95 thunderbird sc

[franky_402]

Hello again, i own a 93 lx right now with the 3.8 v6 and i am starting to have problems with the interior of the car, panels falling off, trim breaking, and the passenger side door is sagging so you have to lift door to shut it. So i went in search of a new car and found a 95 sc with 130K pearlescent white paint. The car looks like it is perfect condition. The owner says the car needs a few rods replaced and i was wondering how much you guys think that would cost. I can prolly do the labor my self my uncle is a mechanic so how much for rods for the car. The body is in perfect condition, interior is in perfect condition and comes with moonroof they are asking 2500, what should i do. Can i get some estimates on cost wise for new rods and level of difficulty to change them. I am only 17 so im not the greatest mechanic. I am excited about getting this car and i hope it can be saved!!!

[97Bird]

You probably mean rod bearings and not rods. You can't tell how much damage is done until you take the caps off of the rods and check the bearings. Have your uncle check out the car. These cars are usually driven hard so I would plan on an engine rebuild if the rest of the car is in as good a shape as you say. You have to check prices in your area. Again your uncle is the best source for info like this. Check edmunds, kelly blue book, nada for what the car is worth. I'd say $2500 is too much if it has engine problems.

[franky_402]

I called the guy and talked to him for a few minutes beforeI went to work. He said the car still runs and drives but doesnt reccomend doing so incase of further damage to the engine, and stated that it was the rods that where bent or damaged. I went to kelly and took the condition quiz where I checked the box for engine is majorly defected or needs to be replaced and it valued the car at 2,330.00 so what do you guys think. If I offered the man 1900.00 is that still too much. I went to carfax and the car has 11 records, lemon check, emissions check, odometer check, frame check, salvage check, all came back clean. Does anyone out thier have unlimited carfax reports that could maybe run a check for me I am willing to pay $5.00 via paypal for anyone who can do it for me.

[97Bird]

Rods don't just bend without something else being wrong. I still say plan on a rebuild. Have you talked to your uncle about it. Can't he go and look at it with you?

[franky_402]

yeah im sure he can we just have to find time to drive for 2.5 hours most likely on a weekend, but yeah it shouldn't cost too much to rebuild if i buy all parts and do labor myself!! Anyone done a rebuild to thiers yet, about how expensive

[franky_402]

Well the owners called me again and said the car has been sitting for around 6-7 months. They replaced the tires, struts, shocks, rotors, brakes, radiator, timing belt, and i think something else. They said a mechanic wanted too much to lok at the engine at the time because they are in the process of moving. She also said a tune-up was just recently done about 3 months before they stopped driving the car. She said they are the second owners and the car has been kept under a tarp so it hasn't been exposed to the elements while its been sitting. She told me that she has all records of parts replaced and all maintinence performed. Tell me what you guys think of it still, and i talked to someone at autozone and they said that it most likely isn't the rod being bent they said they probably spun the crank on the engine, and my dad worked at a shop where they rebuilt engines and serrviced them as well and they fixed spun cranks also so if that is the case then i can have the engine fixed with almost no money just the time of taking out the engine and tearing it apart!!!

[enchantedwrench]

Originally Posted by franky_402

Well the owners called me again and said the car has been sitting for around 6-7 months. They replaced the tires, struts, shocks, rotors, brakes, radiator, timing belt, and i think something else. They said a mechanic wanted too much to lok at the engine at the time because they are in the process of moving. She also said a tune-up was just recently done about 3 months before they stopped driving the car. She said they are the second owners and the car has been kept under a tarp so it hasn't been exposed to the elements while its been sitting. She told me that she has all records of parts replaced and all maintinence performed. Tell me what you guys think of it still, and i talked to someone at autozone and they said that it most likely isn't the rod being bent they said they probably spun the crank on the engine, and my dad worked at a shop where they rebuilt engines and serrviced them as well and they fixed spun cranks also so if that is the case then i can have the engine fixed with almost no money just the time of taking out the engine and tearing it apart!!!

yeah its probably just a spun bearing. 95 sc's are extremely rare,(it was the last year for them) especially a 5-speed version. but even considering that, 2500 seems like too much. BTW, these cars are not equipped with a timing belt, but rather a chain, and ive yet to see one fail.

[rhandwor]

Call a machine shop and ask him how much to bore the engine,and press on new pistons to good used connecting rods. You will need to get the crank replaced or turned and a valve job. He will give you a price on labor and parts including gaskets and oil pump.
After you get this done you and your uncle will need at least two complete days.
You should be able to get this car for less than $1000.00.
It is always cheaper to get a good car with low mileage. You pay more on the front end but much less on the back end.
This salesman is taking advantage of you take your mother with you and let her be tough with him. This means saying no until he drops the price.