with a flashlight with the butterflies open, if there's valve leakage in the intakes, it will show. I'd say you at least have get the thing up in the air to see this stuff.

You could go further and remove the valve covers since the motor is out. Lots of ways to size things up. I still wouldn't pay top dollar.

Why don't you post the engine number so age/model can be verified? You have a greater chance of broken head studs on '78-81 engines, less so on '82> engines. On 3.2 engines you have a greater chance of valve guide problems than on a 3.0. If their is no engine number walk away. Knowledge is power...

Find a dyno and for $75 you could run it no?

You could, but the transportation and the preparation to start an engine that has sat for 3 years is an all day job. The dyno would have to be in a Porsche friendly place with provisions for the dry sump. Then there's all that oil......

I think he's better of following the best of all the suggestions above including determining what the actual motor is, per PZ.

I don't think it's in Scottsdale. I called this morning and asked for the engine number. He said he'd call back in 10 minutes. That was 5 hours ago. Hmmm...