Here's my sob story - mod(s) feel free to move this if I'm in the wrong section.

Two months ago I bought my wife a car to replace her old troublesome Furd Taurus SE. We couldn't trade the Taurus in at the dealership we bought her car from, so we decided to keep it and sell it on our own. I found someone on Craigslist crazy enough to trade her old Taurus for a 1989 Trans Am GTA. What a sweet car! I was told it has a carb'd rebuilt L98, rebuilt 700r4, AND a rebuilt 10 bolt rear. WHAT A SWEET DEAL!! Right? I drove the old Taurus out to the country where the Trans Am was and made a straight trade, title for title, and drove my new GTA home. The ride filled me with terror. The brakes didn't work and the suspension made all sorts of crazy creaking/clunking noises during turns of the slightest degrees. I parked the car when I got home and locked it up tight.

Later on that day I decided I'd take a closer look at the engine bay and under the car. I tried the keys I had in the door lock and couldn't gain entry. Okay, no biggie, he just forgot to give me the correct key. Nothing a quick phone call and drive out to the country can't fix, right? No answer on the phone. I shot him an email that night and to this day haven't heard anything back.

I broke into the GTA using a crowbar, coat hanger, and a smaller pry bar a week later. At this point I'm starting to get suspicious. I hastily tracked down the engine casting code. Turns out the engine is a 283 out of a 66 Chevelle. The engine swap was a total hack job. There're frayed cut wires and hoses everywhere. The transmission is pissing fluid like no body's business and I haven't mustered up the courage to look at the rear, yet. Everything the previous owner told me is a lie. I got burned.

My plan: get the car streetable again (brakes, transmission fix, tires, suspension/steering love, and a horn) and swap in a carb'd 350. Any suggestions? Anyone been burned like this in the past?

 

First thing, BEFORE you do anything else is to make sure the car isn't stolen.

If that checks out, start with a thorough check of the body for rust issues. Remove all the carpet and the front kick panels. Once you're sure the car is worth it, then you can move on to the safety issues first - brakes and suspension/steering. After that, I'd move on to the engine and trans.

 

Nothing special about the 10 bolt rear. They're cheap anyway. I dont know why you'd fret about that.

Make sure the car isnt stolen.

 

Seems to me a better checkout of the car BEFORE you traded for it would have been a no brainer. But, that's not the case as you know now.

Yeah, I've been burned in my life the first trip around the block with a 87 Toyota Supra. I thought I would eat that thing between two slices of bread. I repaired all that was told was new, cut bait, took a loss and sold it.

It won't happen on the second trip.
Good luck with your endeavor.
Make sure the car isn't stolen!

 

Thanks all for the input. There's a small amount of surface rust on the car, but nothing that a little sand paper can't fix. It hasn't eaten through anywhere just yet. I don't think the car is stolen because the DMV let me register the car, but won't give me tags because the car needs an inspection. Could it still be stolen?

 

If they let you transfer the title, it's probably not stolen. I'd still call the local PD with the VIN and have them check it though.

 

I think it depends on the state as to if they even check. Running the VIN with the local Police Dept. would be wise or someone that can get access to the VIN records. I don't know if a CARFAX would be of any use in this situation.

 

Man that stinks, I would have taken the owner around for a test drive before the trade. If for some reason they won't let you do that then just walk away.

 

Sorry you got burned, but not to rub salt in the wound...Why did you wait to check the car out..
#1 rule in buying a used car.. Do not trust the seller. Look the car over, test drive car, run codes, heck even jack car up and look under it before you ever trade or pay any money.

If seller has a prob with you test driving and checking car out, RUN don't walk away from the car.

I do just as I said above when buying, and I expect people do the same when I sell one.

Now on to what you have... You traded a ford for it.. What was the value of the ford?

Check over the firebird and see what you have to work with and what you can sell/swap to get car to the point you want..

Leaking trans may just be a loose/cracked/broke trans cooler line, pan gasket, dipstick tube.

283 from a chevelle, that would be of value to someone doing a #'s matching build.

What heads are on the 283? If power pak, or 327 double hump heads they sell at a pretty high price.

Junkyards still have a good amount of third and 4th gen F bodies. You can get a whole rear end for $150-250 (4th gen rear will work but you will need to run 4th gen spec rear wheels)

 

He traded a ford for it. Doesn't matter if it had 300 miles on it and in pristine condition, he got a deal when you look at it that way.

In all seriousness though, Nite rider has some good advice there.