85 tercel wagon 4wd

[jp1985]

I have been looking for weeks now and haven't found much in my price range that wasn't total beater or total miles hog. Late last nite i was combing CL and this came up.

http://salem.craigslist.org/cto/3010621724.html

i was thinking it may be a good candidate for an engine over haul? or even a new engine if the problem couldn't be fixed would that be costly or would it just be cheaper to keep looking.
what types of engine did the 85's have or what types could it be swapped with i am not very mechanically inclined but i have a really cheap mechanic who is a family friend who could probably do it for me for cheap.


He said it had 291k on it is it worth trying to save one with many miles on the body and parts?

thanks guys.

JP (tercel Newbie)

[North of 64]

JP, the listing in your link has been removed

[jp1985]

here is what the ad said.

85 toyota tercel 4wd runs and drives. overheats, took the head off had it resurfaced, pressure tested and valves reseated and still overheats after driving across town. Bought another block but don't have the time to change out. You can drive it home or tow it home fix it or use it for parts. 4wd works, so does low.
he was only asking 450 for it.

it had 291,000 miles on it. I pulled the ad because i accepted someone's offer (they say they will be by later)... The engine as far as i know has no other issues, 291,000 miles on the car. the driver window needs glued back into the bracket ( it rolls down but you have to pull it back up while rolling the handle). Needs a new battery, struts should also be replaced. nothing else that i know of, my daughter drove it for three weeks around town.

thats all he said to me he wont reply or give me his phone number! add still works for me for some reason i dunno lol. do you guys think this would be worth taking a look at and picking up if it can be fixed? or should i pass.

thanks

JP

[saltyman413]

Sounds to me like he already sold it, but if i were in your shoes I'd try to get it. First thing I'd do is flush the radiator and entire cooling system. A lot of times people overlook the simple fixes and just straight to a worst case scenario fix. It might only take a $20 flush kit to fix the problem.

Good luck

[jp1985]

He hasn't heard back from the guy and he gave him til tonight to come and get it and pay for it. he said he would call me when he finds out otherwise im next on the list. i dunno i am a bit nervous that many miles on it and needs engine work do you guys think it would be worth it?

JP

[dlb]

if you have a competent mechanic who is willing to work for cheap, then sure, go for it. like saltyman said, it may be a quick, cheap fix, and if it's not, rebuilding the engine won't break the bank. i would do a compression test to check the condition of the rings/cylinders and run the engine and listen for any knocking or slapping sounds, which would indicate crank or rod bearings needing replacement. it might be an idea to do the pistons, rings, and bearings while the engine is out but if $$$ is an issue, you don't want to replace anything that doesn't obviously require it. it's up to you.

the other problems listed (driver window, battery, and struts) are all easy stuff. only takes a couple minutes to remove the door trim and pull the window and regulator out. battery only takes a minute to pull and replace. struts take a bit more work but can be replaced in an afternoon.

i couldn't see the ad either.

[jp1985]

yeah just waiting to hear back from him to see if the first buyer comes back. the 290k miles sort of worries me though ;/. i know i am going to have to put some cash into it if i buy this one. anyone know about how much a engine rebuild cost or a new crate engine?

thanks

JP

[jp1985]

well he re-listed it.

http://salem.craigslist.org/cto/3010621724.html

[andrewrenow]

Buy it. It seems like a great deal. It comes with an extra head. If your capable of doing it yourself it shouldn't cost more than $100 for parts

[aflineman]

Buy it. It comes with an extra block, so you can tinker with that, assemble it, and get it back on the road. Lower rebuild kits are cheap(er), and not all that hard to do. If I had not fallen into the deal I did from a relative, I would be looking at it for parts for mine.

[Petros]

great buy, go get it! I would say try a new thermostat and radiator flush (or a replacement radiator). Replacing the head gasket is not that difficult of a job, follow the procedure I have over in the repair guilds section. Synth and I did it in about 3 hours! (your time will be higher, but it can be done on a saturday with just a head gasket and basic tools, and a torque wrench).

Well worth it, time to save that one before it goes to the wrecking yard.