It now runs strong and powerful, rides nice and solid, excellent handling, smooth and quiet. All of mechanical issues are now fixed and almost all of the chassis problems corrected. here is a list of new or recent parts replaced in the last 2 weeks, or within the last 6000 miles of driving:
Installed rebuilt head with new valve stem seals, reground valve seats
New cam shaft seal and front main seal
New timing belt
New thermostat
New radiator w/radiator hoses
New master brake cylinder (all new brake fluid)
New rear wheel brake cylinders (all other brake components in great shape)
New front brake flex hoses (old ones were scary bad)
New clutch, throw out bearing and pilot bearing
New rear engine main seal
New (not remanufactured) front CV axles
new front KYB struts (gas filled rear shocks in excellent condition)
new (low mile used) steering rack, new power steering fluid
New outer tie-rod ends
New steering boots
New ball joints
New front wheel bearings and seals
New battery
recent oil change and oil filter, and antifreeze
recent spark plugs and wires
recent new alternator
ignition timing set @ 10 deg
Good functioning distributor and a working vac advance!
front end Alignment just done
Replaced old carb with used one that is in excellent condition (runs perfect)
Replaced trans with low mileage excellent condition transmission, new rear output shaft seal and gear oil
New wipers
recent exhaust system including cat and rear muffler (2008 but not driven for more than about 6,000 miles since)
All lights, switches and other accessories working (I had to fixed interior dome light, bad contact)
Aftermarket quality am/fm/cassette radio (works well but display not working well)
Replaced sagging aftermarket rear hatch struts with excellent used factory hatch struts (hatch stays open now!)
Interior in great shape, only small tear in driver's seat side wing.
Body rust free with only a few parking lot type dings on the sides, paint is in excellent condition (no clear coat peeling at all!), All the glass is good, no cracks, all side windows roll up and down good, the windshield has the tinted visor.
includes cargo cover in the back.
front tires in good condition, fairly recent, rear tires worn but drivable (victim of bad alignment so rotated them to rear, the alignment is now good).
I have not decided on a price yet but all the new parts and a lot of labor into it, and its good condition I am thinking If I advertise it on Craig's list to put it in the $2900 range (with all the new parts it is likely worth more). Or make an offer. It should drive many miles with little to no trouble other than maintenance.
On the drive up from California to home, it got about 30 mpg fully loaded and driving about 75 mph average. In 1250 miles or so, it used over a quart of motor oil which will likely improve over time or with a seafoam treatment. The car sat for about 4 years which likely is causing the oil rings to stick. when the head was off the bores were in excellent condition, you could still see the factory hone marks and there was zero ring ridge, so there was no detectable wear in the bores. this was also not the original engine but likely an imported low mile engine, it is in great shape now, all new seals and valve job. Oil consumption is a bit higher than I would expect, so it is likely just needs a seafoam flush.
If no one on the forum wants it I will put it on Craig's list in the Seattle market, so as always forum members get first crack. I must sell this car fast to finance another trip!