by "Matthew Phillips" (flatsidewaysfl)
Published 05/03/2017 at 15:23
by "Matthew Phillips" (flatsidewaysfl)
Published 05/03/2017 at 15:23
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STARS: 2
That’s a good question, one I’ve been asking my self frequently weeks after acquiring project panther.
To catch you up to speed I bought a 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis for $300 that had 120k on the engine before the prior owner 2x back took it apart. When I say apart I meant the manifold, valve covers, and the front timing cover. . I bought it off of fellow Oppo and my FSFL cohost Forgecrownvictor or Forge as we call him on the show.
What in Gods good name made you do that ?
Honestly it was the fact that I missed my old Crown Victoria and My 87 Jeep isn’t the best for long hauls in terms of comfort and highway MPG. And the Pi heads that came with it.
PI heads !?!?
Yea, so the car came with PI heads from a 99 Mustang along with the stock NPI heads.
Are you going to use them ?
Well, no.
What ?
Let me explain, I was very excited to do the swap, but I can get much of my investment back by selling the PI bits and saving some time in the process.
So in other words
I’m a broke college student with other priorities, I can wait for a HI-Po panther When I can afford to, after I get this running I’m selling the jeep or it’s replacement to fund my.... other expenses
So what’s wrong with it
Well I need new timing guides and a plethora of Gaskets, also a very expensive tool to align the crank.
How are you swinging that ?
I have my resources
Do I regret this project, no. I would have regretted not buying it. If things look my way I might end up buying a new block and putting the heads on that. It’s not for everyone though. When looking at an unfinished project I guess in some cases it really has to be worth it for you in some cases in terms of cost and the vehicle. Considering I bought my old CV for $600 this isn’t so bad.
Didn’t that run though
Shut up
"Sovande" (sovande)
05/03/2017 at 15:33, STARS: 2
I am of the mindset that every car that is not new or lightly used is a “project.” I just picked up a 1987 El Camino and it is beautiful new paint, a fairly clean interior and a newish 350. I have had it for something like two weeks and have already rebuilt the front end, replaced the shock and have new springs on the way. I could have driven it as is, but the point in buying a car like that is to enhance it, make it your own and make the improvements that you want.
Keep up the good work!
"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile)
05/03/2017 at 15:34, STARS: 0
Just helped my dad do a swap of the plastic grill/headlight support/fascia piece on an ‘03 this past weekend. My aunt hit something and it had shattered.
"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
05/03/2017 at 15:35, STARS: 3
Unless it’s deeply discounted and/or dirt cheap it’s smart to stay away from other’s projects
"jasmits" (jasmits)
05/03/2017 at 15:38, STARS: 1
I think this hits the nail on the head on when it can be a decent choice to buy someone’s unfinished project. If it’s generally in one piece and comes with some desirable or newer parts, you’ll probably save compared with picking up some ‘ran when parked’ bullshit and buying the parts yourself. If it’s all torn apart in bits and I have no idea how it goes back together.. Yeah thanks but no thanks
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
05/03/2017 at 15:40, STARS: 2
it depends on what kind of project, and how far the previous owner was into it/along with it before they cut bait and run on it. if it was a stock, no fab project...... sure. if it is a drag car, with a fabricated frame, with questionable welds, and questionable geometry,, corner cut on expensive parts...... no, walk away, unless you are buying just the sheet metal at scrap prices. you will more than likely need to go back through the entire mess, and re-align, and reweld, just about everything, and check for true......
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
05/03/2017 at 15:50, STARS: 0
I’ve happily bought many projects from other people.
But all of them were running and driving and usually only mildly modified, and overall they were fun to work on and drive.
My friend, however, bought a cheap truck needing a new engine, put a lot of effort and money into it, and now he hates the truck, it still doesn’t run right, and it’s worth far less than what he spent.
So, it can be smart to buy an unfinished project, but it can be very stupid too.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
05/03/2017 at 16:05, STARS: 1
no, walk away, unless you are buying just the sheet metal at scrap prices.
Absolutely. The further the previous owner was into it the more you should have your guard up.
"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
05/03/2017 at 16:12, STARS: 0
I think I’m in the ‘absolutely buy somebody else’s project’ minority. It seemed to me those are always the best deals, somebody has put some time and cash into it and is selling at a loss. Now would I buy a Monte Carlo somebody turned into a convertible with a sawzall? Of course not, but you’re a big dummy if you won’t buy a cheap car just because somebody else took it apart.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
05/03/2017 at 20:28, STARS: 0
i have bought some spectacular stuff. most of it needing to be put back together........ i should have taken more pictures of some of the basket cases i have gotten......
this was one of the latest basket cases i bought. a small block 406. i bought it completely disassembled(bare block, bare crank, and an oil pan filled with the rods and miscellaneous nuts and bolts laying in it. on the plus side i got to inspect the mess.........
the further down that something is taken apart, the more you usually got to dig to find what it is that stopped the builder flat. usually it is some kind of catastrophic failure, and you just have to catch it....... to get the “SALE PRICE”...