So I have 2 FCs and one "doesn't run" as claimed by the PO. (I bought them both at the same time from the same guy) Is there anything I can do to test to see if the motor's good? Car doesn't have a radiator. And there appears to be a few/lot of unconnected cables in the engine bay, but that may be from the lack of radiator and battery. Oh and it's a 91.

 

do a compression test first on the running/working car

 

This is what i have always done: Try to get the starter at least working if not then get some one with some arms and a big breaker bar to spin the engine from the front, pull the plugs out and spin the motor, if theres a strong sucking sound then the motor should be gould enought to try and crank, remember you should get 3 strong sucking sounds on each rotor. this method is kinda ghetto but it works!

 

I should but for now it runs great. 190k miles and still going strong!

 

i just started my 2nd rx7 that had been sitting for 8 years needed a host of new parts like fuel pump, alternator, battery, atmospheric pressure sensor, intake elbow, clutch slave cylinder, brake master cylinder... but i picked it up for $300 so its worth it.