Is it crazy to buy a long block over the phone from a salvage yard in another state?

Having trouble finding one here in FL and all the JDM importers are out of stock.

All I have to go by is the VIN, pics, and the yard's word.

Found this one with a good VIN and low miles, but high asking price. Only 80k but looks dirty and rough for the mileage plus the engine mount has rust. What do you think?

 

https://www.hmotorsonline.com/shop/f...or-tranny-ecu/

 

 

personally, I wouldnt choose JDM or junk yard. I'd like to get one that came out of a fresh wrecked or parted out S2000 if possible.

 

 

I'd be concerned as that oil filter is not PCX-004 Honda branded. How has the engine been maintained? Unless its $500-$1000, and you're willing to roll the dice...
darcy

 

Rust on the crank pulley as well...how, where and for how long has this engine been stored? Looks like it has come out of an original 2000 model according to the VIN on the back of the block.

 

Appreciate all of the replies!

That cheap filter was the first turn off. Next was the rust on the pulley and the engine mount, then the overall dirt for 75k miles?

Here's why I was interested. Did the research, images below.

This thing looks like it was a one-owner, traded to a Subaru dealership last Oct 17'. Subaru had it for sale at $18k, sold it, and then the next guy literally totaled it at the end of the month Oct 17'.

Sold at auction to the junkyard on 1/30/18. When the junkyard got it, the hood was busted causing water to get in and it got rusted? Or they pulled it out and set it to the side with the other motors and it got shit all over it and possibly more water.

I'm taking a leap of faith with this theory, but the paperwork kinda proves it and I know it was super clean when Subaru sold it. So either the guy somehow trashed the shit out of it for a month before totaling it or the junkyard was just lazy on how they handled it for the last year and it got dirty.

Thoughts?

 

I think the latter is more likely - the junkyard handled it like junk even though its completely the opposite (utter idiots)
She seemed clean and well maintained (then again I'm just judging based on the pic and specs). If you were to buy it you should definitely remove rust from wherever it is now, do a full service on it and fire it up.
A big concern would be if any water actually made its way into the engine...you may end with a gem.

 

I don't think the rust looks that bad but a picture without the valve cover could be a good sign if there is any serious problems
Just for comparison one of my motor mounts looked way worse than that from only ~37000miles and well maintained.