what to check when buying M motor?

[mck]

Im just about to get a S54 delivered to me place, and before I hand over the money what should I check before I purchase?
Can I some how run the motor or make sure it runs, how do I know its no a lemon?
Any help would be great.

[BDSax]

open up the oil cap make sure the oil is clean, also maybe drian the oil and make sure thats clean too. look a the plugs and you can probably look in the plug holes to see how the carbon buildup in on the pistons. how many miles are on it. maybe have the guy sign a legal document that if he says its a perfect motor and you find out its not that you get to beat the living shit out of him and get your money back too.

if the engine is going to sit for awhile you will probablu want to put like a teaspoon of tranny fluid in each cylinder to keep it lubricated.

Good Luck Mate!

[grib]

If the engine has a transmission hooked up to it and the equipment is available, a compression test is another good indicator of health. They are not as valuable cold - but still worth checking. Not sure what compression range is for an s54. Definately look at the oil and plugs, as suggested above.

Also look around for any little broken/missing parts and pieces. My s52 arrived with shipping damage. Nothing major, but it really adds up replacing a bunch of little parts $50-200 at a time.

On that note, I hope you know what you're getting into with the s54 swap. Be sure that you get EVERYTHING that you possibly can with the engine (computers, wiring, etc) as parts will be expensive and more difficult to find than e36 parts.

Good luck.

[BeirBrennerE30]

Im just about to get a S54 delivered to me place, and before I hand over the money what should I check before I purchase?
Can I some how run the motor or make sure it runs, how do I know its no a lemon?
Any help would be great.

compression check, leakdown test,inspect for visual damage,make sure that there isnt any oil in the plug holes or seeping from gaskets, check spark plugs to make sure they are not fouled and that the ceramic isnt pitted,if you have enough time pop off the valve cover and look for sludge(everything should have a goldish tinge to it),pull oil pan and look for more sludge or metal shrapnel(none should be there of either... an last but not least...POST PICS OF THE SWAP ON R3V

[mck]

thanks, will check everthing, I want a good motor, It got 3200 miles on it, and comes with everthing, well so he says.
I will definatle post some pics once I start, altought it wont be for about 6 months.