Here's another salvage yard that actually has what they say they have. I needed an engine for a 2007 Trailblazer and the engine that had the lowest mileage was not available. They explained it as the listings are slow to get updated. I just checked and that listing has been removed so it checks out.
I walk up to the counter and ask for the engine, they check to make sure it's there, which it is, and then ask for my ID so I can be allowed into the yard. They give me a cone that signifies that I have signed in and am legit. They point me back to the pole barn in the back that houses the engines and to ask for Ronaldo. I walk up there and Ronaldo is talking to someone in a vehicle. He yells in my direction and I ask if he's Ronaldo, he says yes and he gets into the forklift to go pull my engine. He comes back in a couple minutes and shows me the engine. It looks good. He then pulls a pipe wrench out and turns the engine over a couple times to let me see that it turns over. I can hear the compression sounds in the engine as he's turning it - another good sign.
Be aware that the intake duct could be full of sand and debris. Mine was and it was packed all up against the throttle body. Luckily, none of it got past the butterfly. Secondly, the oil drain plug might be missing - when you get the engine right side up, it will dump whatever oil is left in the engine onto the floor. Be prepared.
Other than that, it was a relatively easy transaction, pricing was accurate and I'll need to get the old engine out and returned to get my warranty.
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