Need help on buying a v8 SHO with 200k miles.

[jonmac81]

Hello everyone im new here. I was wondering if someone could help me on getting a v8 SHO. I found one with 200k miles on it but its real nice. I have never owned a SHO could anybody tell me if the v8 SHO's with that kinda miles would last much longer and be dependable? Thanks for looking

 

[tqmx1]

I am coming up on 225k running like a top. As long as the cams are welded and the oil & filter are changed at 3k intervels it should run forever

 

[SHO U UP]

I am coming up on 225k running like a top. As long as the cams are welded and the oil & filter are changed at 3k intervels it should run forever

Basically what he said. Welcome aboard buddy. :wave: If its gone that many miles though, chances are the cams are indeed welded. The tranny in these cars can be a weak link and also the rear brake lines. Take a peek at some past threads on here. Someone asked a similar question like this one recently. It seems like some new folks are picking up the older SHOs now more often. Guess with the 2010 SHOs making a come back, the older ones are desirable again.

 

[LJRuddy]

Basically what he said. Welcome aboard buddy. :wave: If its gone that many miles though, chances are the cams are indeed welded. The tranny in these cars can be a weak link and also the rear brake lines. Take a peek at some past threads on here. Someone asked a similar question like this one recently. It seems like some new folks are picking up the older SHOs now more often. Guess with the 2010 SHOs making a come back, the older ones are desirable again.

x2 on the brake lines. There's a black plastic cover on the rear brake lines that is located under the front driver's side door. Pull that cover off and look at the brake lines. They LOVE to rust through right there. Damn near made me wreck my 96 as my line rusted here and it blew out during an emergency stop. :wave:

 

[Hoopty4SHO]

x2 on the brake lines. There's a black plastic cover on the rear brake lines that is located under the front driver's side door. Pull that cover off and look at the brake lines. They LOVE to rust through right there. Damn near made me wreck my 96 as my line rusted here and it blew out during an emergency stop. :wave:

Holy F! I came on here just for that reason! Yes my rear line(s) went out! So OP, take a look at them indeed.

 

[tardboy21]

Rear brake lines will rust, but nothing too hard to replace.
Just be sure the trans still shifts smooth, and it doesn't have any major oil leaks. Mine just turned 231k and going strong, doesn't eat or leak any oil. Take care of it with good fluids and it will take care of you.
You'll find some good information on this forum if you do decide to get it.

 

[SHOZ123]

Holy F! I came on here just for that reason! Yes my rear line(s) went out! So OP, take a look at the indeed.

I have two sets of rear brake lines, one never installed. Where in Illinois are you?

 

[jonmac81]

What do you mean the cams being welded? They bad for going out and how would I know if it has or not and if it hasn't how long will it last?

 

[USHOMEISHOU]

hopefully the owner has records of it, otherwise you have to get down to the cams to check. the cam sprockets are known for coming lose if not welded.
as said above, if it's at 200k... they're probably welded

 

[chrism3784]

I have my 98 im not desperately selling. In south florida. Its welded, tranny cooler, all ready to go.

 

[stephen newberg]

Jonmac81,

I think most of the things of importance have been mentioned. The cam sprocket problem is the most concern. To determine if they have been welded, you need to pop off the valve covers, front and back, and look for the welds between the sprockets and the cam shaft. If you look around here, you will easily find photos of what it should look like and where to look, or you can check over on V8SHO.com for the same.

As has been noted above, at 200k, likely it has already been done, but you do want to check anyway. Popping the valve covers is not a major task. Be careful with the gaskets when you do it, though, as you will want to reuse them.

Mine is currently somewhere north of 190k and as mentioned by others, it still runs like a top. Once the cams are taken care of, the rest of the car is just normal maintenance. Those rear brake lines do need watching. I replaced mine for the first time about 2000 miles ago. The transmission eventually needs rebuilding as it wears out, and if the car is pushed hard from stoplights and such, that likely makes it go faster. As yet mine has had no problems at all, but others have had to rework theirs much sooner. If yours has 200k on it and seems to be shifting well, you likely have one that has not been abused, so there could still be a good amount of time before it needs to be rebuilt.

At that distance, you might also find that the struts are starting to get old. Would not hurt to check out all the various suspension components and see what might be worn out and not yet replaced by the prior owner.

Best of luck with your new toy.

pax, smn

 

[jonmac81]

Well im going to trade for it is why im asking about the cams and stuff. So if it runs, drives, and shifts fine yall think it will be alright? Im trading our family van for it and it needs to be reliable is why im asking all these questions. My wife wants to trade can yall believe that and like I said I just wanna know if it will be dependable or tear up a couple miles done the road. Thanks everyone for the info.