How much work is involved?

[Partizan]

Hi guys, just started looking for a new car and found this 3rd gen Camaro listed. It's a 1988 with 150,000 km on it. New tires and tuned up recently but the ad says the shock tower has let go from the inner fender. Now my question is how much work is required to repair that and how much would it cost, also is it drivable at all with the shock tower like that or do I need a trailer if I buy it? How much do you guys think it would run to repair keeping in mind I have access to a shop and labour for free. The car only costs $750 Canadian Dollars so is it worth it to try and fix it or should I just buy another one for more? Thanks for any help.

Milan

[philly rs]

damn if u can get free labor and have a shop hook up thats whats up, i would get the damn thing if the engine was shot if i could work on it for free. parts arent never the big problem its the damn labor, or the lack of room one has to work on the car. i could find out but the shop is closed today so i wouldnt be able to get a price on that untill 2morrow after i get off of work. if i remember ill find out for u.

[-Josh-]

Of course, if the fender is rusted out, there's no way in hell to fix it aside from fixing the fender at a body shop. If not, fixing something like that would run you about 1.2 flat rate hours, something like that at the GM shop i work for would run you....about $100 labor.

[89IROC&RS]

well the problem is that the fender has nothing to do with the shock mount, which is located inside the engine compartment, and also what they mean by "let go" there are several ways to interpret that. if it rusted through completely the cost to have it fixed is not going to be pretty. especially if you want to fix it with a factory part, it will involve completely disassembling the front end of the car from the windsheild forward. Id keep looking personally.

[KPot2004]

lol on my 1991 that I bought for 400, it had that same problem and I bolted a new one on, and it worked fine. when u dont have a lot of money knowing backyard hick mechanics can go a long way

yeah and when i had my head gasket replaced on my 1992 rs they wanted to do the sparkplugs so i let them, they charged me like 20 something for the plugs, and 80 to put them in

[89IROC&RS]

bolted a new one on????? i thought it was a big friggin peice of sheet metal, dont tell me theres a bolt on mount that can be easily replaced............ if there is ignore my first post cuz im a moron.

[88camaroproject]

if its a v6(2.8) dont get it. the engine will die at 140 000 miles. and umm shock tower.....uhhhh damn more specific please. i think ive got the 1988 suspension down pat considering i redid mine.

[blindeyed]

Originally Posted by 88camaroproject

if its a v6(2.8) dont get it. the engine will die at 140 000 miles.

There's no way of telling when an engine will die. It all depends on how well it was taken care of. The other 3.4 I ordered with 123K miles on it looks immaculate. I could easily tell it was very well taken care of. I'd bet the engine could have gone another 100K miles. Almost makes me feel bad for tearing it apart.

[Partizan]

Hi guys, thanks for all the information so far I've called the guys selling it but only got voice mail so I left a message but want a little more information before I speak to him. I'll just attach the ad's description

2.8L V6, 148,000 km, tires have only 45,000 km, tune up last fall, shock tower let go from inner fender. $750. Haileybury (705)672-2038

Also what should I ask him about that is there anything really camaro specific that I should know? Thanks for all the help guys.

Milan.

[instantkevin]

if he means the large section of metal on the (inside) fender that the shock actually bolts to (which is probably the case)... that is a lot of work.

if you have someone who can weld... it shouldn't be much of a problem. otherwise if you don't mind spending the time it takes to disassemble the whole side, front section of the car (and either buyin a new part, or disassembling a car at the junk yard the same way).... shouldn't be much of a problem. just a big time investment.

i would only buy it if the car is very good condition (aka well worth it). or if you have that much time and ambition.

this is not a simple bolt on fix. ask him specifically which part "let go" and what needs to be done to replace it to make sure we have the facts right.

[88camaroproject]

you will be dissapointed with the 2.8. not much power but its good for driving around. but theres 3 people i know that have cars with gm 2.8s (my car, a friends pontiac fiero, and i think rs92 said his 3.1 died around there. so o dont know haw many miles are on that car or how well taken care of it was but im just saying its not the best engine. plus theres no market for 2.8 parts. i had to go to the dealer for a thermostat housing and they didnt have ot and had to order it. lol thats kinda sad. and theres not really any performance parts if your wanting to go fast. personally if i were you i wouldnt get it, would keep looking. but also if the body is way nice and theres no leaks in the car and the interiors way nice it could be a nice car for a lt1 swap

[instantkevin]

now that I think about it.... offer him $200 for it... if he waivers then tell him you will pay no more than $325. but ask about the problem first.

[Partizan]

Well I can weld and have full access to the shop at my school plus the teachers expertise for free which is why I was considering this car for damn cheap. I'm thinking of getting a 2.8 during my last year of high school and maybe university to save on gas and then I definately want a big ol' V8, also insurance must be pretty bad. I'm going to call him again and ask him what exactly detached and what needs some fixin and I'll psot back here, thanks a lot guys you've been a great help.

Milan.