Don't make the mistake I made and buy a 4A with ruined thrust washers.
They say the engine was overhauled 20k ago, all right, but how much was
done? My engine (also on a 100k mile car) was rebuilt with new pistons
and had great compression, but the first time I changed the oil I saw
little metal bits in the filter. Little did I know that the thrust
washers were sitting in the pan and I'd eventually have to replace block
and crank.
Here's what to check: with the engine running, look at the area just
behind the lower pulley where the pulley hub enters the timing cover.
Turn the trottle shaft a little to rev it up. If you see that crank move
forward at all, the engine is in big trouble. Mine could move about the
thickness of a piece of corrugated cardboard.
Other than that, try to do a normal engine compression check.
It's a reasonable price for a good example.
John Middlesworth
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