Thread: how to spot a good engine?

The reality is ... you likely aren't doing much of these tests in a true salvage yard where you pull your own parts.

Here's how I spot a good motor. I call this the NorthStar test. Look at the car, was it in a major accident and the body is destroyed... that should be a good engine.

Now you are wondering why it's the N* test right? If you wander over to the Caddy section, you'll see something interesting. Hardly any of the cars with N* motors have any body or interior damage. The entire car will look pristine. Hence...the car has a NorthStar motor. The motor is crap and not cost effective to replace, and the car got scrapped.