I'm looking at getting this car, and I'm mainly concerned with not only power, but reliability.

Take a look at this car and tell me if you think its a good deal. From what I can tell, its a great deal. I just want a few second opinions from guys who know 3rd gens well.

http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/1430027117.html

 

if he wasnt lying, i'd say its a good deal. I'd probably be more concerned with reliability instead of power. i.e. if he did a good job in the swap and hooked everything up the right way. Just test drive it and see how it feels and responds.

 

What should I look for? Any specifics? I'm semi-new to muscle. Just sold my 03 GT mustang.

 

Some people just throw a shiny new carb and a new intake on the motor and say its the badest thing ever.Tell him to have one of the valve covers off and see if actually has rolloer rockers in it see if he's lying. Then take it for a drive. I would also get the number off the block and see if its a 305 or a 350.

 

you dont want to buy a car and later find out it is not what you hoped itd be

 

Oooohh, "welded 3.08's"???? That makes me think he welded up the spider gears in the pegleg rearend to make a "poor man's positraction" and lock both the rear axles like a spool would do.
This would be good for drag or circle track racing only. If the spider gears are welded up, the car will not want to turn around corners, like in your neighborhood or getting in to your driveway. In a posi-traction, limited slip, Detroit locker or stock non- positraction rearend, one axle can "slip" under decelleration and when going around corners. Less so in lockers than in one wheel drive stock "peg-leg" rearends.
But in a welded up rear. there will be NO slip whatsoever, so when you make even only a slightly tight corner, either the inside tire must skid, or something has to break and it won't be pretty.
Go try to just push that car around by hand and turn the steering wheel while you are pushing it. If it's locked up, just turning the steering wheel will be like putting the brakes on.

If you can replace the rearend or rebuild the ring and pinion, it might still work out OK. Of course I am assuming that you are wanting to actually drive this car on the street and not just drag race it?