Hey,

I found this Car:

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/v...&ac_afflt=none

He said it needs new valve springs which is a $1,300 fix. I was wondering how hard of a repair is it to do. My uncle and I would be doing all the work on this car. He knows his stuff, and has a private shop. Is this car worth a look? It's $4,000 and he said he is willing to go down on the price.

Bret

$1300 for valve springs? Uh, well I paid $120 Canadian for the Comp Cams 983-kit. All you need is a valve spring kit and valve cover gaskets.

Well I talked to a mechanic. He works for a dealership (which is overpriced anyway) he said the springs are around $10 each but it would cost a total of around $900. I figured I could get it done cheaper by a family owned place.

I think I could spend $4000 on this car and able to afford $500+ on repairs. It has all the modifications on it that I would have already done, which saves me money.

Bret

Would driving with bad valve springs damage any part of the motor?

No it woouldn't damage anything, it would just cause sloppy ramp speeds, which would decrease your performance by quite a bit, especially the top end.

So if the car drives alright do you think it would be worth buying? I think my uncle and I (he owns a private shop) would be able to do it in a day or so.

Bret

I would because changing the valve springs is such a minor job. Go pickup a Comp Cams 983-kit which is a little bit stronger than stock spring kit with retainers.

The guys says it puts out around 325-350 HP. Any estimate on what it could really have judging on the mods he did?

Bret

be certain all it needs are valves springs...........

honestly, if your on a tight budget, i'd stay away

Well,

If it cost $50 (cost of spring kit) and 5-6 hours of work for a $4,000 car with all the mods, and stereo equipment I would have put in it eventually, I think I would get it. Of course I will have a mechanic ok the car first.

Bret

I'd say that car couldnt be pushing more than 260hp without head work and a new camshaft.

It seems like you are getting a lot for your money. Just take your time looking it over and then take you time making the decision.

I'm going to see it this Thursday. The guy is going off to college and needs the money. He said is is pretty leaneant of the price as well.

Hopefully everything works fine on the car and I will be able to buy it.

Bret

I guess i'd be nervous as to why it needs valve springs after only 100,000 miles. Wonder if he beat on it pretty hard....? Just a thought.

I wonder if he changed the cam and not the springs

Replacing the valve springs is not for the novice, but for someone like your uncle it is no big deal. My concern is what broke the valve springs. Too many RPM's most likely! I tend to believe this car has been run fairly hard, but if the body and interior is good and you like the car, go for it. Even if you had to do the whole top end of the motor (heads completely reworked etc), you're not talking that much money. I'd play this into the negotiations.

I'd also asked the owner if you could check the compression. If compression is way low (below say 80), you're faced with a complete overhaul.