The engine was loose. What I got was an almost complete bike in baskets, a frame, and an engine. I don't know how it was stored, but probably not very well.
I had a pair of wheels that had tires on them, and using them, I put everything together enough so that it looked pretty much like a complete bike --
PICS BELOW. This was so I could get a sheriff's inspection, which is the first step in getting a bonded title -- the sheriff will only sign off on "complete vehicles."
Without an engine stand, the engine-in-frame-on-wheels made a good, stable substitute, making engine disassembly, stuck-on case cover removal, clutch removal, rotor removal, removal of head bolts, etc. easier. It also made repeated rotations of the 340 degree crank easier, which is what really lead to the successful freeing-up of the engine in this case.
BTW: Here's how to get a bonded title for a vehicle that is "out of the Texas system" because it was last registered before computers:
Stop one: Sheriff's inspection, Auto Theft Unit -- free.
Stop two: So-called "Letter of Rejection" from the state DMV -- a letter that says they can't provide a new title because there is no old title -- $15.
Stop three: Title Bond from insurance agency -- $100
Stop four: county tax office to apply for bonded title -- payment of tax on my "claimed" purchase price, and various fees -- this is for a title ONLY, no registration fees, because I'm not paying for it to be road legal -- that can be done once a vehicle is running and inspected -- $45.50.
Four different locations I had to go to. It just so happens that all four locations are fairly close to me, otherwise I'd never bother to do this. The lines everywhere were short, so the whole thing took less than 4 hours. And a total cost of $160.50.
The first stop, getting the inspection, was done with bike in my El Camino. All the rest of the running around done on motorcycle on a beautiful day.
This was all so that I can sell the frame as being titled. Hardly worth the trouble, but I know the process, it was a 72 frame, and I know that if I didn't do it it would never get done, and the frame would end up being melted down. I'd never do this for a 74 and later frame.