Thinking about buying a Gen3

[CademiaX]

So, I found a Gen3 locally for $1800, 1997, 101K, the interior is PERFECT, then engine looks super clean and runs great. No error codes, not sure if I can check the history of codes, that would be helpful to know if I can do that.

The guy selling it is a very small local dealer, doesn't really have a lot, its just a little spot on the side of the road with about 10 cars, and he doesn't have a mech on his payroll and he told me he didn't know what a cam was... lol

Is there a simple way I can check if the cams are welded? He is gong to let me test drive it for half the day, and I just want to run off and check that out.

 

[luigisho]

You have to pull the valve covers and look. If the car runs well and the rest isn't severely beat up it would be worth $1800 even without the cams welded.

 

[jpeck2]

you'd have to remove the valve covers...

 

[CademiaX]

Ok, its in great condition, not a dent or ding on it either!

It looks like it has been very well taken care of.

How time consuming is taking off the valve covers?

 

[rubydist]

The front one is not that bad, an hour or so depending on how much time you spend looking for the right size wrenches....

This is what you want it to look like:

 

[CademiaX]

Here are some pics of it, not sure what happen to the rest of them =/

not sure about the dark spots on the hood in these pics, I didnt notice them in person, maybe rock chip repair?

 

[DaSho97]

Looks like a clean SHO, lights arent even fogged up. Good luck with the purchase.

 

[Izzmo]

Very clean!

 

[SHOMEX]

Just remove the front valve cover and it will take you 30 minutes to an hour for starters; If the front is not welded dont bother removing the back valve cover because it wont do any good and you'll spend around 4hrs if you have never work on the V8.
If its not welded ask arthur to get in touch with James in Spanish Fork and see if they still do cam welding.

 

[luigisho]

It looks really good. If it runs ok I would scoop it up regardless of cam weld. Just put it on the list for later. That's a good price. Give it a carfax to be sure it wasn't severly damaged at one time. I'd be just as concerned about the tranny running well. See if you can get some road time with it.

 

[NebraskaSHO]

Also if you are driving it make sure to listen for any clunks (strut bearings) or any really odd things in the suspension. To repair that at a shop is going to cost you quite a bit.

Just a heads up.

Car looks clean. If I had the $ and it was what I was looking for I would have pulled the trigger already. 12 years, 101k miles, and a clean body, hard to pass!