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He wasn't there, but the receptionist told me that everything was going well so far. The engine checked out fine, although she couldn't tell me what, exactly, was making the oil pressure light come on at idle. The oil leak is so minor that they don't even recommend messing with it...which is what my old mechanic told me years ago (the one who had me put 20W-50 in it). So, nothing catastrophic...yet!
Unless the rear main is just pouring out oil every night (it usually only leaks when the car is not operating), I wouldn't mess with it. Sometimes putting in a new seal by "snaking" one around with the oil pan off just makes the problem worse. And if there is crankshaft play, which is typical of an old engine, it'll never seal up right. A new seal, done properly with the flywheel off, will hold for a while but if the crank is shifting, it's going to leak again.
So it's always a hit and miss thing with an older engine. Sure if it's a drastic leak you have no choice but otherwise, I'd use cardboard and kitty litter--cheaper by far.
I bought this car in April, 1994, and at that point it only had about 1,000 miles on the rebuild. I've put about 10,000 on it since then. Is a rear main seal something that normally gets replaced in a rebuild?
Anyway yeah, the oil leak itself is VERY minor. I'm sure that some new car leak more than this on the showroom floor! It's the transmission leak I was worried about. Oh, he also discovered the power steering is leaking...hopefully that's nothing too major.
If you haven't spent $3,000--$4,000, you don't a real rebuild.
Rebuild -- everything replaced or re-machined to exact factory spec, whether it needed it or not.
Overhaul -- worn parts replaced, but parts still in permissable specification range left alone, everything cleaned up.
1000 miles on stock 400 rebuild
- New pistons and rings
- New rod, main, and cam bearings
- New timing chain and gears
- New water pump
- New oil pump and screen
- New Pontiac blueprint Ram Air cam and lifters
- Rebuilt 4-barrel Rochester Carb (Original 2-barrel and intake included)
- Heads rebuild, block machined (All machine work done by NAPA)
I have no idea how much it ended up costing, as it was done before I bought the car. It also had a freshly rebuilt transmission (although a bit sloppy I guess, as it's always leaked), recent dual exhaust, a new top (but the top motor wasn't working), and a new paint job (not the best in the world, but not a $99 Earl Scheib either).
So I'm guessing that someone dumped a ton of money into the car and then ran into money problems and had to unload it. I paid $3775 for it back in 1994, and I'm sure the used car lot I bought it off of paid a lot less than that, so the previous owner must have really taken a bath! Probably would have been best off just junking the car, rather than sink all that into it and then have to unload it. Although I'm glad they didn't do that, because then I wouldn't have it today! :shades:
I'm all in at this point. I won't relist at this time. It will wait till Spring. I've been contacted by maybe 7 people. A few wanting to come check it out, but no actual interaction beyond email. 4 or 5 have given me the impression they are waiting till after the auction. I guess they probably feel if it doesn't sell, they can come in with a lowball. That's my guess, anyway.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
That's what I ended up doing with the two cars I bought on eBay. With both my '79 5th Ave and '76 LeMans, I ended up being the highest bidder, but didn't make reserve. So I ended up contacting the sellers, and we just worked out a price that seemed agreeable to us both. And in both cases, it wasn't much higher than what the high bids were. I think I bid the Chrysler up to $703. Got it for $900. Bid up the LeMans to about $2500. Agreed on $3000.
Here is an '87 in Alabamy for $2500
Lots of miles, but the interior looks pretty good, at least.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Amusingly colored non-mopar Andremobile
With an ad like this, you know it must be good
Hasn't sold yet...has to be a breeze to find parts for
This "classy classic" hasn't found a buyer either
This is worth what, a quarter?
Why are there apparently no bids on this ??
Should my answer be:
a) You must be new. We don't let newbies see the bids.
b) It is a silent auction.
c) I'm saving up my bids for an iTunes giftcard.
d) I've had bids, but then deleted them, tracked down the bidder, and killed them.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Maybe it could be rented as a storage shed for that Isuzu.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Where do I find a part for an Isuzu Bellel? Where do I find an Isuzu dealer? Where is Japan? Where in Japan do I go? Where in that city are the parts? Oh, you're all out. I'll come back.
Oh I thought the Mustang has been in the same location for 47 years! He means the dealership. Ohhhhh.....
1980 Jaguar -- what's it worth? Well I dunno. What are they paying for landfill in Kent?
Here some from vancouver:
Rare Audi cabrio
The biggest boat of them all
Funny ad and youtube video
andre mobile
Hillman Minx
fintail for fintail
Parked for 26 years
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
That Cougar looks like a nice car, for the price.
That Cordoba has to be right at home in Chwk.
Audi is a lost cause, MG looks a bit out there too.
Good humor in the Jetta ad, and I agree, for the money that Cougar should be doable for someone.
Engine Seized. My husband drove the car without oil.
Best Offer. If it a great offer husband included!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
78 Cougar -- demo derby, here we come. Fear no man.
The Cordoba always reminded me of two cars from different manufacturers welded together. At least in profile. A Chevford. A Plymobile.
57 Hillman-- to be placed in a container and sent to UK, where rust repair is thought of as general annual maintenance and where a Hillman gets some (modest) respect.
63 Benz Diesel -- how slow can you go? charming in its own way--is that color original? Only downside---the engine is very rough and very noisy. It's the hammers of hell in there. I'd pay $1,500 for it, not a penny more.
67 MGB GT -- great year, has overdrive and minilites---it just *might* be worth restoring. Too bad it's refrigerator white, but if you're taking her down to bare metal, you could change that. Potentially worth $20K in show condition. You could break out even if you did everything yourself. But you're talking hundreds and hundreds of hours here. Maybe just go buy one?
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Got $4500 cash. All I had to do was drive it to his house and take his 560SL for a spin around the block at his request. Like I said, real nice guy. We could have BS'd for hours about cars if we had the time. I hope he and the Alfa take good care of each other. I was sad to be driving it for the last time, but I think its for the best.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Congrats. That was a good price I think all things considered (time place economy car alignment of stars, etc.)
So now you know if you sink $40,000 into a $4500 Alfa you'll make about $7,500 :P
Was it off craigslist, or ebay?
All I had to do was drive it to his house and take his 560SL for a spin around the block at his request
:confuse: Was that a condition of the sale, or was he just showing you his collection?
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Well, I'm sure he would have bought the car even if I didn't drive his.
He saw it on Ebay. Also had a guy planning to drive down from way up North Jersey on Sunday who saw it on Craigs. I called him Sat afternoon to let him know it was gone.
We chatted briefly on the phone the day prior. He told me a bit about what he had on hand. I expressed an interest in all of his vehicles. He showed up on the SL. We talked some while he absorbed the aesthetics of the Alfa. He asked about the mechanical condition beyond the ad I wrote (several times he mentioned how he appreciated the thoroughness of my ad and felt he knew just about everything he needed to). While expanding on a few points, I drew some contrasts to his Benz. Also threw in how I've looked at those SLs, but the 560 scares me.
He continued to poke around the Alfa a bit, we went for a 5-minute test drive, he checked all the electrics, then asked me my bottom line. He never looked under the car or under the hood.
I explained how my bottom price on Ebay was $4400 but I'd have to pay fees, so I'd take $4300 cash. He said, "Tell ya what. If you can follow me home, we'll go to the bank, and I'll give you $4500." I said that was fine. He then added, "You have to do one more thing, though. Take my car for a drive. I insist. I think you'll really like it." I did one quick spin while he waited in my driveway. Didn't even go as far as we drove the Alfa. Wanna hear something odd? I don't fit in the SL as well as the Alfa! That was a shocker to me. And its a maybe not-so-remarkably numb car. Would be a nice top-down cruiser, though. But I'll never imagine it as a "sportscar" ever again. And that was pretty much his take, and why he wanted the Alfa.
Also said he had driven a couple of MGBs and found them to be TOO elemental. Liked the civility of the Alfa much more.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Hmmm.... track car possibility? Or am I dreaming?
I mean, stock, we're talking 110hp but in a svelte 2300lb car. I'd have to do some research, but does anyone know of the top of their heads engine swap candidates? There is always the SR20, but a 30hp bump doesn't seem worth the work. Unless it already IS an SER??? How could one tell? Didn't seem like anything special on the outside. A stripper model, really. Hmmm... maybe I'll have to swing by again and check for rear disc brakes.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
And here's a regular '90 Sentra:
The whitewalls on that low-ish profile (70 versus 75 series), plus the overlapping chrome trim rings that came with the rally wheels really minimize the black of the sidewall. At a quick glance, it's actually a bit reminiscent of those blingy 22 and 24's that people love to put on old cars, but still much more tasteful.
My mechanic was also able to find a correct air cleaner assembly and choke, from a local GTO specialist. My car had the choke completely removed...guess it's a miracle it wasn't harder to get started on those cold mornings! It also had an aftermarket air cleaner assembly that's open all around, and undersized, and just not correct. The mechanic said it was messing up the way the car runs. He also told me to bring in the original 2-bbl intake manifold and air cleaner, just so he could see how everything was originally supposed to run. I still had that junk stashed away, and when I dug it out, something about the air cleaner didn't seem right, somehow. It looked like it should've been on something a few years older. And sure enough, it was. My mechanic ID'ed it as coming off a 1965 Pontiac. So I guess my car's more pieced together than I thought!
Anyway, I'm excited to get it back! Although I hope it doesn't go on the credit card until after the 10th of October, because then I won't have to pay for it till December! :shades:
SR20 variants (JDM DE, roller rocker, DET, VE) are the swap to do for a B13. The older CA18DE might be fun if it's a B12 and you can find an intact Pulsar to borrow from.
well, it definitely didn't have a spoiler, so if that's a definitive way to know, then there is my answer.
In any case, I'm putting this off. With the market problems and now a big shakeup here at the office, I need to sit tight on the car front.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
VW, Looks nice, but not running
This looks ok, too bad there's not more pics
Rare 5.7L Diesel
Another rough Chevelle
Your '67 Catalina upgrades do sound exciting (I'm curious as to total cost, but it's NOMB). cheers, woody
The Diesel looks to be in decent shape. I wonder how it runs.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Those rust belt Chevelles are pretty brutal.
GA16DE, the engine found in regular old boring '90s Sentras.
otoh, it was just i case you don't watch 'my classic car'.
I think 75-series tires tend to "puff out" a bit more at the sidewalls, whereas the 70-series don't. Unless they're mounted on too-small rims. That might be one thing that looked a bit odd to me about the Catalina when I saw it was that I had gotten used to that "puff out" I guess. The tires that were on it were 215/75/R14 whitewalls, and I think the rim was only 6" wide. The new tires, at 225 section width, really aren't that much wider. 10 mm is what, like .4 inches? But then the new rims are an inch wider, so the sidewalls just seem so much flatter.
Your '67 Catalina upgrades do sound exciting (I'm curious as to total cost, but it's NOMB). cheers, woody
Actually, I'm kinda curious as to the total cost, too!
Oh, and one other issue. The Rally wheels I bought for the car last year at Carlisle, while they were the correct bolt pattern (comparatively rare 5", instead of the 4.75" used on compacts and intermediates and ponycars), didn't have the right center caps. The caps were held in place with a bolt and thread in the back that interfered with the bearing hub, so the mechanic had to work around that. And the chrome lugnuts they gave me were 7/16", which I guess is what the midsize and smaller cars used, versus 1/2", which my car uses.
I'm guessing once it's said and done, this trip to the mechanic will run $2-3K, maybe a little more? I can't complain though, because I've gotten by pretty cheaply with that car over the years. I've put maybe $2200 into it over the 14.5 years I've had it. ~$700 for some front-end work and new engine mounts back in 1994, ~$500 for some brake work and tinkering with the a/c and heater controls, ~$350 for the rally wheels I bought last year, and the rest of it was just little stuff like batteries, oil changes, belts and hoses, registrations, etc.
Doing the math, I figure the car has cost me about $35 per month, once I factor in the $3775 I paid for it. (but not including gasoline and insurance). So I guess in the long run, that's pretty cheap entertainment!
It's a LOT of work to be sure but you could build yourself a very nice, if unauthentic, classic car that can be modified to approximate a modern car's comfort and safety.
You'll be unique
Nice "classic", lovely color combo too
Quite a few of these seem to have survived in decent shape around here...a twin to a car I deeply admired as a little kid
Why do people swap out steering wheels...never looks right
This is unusual