If it's out of the car without a starter on it, there is NO way to tell if it's good or not. If it's out and can turn over with the starter, take a compression test.

If it's in the car and runs, you don't need a compression test. Instead do this:

- start it cold. Watch for blue-white smoke at the tailpipe. That is worn valve stems and seals.

- Warm it up and Rap the throttle two or three time up to about 3000-3500 rpm. No blue-white smoke should come the tailpipe. That's bad rings

- Pull the breather hose off the top of the engine cover, and pinch the PCV valve closed. No smoke at all -- not even a little -- should come out of the breather. That's bad rings. On a A-engine a liitle oil droplets might come out, but no smoke.

Black smoke is a carb problem or ignition problem. Not a big deal if you know that.