Ok... scored an untested engine for real cheap from a wrecker. At worst case I can sell the diesel pump to get my money back and harvest the pushrods, cam and followers if it's no good. Or even the shortblock. It has has some rain go into it though in the past 2 days as the injectors were taken out so I turned it over by hand (which feels good, it's not rusted siezed or anything is just happened) and turned it upside down and turned it over so any water would come out the ports of injector holes. Some came out but no biggie. I'm was thinking of filling the cylinders with diesel tomorrow and then draining them out again similar to the water and using my long reach airgun to make sure their pretty clean. Pain in the butt, but it was cheap and everything is there and it looks pretty good. No way to tell really without installing it I think. As Rob said I need to take my other shortblock out anyways to get to the cam and lifters so I'll gamble 1 day to chuck this one in and see. I'll also use my USB endoscope to peer into the cyliners and make sure they look good, no cracks in the head for instance.
Bit of a gamble but it's just time I reckon. Water is a bummer, but the diesel pump that came with it will see me recoup all my money and then some and I can keep this shortblock or pushrods etc if needed. Has all the sensors and things too so sweet as.
Question is, I have a compression tester but it doesn't fit in the injector holes, they are far too bit. Anyone have any other suggestions? There is zero oil in the water and zero water in the oil. The bighorn I got it from had only minor damage but it's rego was over a year old so I'm hoping it had lapsed and that is why it was there. Slim chance, I bet it also has a cracked head but at least I get the parts I need. It was real cheap but I suppose you get what you pay for... most of the time