[chevylr]

I bought the 71 Chevelle and had it at a dealership this morning prior to purchase for a total inspection. It's not perfect but what they stated didn't deter me from purchasing it as I know this a 34 year old car.

They said the battery needs changing. It has a small oil leak in the rear main seal. Transmission leak at the pan. Front brakes at 6mm and rears at 4mm.

So the leaks will be the costliest I imagine.

Otherwise everything else checked out great. When I drive it however I do here this tap tap tap. Quick tapping sound in the engine. A lifter problem would be quite significant I'm sure. But if that was the case wouldn't the dealership mechanic's found that? Or am I hearing a normal sound in the engine?

I know that's probably a really hard question for any of you to answer without hearing it. It's not real loud but I can hear it.

Based on the other two things...the leaks. What would you guess those might cost to repair. Is it a matter of changing a seal in the engine and since I'm not mechanically incline (but want to learn!) when they say transmission "pan" what exactly is that and what would need to be done to repair the leak?

I'm female if you haven't figured that out yet and I do plan on attending a autoshop class at our local college. At 35 I'll probably be the oldest in the class...HA HA! That's ok though. But I just don't want to take my car to a mechanic and get "taken for a ride"...like them tell me it's the lifters and it's really not. Could the dealership mechanic's that did the inspection miss something like that?

Anyway, I'm thrilled with this car! It's GORGEOUS!

Thanks,

Kel