Buying a '96 with some issues

[green95]

About 2 months ago, i sold my '95 ATX. Just recently, I have been wanting another SHO to have as a toy again but am interested in the Gen III now. I found a '96 here in town but it has some issues. Aside from a faded spoiler, bumper, and hood, the body is straight and rust free. The interior is in excellent shape and the car has 110K, but the motor (supposedly) has less than 100K and (again, supposedly) has welded cams. The 3 main issues it has is that it is running rich with no SES light, trans has a hard 1-2 shift, and the A/C is inop. I dont give a crap about the a/c right now, just the other 2 issues. The motor runs great and doesn't have any noises. I've researched some of the issues on the forum, but I figured I would get some input from some gen III owners on what might be going on with it. Mostly I'm wondering if its worth buying. Thanks in advance.

 

[SHOZ123]

How do you know it's running rich?

 

[green95]

How do you know it's running rich?

It was smelling rich when it was idling and he said the gas mileage had gotten bad before he parked it. Its been sitting for a year now.

 

[sperold]

It all depends on the price.
If it had a motor swap, you would have to go over all the connectors that were involved.
The AC issue could be a result of the swap.
You can diagnose the running rich by going over old threads on this forum.
The hard 1 - 2 shift is something to take seriously, and I would get advice on that from your favorite shop that serviced your old ATX.

 

[green95]

I'm going to call the trans shop tomorrow about it. Thats really my biggest concern. it was originaly a cam failure car, hence the motor swap adn that was done a few years ago. He claims the A/C was working fine up when he parked it, which could be complete BS. The owner is asking $1000 for it.

 

[SHOZ123]

It was smelling rich when it was idling and he said the gas mileage had gotten bad before he parked it. Its been sitting for a year now.

That may just be a dirty MAF.

 

[sperold]

See if the original motor is still available from the seller. Find out what year of motor was installed, and see if there are any differences / upgrades / whatever. I know little about these cars, but I would be careful about mating up motors to transmissions that are wired to talk to each other. Ask if all the sensors that screw into the motor were installed in the new motor when it was installed.
The price sounds right to me if it is still plated and running every day.
You could probably snoop around and get one with less issues, but you can't wait forever, and this one sounds like a good possibility.

 

[green95]

See if the original motor is still available from the seller. Find out what year of motor was installed, and see if there are any differences / upgrades / whatever. I know little about these cars, but I would be careful about mating up motors to transmissions that are wired to talk to each other. Ask if all the sensors that screw into the motor were installed in the new motor when it was installed.
The price sounds right to me if it is still plated and running every day.
You could probably snoop around and get one with less issues, but you can't wait forever, and this one sounds like a good possibility.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to drive it tomorrow evening and I will ask him those questions. He said the cams were welded in Melbourne, FL. He thinks the running rich and poor gas mileage may be caused by a stuck injector. Is this possible? Has anyone been able to fix their hard 1-2 shift without a complete overhaul by replacing the valve body or the 1-2 solenoid?

 

[SHO U UP]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to drive it tomorrow evening and I will ask him those questions. He said the cams were welded in Melbourne, FL. He thinks the running rich and poor gas mileage may be caused by a stuck injector. Is this possible? Has anyone been able to fix their hard 1-2 shift without a complete overhaul by replacing the valve body or the 1-2 solenoid?

Another possiblity is the IMRC causing the secondaries to stay open. Under the plastic engine cover is a box with a hard plastic line going to under the elbow of the intake. On the one end is a pull tag that opens the secondaries. Follow the hard line to see where it goes and then unplug the connector at the IMRC. When you unplug it, it'll default to being closed. That is, if it's bad. If you blip the throttle enough it'll pull it also so you can see what it is supposed to do. Hope this helps ya.

 

[green95]

I just drove the car, and it could barely stay running. When I tried to accelerate, it wanted to die and then would start going again. Didn't even go a mile with it. Trans didn't shift too hard but it was noticable. When I got back, smoke was coming out from under the hood and it looked like the exhaust is really wet with something. Best part: SECONDARIES AREN'T EVEN CONNECTED!! The cable was broken where it clips under the intake. Sounded like it was missing but he claims that it was because the cats were gutted. Still no SES light. He wouldn't budge from $800 so I think I'm going to pass. Didnt have the original motor and can't prove the cats are welded. If it doesn't sell, hes going to pull the motor and crush the car, so if anyone wants some nice parts, I can give you the guys number. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[sperold]

Sorry to hear it can't be saved.
When I was looking for my first SHO, I drove 300 miles to test drive it. It went about a block and stopped dead. Somehow I nursed it back to the little car lot and drove home...300 miles.
But I couldn't get it out of my mind.
I phoned the lot back, and they told me they pressure washed the engine and filled the plug wells full of water. So sorry... their mistake.
I drove back...300 miles, and drove it again.... ran like a top, drove back home, 300 miles.
I sent them $1500.00 (8 years ago) and they drove it half way to my place where I picked it up in a blinding snow storm.
Turned out to be a great car, despite the first impression, and I still have it.

 

[green95]

I'd still like to have it, but it will cost alot just to get it road worthy. Its sad to see some people dont take care of their cars. If he comes down on the price, I will take it but it isnt worth what he wants. hes pulling the motor soon and crushing the rest.

 

[sperold]

He will come down in price.
Pulling the motor and selling it is a lot harder than it sounds.
Keep in touch with him.

 

[chrism3784]

Is it red? If so, stay away from that car! It's blacklisted here in southflorida. I was warned about it when I was looking for a gen3 SHO. You really looking for gen3 I have a real nice one for sale that I can make a deal on. White/Grey 98 I'm down in west palm. Mines welded, tranny cooled ready to go.

 

[luigisho]

That jacked up car isn't worth the hassle. I'd go with the above offer^.

 

[green95]

Is it red? If so, stay away from that car! It's blacklisted here in southflorida. I was warned about it when I was looking for a gen3 SHO. You really looking for gen3 I have a real nice one for sale that I can make a deal on. White/Grey 98 I'm down in west palm. Mines welded, tranny cooled ready to go.

Thanks but yours is more than I want to spend. This car has never been to South Florida. His in-laws bought it new in PA and then it has spent the rest of its life here.

 

[chrism3784]

How much you looking to spends, theres a few down here in south florida I seen on craigslist floating around.