[V8] What to do?

[Dave Saad]

It would take a special kind of crazy to proceed it sounds like. Bummer, because the 5-speed is such a fun ride.
I just stumbled across a 1991 (I think) V8 with only 72K miles. It still has the original timing belt - only it is not so much a belt any more. The motor will need a pretty extensive head job at a minimum. The bottom end is probably good though. The motor is clean and leak free and looks like it has never been touched. I didn't notice which brakes it had. The exterior is not great, but could easily be brought back, but the interior is 100% complete and perfect. All the factory manuals, tools, the phone, even the V8 wallet was there.
If you did want to proceed, this is a good rust free parts car or an easy restore. It is hard to understand how someone could not do that one required maintenance that resulted in a dead motor.

It is at one of those churchy charity donation places, and the sales guy thinks he is sitting on a gold mine. He will come around after a while...

If I had time, money, and space, it would be fun to restore for my kids. Unfortunately I have no time, money or space.

Dave

> On Jul 5, 2017, at 9:37 PM, radek at uniserve.com wrote:
> 
> Hello all;
> 
> I am at a crossroads of sorts, hoping to tap into group wisdom.
> 
> First, some background.  My project car is a 1991 V8Q 5-speed, pearl white.  I bought it in 2002 and drove it for a couple of years until fuel lines started leaking.  It also needed a timing belt, so I put it aside in the garage "until I find the time."
> 
> I got a running 1992 and kept the motor for a 4.2 swap.  Bought crankshaft holder, camshaft disks, as well as other assorted tools and parts, including brand new UFO disks and everything needed for a t-belt job.  Never found the time to do it, though.
> 
> Some three years ago the car had to be rolled out of the garage to make space for a lift.  It spent three humid Eastern Canadian winters outside.  Today, I put it on the lift, looked underneath and nearly cried.  So much rust!  All fuel and brake lines are disintegrating.  Same for the fuel tank.  I'm not sure if I can even remove the rear subframe without breaking the studs off the body.
> 
> It never crossed my mind that I might not revive the car.  However, after looking at the underbody today, I'm starting to doubt myself.  I'm not sure if I have the strength and time required to do the restoration.
> 
> My kids tell me to do a part-out, save the transmission, differential, perhaps stuff for a manual swap for someone.  Really, I don't know what to think anymore.  Perhaps one of you guys will have some ideas.  At least I got a chance to vent my frustration, thanks for listening.
> 
> Radek.
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Audifans V8 mailing list
> Send posts to: mailto:V8 at audifans.com
> Manage your list connection: http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/v8
> 
> You can help keep the audifans site running by shopping at http://audifans.com/shop/
>