Just checking myself here...

[massivewangers]

...play in a turbo shaft is obviously a bad thing...

...that includes play "in and out" too yes?

[cozmeister]

Side to side is OK, as long as it's less than about 1mm.

In and out means you need your Visa card.

[massivewangers]

Someone said if it has no oil in (which it doesn't), this might allow some play, though I am dubious of that myself.

It's in and out (parallel with the shaft) so not a good sign. So much for it having done a few hundred miles since CR Turbos had it for a rebuild then. I was supposed to get the receipt for the work but didn't. Though it looks pretty clean and everything.

And I though someone with a high post count on a well-known Ford forum would be pretty sound 

[Fireball]

Someone said if it has no oil in (which it doesn't), this might allow some play, though I am dubious of that myself.

It's in and out (parallel with the shaft) so not a good sign. So much for it having done a few hundred miles since CR Turbos had it for a rebuild then. I was supposed to get the receipt for the work but didn't. Though it looks pretty clean and everything.

And I though someone with a high post count on a well-known Ford forum would be pretty sound 

Yea, in and out tis bad. I'd write a strongly worded email.....

[cozmeister]

You can always ring CR Turbos and ask if they did it.

[Fireball]

You can always ring CR Turbos and ask if they did it.

That's a bloody good idea that. I assume they record Serial numbers

[cozmeister]

That's a bloody good idea that. I assume they record Serial numbers

Customer names just as likely.

[massivewangers]

I've asked him to send the invoice (as he promised to), so when I receive that, I'll give them a call and see if they have any record of the job and see what they say about it.

To be honest, I'd expect better of the person involved, as the play is quite pronounced, and there was no mention in the ad or when I contacted him about it. He just said it had done less than 900 miles since he had the work done to it and that he had the bill of sale.

Not nice to chuck someone a wad of cash in good faith and to receive something that doesn't seem like it should!

[cozmeister]

At least you checked...there's plenty who'd have bolted it straight on.