Many thanks for all the help with my question about potential engine swaps. I bought a 93 960 w/150K on Ebay that was a parts car because the timing belt had broke. I picked the car up and to my suprise there had been an attempt to repair it - the story is sketchy because he was listing it for his sister. She had a guy replace the water pump, timing belt, tensioner and had the "head fixed". I can tell the water pump is new the belt is on and lined up correctly but as I looked at it - it really does not look like head has been touched. It sounds wierd when you crank it like there is 1 cylnder that fires spoatically but the rest

What would be a logical next step?

Could it have flooded and the cylinders lost there oil seal (compression) Would a compression check reveal anything when the engine is cold?

I am wondering if the guy just replaced the pump and belt not knowing that the head would need valves etc.? If there were broken valves I don't think the guy would have cranked it for me to demonstrate the work was done and I think it would have sounded like a china cabinet tipping over.

Is there anything else I sould check before pulling the head?