Wondering what one can look for in the EJ22 to get an idea on the overall condition of the motor.  Outside of trying to hand-turn the crank, what do you look for?

I look at condition of oil. I also look at color or the metal. If these engines sit outside after removal. The aluminum turns whitish and corroded. If you take some tools pull a valve cover and look inside and see if it looks clean or if it is all sludged up. Make sure crank spins freely with plugs out look for any signs of water sitting in the heads or around plug wells. Another indication of where its been stored at. Check t belt also if time permits. Its worth 10 minutes to pull covers and see whats goi g on in there.

If it still has oil in it, yes look at the condition.

The best thing is to take a 10mm wrench or socket with you and pull one of the valve covers off.

Timing belt could be a big deal depending on what year the engine is.

There is a VIN stamped into the block on the lower rear corner of the bell housing. 10th digit is the year. Take a VIN-year chart with you.

You can also google the VIN and usually get a Vehicle history report of some kind that may tell you the mileage of the vehicle the engine came from, and may help determine how long the engine has been sitting.

Great Suggestions.  Thank you.

Take the plugs out and rock the crank pulley back and forth with a breaker bar and a socket. You can actually "feel" a bad rod bearing this way sometimes. Next, screw your compression gauge in to each cylinder and see if you can build some pressure in each cylinder by hand using the breaker bar. If you like what you see so far take a look at the cams and then pull the oil pan and check the pick-up screen for debris.

Pull the oil pan.

 

Ive been burned too man times.

 

I won't buy an engine from a private party unless they let me pull the oil pan to inspect the rods and look for crap in the pan.