I pulled the engine from my parts car, and i was wondering if there was any way i could test wether it was good or not, besides installing it in my car?

 

you could remove the leading spark plugs and turn the flywheel or the main pulley by hand. If you hear 3 even "pssssshhh" sounds coming from each rotor, then the engine has some life left in it. If the "psssshhh" sounds are really weak, the engine sux. This is the poor mans compression test. You could also hook up a tranny and starter to the engine. By powering the starter, the engine will rotate and you can get a compression test with an actual gauge. Hope this helps.

 

I took one of my EXPLODED trannies and gutted the case. Now I bolt up the case and starter and viola` instant compression checks are possible. John

 

i took the engine/tranny out in one piece so it's all together, starter, tranny, etc.... what should the compression be on each rotor?

 

Cold, anything above 90 PSI is good. you are looking for consistancy between the individual rotor faces and the front and rear rotor.