I am getting a used Van Nissan 99 Quest from a small time Dealer.
The Van had tons of miles (150K) and engine had some issue. So The
dealer is fixing a brand new engine (rebuilt) in the Van. We have
decided a certain amount to be paid by me for the Van for a brand new
engine rebuilt. (Not for 15K or 30K engine).

The Van is done and I want to make sure that engine is Brand new. I
have asked the dealer to show me some papers (proof of purchase of new
engine, serial number, VIN number on engine etc.) that can verify it.
But the dealer is not showing me that and saying that for brand new
engine, there is no such way of confirming it.
The engine, hoses etc looks new, (I can post a picture if required to right person)

How do I make sure that the engine is new and genuine? Is there VIN number for
rebuilt engine too?Is there serial number? How to make sure that it is
Nissan quest?s engine only and not any other make?
Also while during trial run, the engine makes scratching noise (like
metal scratching metal). this is during 10 to 45 miles. After 45mph
the noise goes away. comes back again in lower gear or on ramp. I
don't know what is that in new engine.

Any quick answers are appreciated, as I don?t have much time to complete the deal.

Thanks,
gavmandava-ga

Does your "dealer" have in house engine rebuilding capability. If not,
then he bought a rebuilt engine from a reliable rebuilder and there
would be a limited warranty (the warranty should be passed on to you).
From what you have said I think we all know that your dealer is not
telling the truth. The engine is almost certainly from a wreck.
However, that doesn't mean it isn't a good engine.

thx redhoss.
Dealer has a small family business of resale used cars. He picked up a
new engine and it costed about $2000 (99 Nissan quest V6 3.0). And got
it fixed by a mechanic. The labor cost was $1200. There is 90 days or
1 year warranty and the dealer is passing that to me. My only concern
is, how can I make sure that the engine is bramnd new and not have
like 10,000 miles on it? If it has miles, I am not paying full price.
It looks like there is no new VIN for just the engine. Unless the
experts know how to tell.

If it is "rebuilt" then it is NOT "brand new." A "rebuilt" engine is
an engine that has been fixed to run "like new."

Kriswrite

Kriswrite is quite correct, Gavmandava.

You are tossing about the words "new" and "rebuilt" as though they are
the same. They are not. A rebuilt engine is a used engine that has had
extensive work done to it to bring it to near-new condition. Properly,
this should include a complete teardown of the engine, refinishing the
cylinder bores, replacing worn pistons, rings, valves, springs,
lifters, gears, cams, blah blah blah. Google "engine rebuild
specifications" and you'll get a million descriptions, not all of them
matching.

Anyone who buys a used car who does not pay to have it checked out by
an independent mechanic is being foolish. Two weeks ago a friend
bought a used pickup from what he called "a very nice dealer, very
helpful and honest." I told him to get the thing checked out and he
pooh-poohed me, explaining, "The guy gave me a 30 day warranty and I
bought a one-year warranty."

The following Wednesday they towed the truck 'cuz it died. It still
isn't repaired. Sure, it's under warranty but my buddy is sans
transportation.

I told him. I said You Have Been Warned and There Were Signs From
Above, but he didn't listen. In fact, he still won't take it to a
mechanic when he gets it back because, he says, "It'll be all fixed up
then."

Some people you can't help no matter what. I've been nagging him for
20 years to take a few college courses but he insist "they can't teach
me anything I don't already know" and has "better ideas than those
eggheads." This is why he's 40, single, declared bankruptcy twice, and
still lives with his parents.

So take it to another mechanic, spend the 50 to 100 bucks to have it
thoughroughly checked, and THEN decide whether to buy it or not.

BTW engines have serial numbers, not a VIN. A VIN is a Vehicle
Identification Number and, as such, identifies a vehicle. A VIN tells
you manufacturer, year, origin, and a few other things of a car,
truck, motorcycle, etc.