Mike; Yeah, auto trannies are harder to check than engines. But on the engine side, I will pull the oil pan and look at what is inside. Is it full of crud, signs of overheating, etc. I will then pull the 5/6 rod and neighboring mains. If it's gonna toss it's cookies, that where it will do it. You can get a pocket scope to look down a cylinder. Not cheap, but not expensive either. PAW and Summit carries them as well as JC Whits. Pull a plug or two, look at the tip (look deep inside the electrode) and then peek inside the cylinder. Out side of that, I guess its up to the reputation of the boneyard if they will stand behind their engines. There is a large yard out here-abouts that has a home made stand and they will put the engine on it and run it for you. That is the only one I know of that will do that.....Russ _______________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today! http://vote.yahoo.com