Need Help!!

[aircruiser]

I've been shopping around for broncos and recently came across an 84 with the 351. It has 118k and alot of new parts for only $1,550!!!

The owner THINKS it has a stuck valve which would need a bit of a tear down of the engine, and I have to use this truck as a daily driver to school and back and other stuff. I already have a ride to school with some friends, but it's either this or a Toyota Camry and I'd much rather prefer this. Maybe a cougar?

Now I am assuming it's just a bad valve spring and I emailed the owner asking whether it is the intake or exhaust that is stuck, but for the price, it seems like a steal!!

But my main question is is the piston so close to the valves that if it did get stuck, would the piston hit?

I know on some engines there is clearance between the valve and piston, but is there enough on the 351?

Thanks!

 

[Seabronc]

The only steal I see here is from you if you buy it. You can get penty of Broncos that run right for less than that. 118K on which time around? Find one that is running!

Good luck,

>-

 

[KJEfting]

I have to agree with Seabronc on this one. $1,550 for a Bronco that old, with internal engine issues is too much money. I mean I bought a '93 that runs perfect for $500. You can find a MUCH better deal out there. Being that you're in school, I reccommend that you buy something that is a little better on gas.

 

[rebelyelltex]

yeah man that does sound a bit much if the rig isnt runnin. keep youy eyes out man, you will find a keeper!

 

[Big Country]

being in school unless you are rich, money can be a problem and with the engine problems that will not be a good deal. And being there are engine problems the owner must not have taken care of it so there could be other problems too. if you do the routine maintenance on your car it will last a very LONG time with no engine replacement. keep looking man.

 

[jesse_h97]

If I,m not mistaken you can buy a rebuilt 351 for 1400. I paid 1000 for a an 84 with a 351w headers and dual exhaust and had it delivered for 200, and it runs like a spotted ape.

 

[whitey]

i got my 90 xlt for $1500 and it has close to 200,000 miles on the 302. that's a lot of miles. BUT, the guy i bought her from took good care of her and had the heads and valves etc (basically everything above the block), and rear end redone about a year before i bought it. so it runs very well. it has a few minor issues like it needs rear shocks. and then there's a lot of stuff that really didn't NEED to be done that i've taken upon myself to redo- it's part of the whole restoration process. that's why it's called a restoration project you're restoring it to like new condition (original or not) or as close to that as possible. i like knowing that inch by inch i'm replacing everything as i go to as new as possible. it makes you feel good and have some peace of mind.

anyway going into it i knew what was ahead of me. and i welcomed it. i KNEW i would have the engine and transmission rebuilt by a professional shop not a crate special. i live 3 miles from work and i have a mountain bike to ride if my bronco goes down before i get my engine rebuild. my old lady has a pt cruiser (yeah....yuck) and we use that for litle errands and she can always drop me off at work if need be. or i can use it to run and get a part.

the point to all of this is that you need to realize what you're getting into and you need to make sure you have the means to deal with it. my first restoration "project" when i was 17 was a 61 ranchero. i ignored my dads advice thinking i knew it all. and sure enough being 17 out on my own i couldn't afford the task and constanty dealt with the cycle of fixing something new and having the next thing break and so on. i was constantly stranded in 100+ san antonio heat att the worst hours.

so with that in mind if you think you can handle it - go for it. but, if you think it WON'T be fun having to constantly ask friends for rides and having the bronco torn apart in your driveway maybe you should get something more reliable now and look for a bronco later.

like my dad always tells me: "first you get the reliable driver, then you get the toy". damn i hate it when he's right!

 

[Jar Jar BINKS!]

I'm buying a '90 Eddie Bauer 302 small block from my mom's boyfriend for $2.8k. It has 92k miles, and pretty much everything works on it. Everything that doesn't work, is easily fixable. 4x4 automatic, posse track, and virtually no rust spots or dents.

but like everyone else has said, you can probably find a better bronco for cheaper. Just check cars.com, or even your local newspaper.

 

[Big Country]

you would be suprised at how many broncos you will find at autotrader.com.

 

[Big Ragu]

Wow broncos for 500.00!!!!! not where Im from....central fl. ive tried to find a good running bronco for under 1500.00 .....And no such luck. had to spend 2200.00 for a 93. doing some front end work on it know but had it for a year with nothing more than oil changes and normal maint. dont care too much for the electric shift transfer caes but it has not let me down yet.....

 

[firelt90bronco]

Uuuhhhh... I think I know the owner.