Wanted: a new engine, or, For Sale: great parts car

[motownbrowne]

Hey everyone, I am sad to say that I have finally fried the engine on my 83 SR5 tercel at 320k. I'm not exactly sure what's wrong with it, my girlfriend was borrowing the phone the day they had it in the shop and when they called she stopped paying attention at "replace the engine". I trust the mechanic that it was at, and personally I don't have the skills or the gumption to take it apart and try to figure it out myself, nor can I afford a rebuild. It does still run, though it blows blue smoke out the back and is now consuming 1.5qts of oil per 100 miles. The rest of the car is in great condition, however, and in the last 2.5 years of our time together, I took care of it well, spending lots of money maintaining/upgrading as I went. Having moved out of the place I was living in California where I needed 4wd regularly, and having found a great deal on a 93 honda accord, I am not really interested in fixing the Tercel for personal use. What I am interested in is either finding a good running engine to install and selling the car as a running vehicle with a low mileage engine, or selling the cars for parts. In response to this post I am interested in hearing ideas that any of y'all have about this situation, or offers on the car as is. The things that I have done in the last 2 years include: fuel pump, water pump, radiator, hoses, and thermostat, CV axles, tie-rod ends, front shocks, front brakes, alternator, distributor cap and rotors, exhaust, muffler, and cat. Also, about 8k miles ago I scored some 14" aftermarket alloy rims and put some 195/65/14 Zexius xi 427s on them. I also have the stock rims with a set of driveable tires on them and a set of snow tires on rims also. The car drives great, even at 75mph, which was not the case when I bought it. anyone have any ideas on how to proceed from here? I am located in Olympia WA, and would be happy to get rid of the car soon. I have spent upwards of 3grand on the above components and labor to install them. Obviously I will never see most of that money again, but I would like to get a little bit for the car. Please feel free to give me a call at 715-222-3237 or send me an e-mail at motownbrowne@gmail.com if you are interested in the car or have ideas for an engine. Also, I do have access to some low mileage drivetrain components; I think they are on an 84, but I could try to grab the trans, differentials, etc, either to install with a new engine for sale as a drivable car, or else potentially as part of the deal as a parts rig.

[dlb]

i say sell it as is, simply because anything else is a headache. but, in case you're a miser like me:

1) you could probably only get $500 for it as a parts car
2) putting another engine in will likely run $1000
3) a good running T4 in excellent condition inside and out could grab $2500

so if you invest the $1000 in it, you could POSSIBLY make another $1000 on it. however, you never know if that will happen, and putting the engine in might run more than that. i would personally say screw it and cut the losses.

hope that helps!

[ohcanada_00]

i have a buddy rebuilding a wagon right now that might be able/interested to pick the whole thing up from you if thats the route you decide. Dont know but I'll pass on the info!

[motownbrowne]

ohcanada_00, let me know if your friend is interested, I would like to be done with it.

ryan

[ohcanada_00]

he got back to me this morning and is about as broke as I am. Sorry...stupid economy....

[Petros]

I might be interested in it, but I can not get it anytime soon. I will be driving through Olympia in the next 3 or 4 weeks however, perhaps I can stop and take a look at it. And we can talk price. I have rescued a number of T4wd from the wrecking yard, and I think your might be savable, but I need to see it. PM me if you want to work out dates.