More HELP V6 overheat

[cdk84]

Thanks to all who responded to my first post.

Turns out the clutch and clutch hydraulics are shot.

That's relatively minor: head gasket it gone, too. (gaskets? don't know yet)

Seller says his mech can fix for $1.5-2 K and he'll split this with me ($1 K) or let me out of the purchase.

My thoughts: if the clutch is fixed I could drive the 500 miles home, but I'd rather have my mechanic do the head work. Also, "since I'm in there" I'd like to put in a lightened flywheel.

First: is the engine damaged, having been driven with a blown head gasket (don't know how long --seller is not a car guy, wouldn't recognize symptoms)?

Second: would I further damage engine driving 500 miles highway home?

Third: should I just let the car go, or is it worth another $1K above 7.5 purchase price? Car *is* CA rust free Series V with somewhat built V6 (performance cam, 4 bbl), heavy duty rad, rebuilt brake calipers, Martha Wheat (gray with blue piping) interior, nice [not OEM color] paint, roll bar...

It's not an easy call to make for me. If I add up the parts, the price seems a bit high, once the new work is done, but it's then a running riving car in pretty good shape. I would put in shocks and a couple of other things, but nothing expensive.

Fourth: what's a V6 Alpine worth in good shape?

Fifth: THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR INPUT

Cheers, David / Fin Fan

 

[MikeH]

What are the symptoms? How do you know the gasket(s) is/are blown?

 

[V6 JOSE]

Hi David,

I highly recommend not driving the car at all, 'till the head gasket is fixed. You would run the risk of ruining the engine.

A V6 Alpine is worth a little more than a stock Alpine in the same condition is. I don't think $8.5K is too much for a good running V6 Alpine, that is in as good a condition as you describe.

The only other question I would ask, is whether the engine is a 2.8, or a 2.6, because to me, the 2.6 is going to cost more to repair, should it require it. The smaller engine would drop the price, in my opinion.

Jose

 

[cdk84]

V6 Overheat Part Deux

Jose & Mike H:

Thanks for the quick esponses.

As for the engine, Jose, it's a 2.8, coupled to a 5 speed from a '91 Mustang. Rear end is Tiger with 3.77 ratio.

There is no way that I can determine from here that the head gasket is blown (me: Massachusetts, car: Philadelphia). I am at the mercy of the seller's mechanic at the moment. (I have yet to speak with him to determine his reason for the diagnosis)

I could pay $700 to tow the car here, but then I would own it, no matter what the damage(s) to the engine. If I took that route I would not pay the guy any more money, rather he would knock $1K off the $7.5 K price. BUT I would be stuck with the car, damaged or not. Seems like a bit of a gamble to me, until I can be sure of the seller's / mechanic's integrity. I'm not questioning them, but I the seller is an unknown entity to me, he is not a club guy, nor, as I said, is he knowledgeable about cars.

There are so many horror stories about cars on ebay that I want to be cautious. I'm buying this car because I like V6s, it's a decent car -when fixed (my favorite four-letter words are 'rust free') and I want something to drive for the next couple of years until my other projects are finished. That said, $8.5 isn't excessive, but it's wasted if the car spends its next four months off the road, ya know what I mean?

Thanks again.

Great Day, All
David / Fin Fan

 

[Ken Ellis]

Well, in some manner it's broken, and it's going to cost either time or money to fix. You might propose the $1K per player fix as a cap on what you will pay for them to deliver a running vehicle that passes a compression test/rod knock test/combustion-byproducts-in-the-coolant test. (You pick the verifying mechanic in the PA area.) If it doesn't after they go through the process, it's their money they spent, not yours -- you walk away (or re-negotiate.) If it does, then you've got at least what you thought you were buying in the first place, although for more cash than planned.

If you rent a truck and trailer from Ryder, is it 700 with gas? Do you have a buddy with a hankerin' for a road trip? Getting it to you won't be free, but you might be able to beat that 700.

Rust-free, presentable inside and out, etc. is worth some money, especially if you want to drive right away...

Ken in Columbus