How do I tell what condition the turbo is in when buying a TC?

Hey guys, I am looking to purchase a TC in the near future, and need to know what to look for, particularly concerning the turbo.

MY understanding is that if the turbo is frozen up the engine won;t run, or run very badly.

Is this the case?

Thanks!

If the turbo is bad, it will run. But it will be a dog. To check the turbo, you need to take the compressor inlet elbow off and check for shaft play, bent/chipped fins, and see if it spins free with no binding. What are the symptoms? Might be an easier solution.

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White 88 5-spd. loaded w/o leather. .60/.63 T-3, full 3" exhaust, ported big exhaust valve head, ranger roller cam, K&N in front of the radiator, gutted upper, knife edged lower. Future mods...EEC tuner, wideband O2, lots to do on the suspension.

I was just loking for genral purpose right now, I looked at a REALLY crusted over 83 XR7 the other day and was wondering how to tell if the turbo was operational...

If it were banging the turbine around, woudn;t you hear that?

This one actually fired right up and throttled up smoothly, but it was in horrible shape...

Was just curious to know for the next one I look at.

Thanks!