I (Basically) stole a 91 Sho near mint. What should I do next?

[bigginsben]

Hey all - first time on this forum and first-time SHO owner!

I just bought a 91 SHO with 150K miles from a fellow of craigslist and at 2K I feel like I stole it. This car was his baby and he did every recommended everything at the shop whenever he took it in. He spent at least 30K on the car in upkeep alone (I will paste a sample of what he has done recently below). He has some upgrades (also listed below) and ever single thing works.

I NEED your advice on what you think I should do now to maintain it. I read about the 60K so I don't need links to it, but here's the thing: he basically did a 60K - 6 years ago - and has only driven it 10K miles since. Should I do another before I really drive it?

the only problems I have with the car that I know are:

1) Slow moonroof - I plan to work on cleaning up the tracks. Any advice is welcome.
2) White smoke coming from pulley area under engine. I assume this is oil buildup from years of sitting.
3) a mild clunk from the front of the car when i hit a pothole - I assume the front struts need to be replaced but would welcome any other suggestions.

I plan on (and here's where I need advice - tell me if I am wrong) -
1) Cleaning the moonroof track if I can.
2) Keeping an eye on coolant and oil levels to make sure I am not leaking too much.
3) Driving the **** out of it until 180-190K and then doing a full 60K upper and front.

What has been done with dates and mileage

Engine
Ac/Alt belt 3/2006 147K
Starter 10/2005 146K
Timing Belt 5/2004 143K
Valve cover gasket 5/2004 143K
Drive belts 5/2004 143K
Plugs and wires 5/2004 143K
02 Sensors 12/2003 139K
IAT sensors 12/2003 139K

Drivetrain
Rod shifter 7/2004 143K
Clutch 7/2004 143K
Rear main seal 7/2004 143K
Power steering rack 5/2004 143K


Suspension
Rear shocks 8/2005 146K
Front swaybar links 4/2002 117K

Cooling
Aux cooling fan assembly 7/2010 154K
Radiator 7/2006 147K
Thermostat 7/2006 147K

Exhaust
Muffler - drivers 10/2005
Muffler-passenger

A/C
Charge 7/2010 155K
A/C clutch 5/2006 147K

Misc
Battery 3/2006 147K

Brakes
Rear calipers and rotors 7/2002 120K

Also- (installed at 101K miles)
12 inch front brake kit
70mm MAF meter
Solid subframe bushings
Koni strut cartidges
Steel hi-flow y-pipe with cats. 2.5 inch.

 

[sperold]

I don't know if he did 30K worth of upkeep, but he did alot.
You did very well on your purchase.
You are good to go, and don't worry too much about maintenance right now, your maintenance needs have been met.
That white smoke may be a water pump slow leak through the weep hole on the snout (at the bottom). I would start pricing a replacement.
Depending on how it sits, it is not an automatic replacement for the front struts if you hear an extra noise. Search this forum for other possible solutions. Sometimes the noise is from the top mounting plate.
Clean and oil your sunroof, emphasis on oil.

 

[Bob Gervais]

Congrats on the purchase, get some pics up!

For the white smoke, as sperold mentioned, keep an eye on the water pump. Also, looking through the history, the radiator and thermostat were replaced. This could also be a source of a leak, either at the hose, or the thermostat housing.

Clunking in the front, could be any one of a number of things, but since the swaybar endlinks were replaced, check those and make sure the nuts are tight. While you're at it, have a look at everything else under there.

 

[ycode90]

Cool, you'll hate it eventually.

 

[bigginsben]

ycode90 - I know, I know. I had a 91 miata that I came to loathe. We all love/hate our cars, otherwise we would not have any fun with them!

sperold - It was 30K (I added it up - he gave me his records), but only because he want to the dealership for everything.

 

[Phoenix]

Cool, you'll hate it eventually.

Welcome in , looks like a good deal but , we need pics....

 

[SHOtime2511]

PICS please...

 

[SHOspazz92]

Your Front struts are probably in good shape, It may be other things.

Congrats! That was a very nice car and had some nice mods on it. I considered it. Your Front struts are probably in good shape, It may be other things. I'm in Fayetteville with a few SHO's myself, Feel free to let me know if your ever in the Area.I'm willing to help out the best I can. Also, Tidewater SHO club is having a meet on the 17th in Virgina Beach.

Your Front struts are probably in good shape, It may be other things.

-Sam

 

[SVOFANATIC]

PICS please...

x2 I just got a 91 as well.

 

[SHOspazz92]

Here's the car he bought.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/1956613273.html

-Sam

 

[itwonder]

White smoke is more likely a coolant leak. It could be a water pump leak since it is right above there. You might want to pressure test the cooling system.

 

[Vnuk1]

Nevermind..

 

[bigginsben]

got it up on a lift

I got it on a lift and really checked it out. It look great - a few spots of surface rust and some of the bushings are original and need replacing.

The white smoke seems to be from a seep in my crankshaft seal that is dripping onto the cat. Will have to do a 60K at some point.

Yep, that listing was the one I bought. It really drives amazingly well. So much fun. I have to set aside some money for a rubber budget since I leave so much around town. I want to get it painted eventually as well - anyone know a good place in the triangle?

Ben