Part it out or repair it

[timothyr]

Okay, I just made one of my rare mistakes (kind of).
Bought a 94 mark 8 almost sight unseen...body condition is clean (2 very small dents in 1 rear fender), interior is near perfect except the center compartment latch, I kenw the air suspension was leaking and that the alternator was shot. What I did not realize was the trans was slipping like a mother. It will still move on it own, but I will be trailering it the 3 miles home to my garage as it is no where near solid.

Paid just under a grand for it and am debating the fix it or part it route. based on the fact that everything else works and seems solid I think I can make my money back fairly easy...head lights and chrome wheels are perfect, motor has 80k on it but compression test, coolant and oil are all very clean. (this was my mistake, started and let it run, took samples and tested everything, put it in gear and felt it lurch but didnt actually drive it.)

My original intent was to clean up, fix and flip the car, however adding the transmission to the equation it looks like it will become a losing proposition...Unless someone can point to something simple with the trans I may be missing.

Thoughts and suggestions welcome
T

 

[k9t8m]

In todays market youd be lucky to make your money back if you part it.

 

[timothyr]

so your thinking bite the bullit and fix it?
The more I think about it I dream back to highschool day dreaming and think...well, this could be a good excuse to buy a t56 and KB....I could still fit the kids in the back, and is probably an easier sell to the wife than a vette.

 

[RedCellSix]

First, be sure you love Mark VIII's in general and your car in particular. Then I'd make a careful detailed list of items needing repair. Then get prices for them. We have many members to assist you there. Some are outstanding mechanics. For new OEM parts w/ a good discount we have Max at 5 Star Ford in Az. For used parts Jamie in Fl. and Eddie for air bag related stuff. There are others too. Our cars are not cheap to repair. Parts are hard to find sometimes. Once you make that decision let us know if you need more help. Specific addresses/ phone numbers can be provided as required for the merchants. Flipping it sounds like you are not to keen in keeping it. Good luck, Gary.

 

[timothyr]

Well, flipping was my original intent based on the fact that it looked like the only real expense was going to be the parts for the suspension rebuild...I can rebuild the Alt. myself, I have done the suspension overhauls in a mark 7 and several conti's, and the body work is cake...from shopping around I figured I am buying it for 8 Bills, drop another 5 and a weekend in it and dump it for $2500.

Now that we are adding the transmission to the equation I am thinking either part it, or turn it into a project and install a t56 and custom forced induction.

Although I like the color combo (pearl white on grey), I am thinking for the keeper I would like a gen2 car. I guess what the real deciding factor is given my misjudgement, can I get out of this one without taking a loss, or should I just bite the bullit and make this one the keeper.

who is eddie for air bags? I know where 5 star ford is.

Another thought...how "independant" is each circuit on the air system, the reason I ask is that the rear deffinatly drops before the front (let it sit overnight the rear will drop, let it sit for 3 days and the whole thing will drop)...from previous experience if I am going to make itt a keeper I would replace all 4 corners; is that also true of this car?

 

[kustomizingkid]

If all you want to do is make some quick money you are headed down the wrong path....

 

[pepperman]

Fix it and then sell it.

 

[4.6powa]

well you could part it, and not get much... since its a 94' or go through the HELL of fixing it... and not sell it for near what you paid... i had a mint green 94'. 110,000 miles.. i couldnt lose it for $1100. i ended up trading it to a junkyard for a subaru engine...

 

[Blenderhead]

Just get a used trans for a few hundred bucks, swap it in, and sell the car. You probably won't make as much as you thought you were going to, but I doubt you will actually lose money on it.

 

[timothyr]

I am going to rebuild the suspension before I do anythng else...in as much as when I drove it solo it felt like the trans was slipping, when my wife was watching she commented on the fact I was constantly spinning the right rear wheel...there is no pressure in the right rear bag, and from looking at everywhere I have driven the car when it felt like it was slipping I could locate 1 tire burnout's.

 

[Dmaup]

who is eddie for air bags?

American Air suspension. They have a website and he helped me out with my car. Prices arent too bad. But you may just want to put coils on it cause it is cheaper

 

[richduty455]

I'd fix it, even if you put on a junk yard compressor and trans.....get er moving and running and sell it.....I'm sure you'll make your $$ back....just don't list it as a police interceptor engine and you'll be fine....lol

 

[mespock]

I'd fix it up and drive it if the body and engine are in good shape .... I just had my tranny rebuilt for $250 by a guy I know and trust ...

With Parts all about $500 ... You can get a nice set of coils for it for about $400 .... then you have a nice driving car .... More than maybe you want but If it's in good shape after that well hey ... enjoy ...

Otherwise maybe use it as a parts car for another Mark VIII. Parts are not going as good right now so you may not make what you paid for it.

Right now you have a car ... Turn it into your toy ... build it

 

[richduty455]

yea, parts aren't going well, unless its something I need to buy, then I can't find it or pay top dollar for it....lol...just enjoy it, its a relatively cheap car that has some grunt

 

[timothyr]

Okay, dumb sideline question,
Knowing the right rear will not hold air period would that also explain the front dropping over time or do I also need to replace whats up there.

Also, is american air the best way to go for both front and rear, or do I need to keep the fronts OEM. I know I want to keep the air, and the compressor and dryer are both less than a year old and seem to be functioning fine.

I think this is going to turn into the toy....if it needsd a new trans after the suspension work its getting a T56 and posi

 

[Dmaup]

I dont think the back one has anything to do with the front dropping. I would go with american air for everything, they seem to have the best prices that I have found so far.