Used engine + trans buying tips

[j-dawg]

Could be a fun project. I sorta feel like any vehicle with a decent 5.0 and transmission that you can drive will cost a fair amount just 'cause it's a vehicle with a decent 5.0 and transmission. Old Fords with 302s probably hold their value better than old Volvos with five-cylinder engines because they're simple and, at relatively low cost, can be made into something broadly desirable. Spent booku bucks fixing up an 850 and you've got an old Volvo that nobody wants except engineers looking for hobby cars.

I've noticed that this site has a pretty high percentage of engineers, and that all the compliments my car gets in public come from middle-aged men in polo shirts and glasses. These cars definitely have a type. I'm an engineer too, and someday I'll be in the polo shirt and glasses, complimenting slightly-ratty V60s at highway rest stops.

[rspi]

Into a V70?

No - old Ford ranger pickup that I got for free. I asked about generic tips for finding a good used engine (where to look and how to evaluate). What it is and what its going into shouldn't matter that much.

Just confused what was going on with a P80 Volvo. This is a Volvo forum and the post is in the P80 section.

I have purchased used engines a few times but was a little confused what was going on here.

Compression test is the only real gauge I use. Hard to do in the junkyard, but possible.

[98v70dad]

Into a V70?

No - old Ford ranger pickup that I got for free. I asked about generic tips for finding a good used engine (where to look and how to evaluate). What it is and what its going into shouldn't matter that much.

Just confused what was going on with a P80 Volvo. This is a Volvo forum and the post is in the P80 section.

I have purchased used engines a few times but was a little confused what was going on here.

Compression test is the only real gauge I use. Hard to do in the junkyard, but possible.

I posted a question about generic tips (since this is a volvo forum) for buying a used engine and people started asking questions. Sorry about the confusion - its my fault.

So I guess its best to buy local then - so you can do a compression test?