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My New 73 Has A Bad Engine. Now What??

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Miami66, Mar 27, 2020.

  1. Mar 27, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2020
    Messages:
    65
    Well, I took a gamble and got burned Recently purchased my first Jeep. A 73 with a great body. No rust, solid. I had it towed to my mechanic. I was very excited to get it running. Buyer had it parked for a year due to his leg injury. I trusted what he told me was true. I paid $3900.00 Already have put $1500 in it. My mechanic told me the engine is no good (original 304), and possibly the transmission. Again, the frame, body is excellent. The rebuilt will be $2500-$3000. Tranny ? $2500. By the time I’m done It will be a solid 73 CJ at $12000-$1300. I think it’s worth it, otherwise sell for maybe $4000.00 and start over. Thoughts? Thank you all for helping the Newbie.

    Carlos
    Gainesville,Fl
     
    melvinm likes this.
  2. Mar 27, 2020
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
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    2,137
    Do you trust your mechanic?
     
  3. Mar 27, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2020
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    65
    Very much so. He was going to call me later to discuss. I would plan to keep the Jeep till I go into a home! All the Jeeps I seen before all had plenty of rust.
     
  4. Mar 27, 2020
    Jeff Bromberger

    Jeff Bromberger Quarantined in the Garage

    Dallas Metroplex...
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    Jun 28, 2019
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    202
    Depending on what is wrong with the engine, you can rebuild it for not much time and just a little effort. I am 95% done with my 232 rebuild.

    Places here in TX have quoted me $800 to rebuild a transmission if you bring it in and do all installation yourself. Rebuild kit is $200 with good parts.

    How handy are you? :D
     
  5. Mar 27, 2020
    melvinm

    melvinm Member

    Arvada Co. 80003
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2012
    Messages:
    196
    If the body is in good shape I would fix it . That's just My opinion . New engine or what ever it needs.
     
  6. Mar 27, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2020
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    65
    Thanks. Unfortunately I am not handy. Hopefully the mechanic can quote me a reasonable price. In the end if I keep it I might break even. “The devil u know is better than the one u dont”
     
  7. Mar 27, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2020
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    65
    Thanks. Thats my thought. Solid rust free are bodies are hard to find. Plus I’d hold it. I need to stop trusting people....
     
  8. Mar 27, 2020
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    Jun 5, 2007
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    3,559
    Welcome to our world. Time to buy a bigger tool box and a bunch of tools. Harbor Freight is your friend. Try to tackle ONE PROJECT AS A TIME. If you take the whole thing apart you'll be selling it for $700 a year from now. Good luck.
     
  9. Mar 27, 2020
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    Something doesn't add up here.
    Only parked for a year and engine/ trans are bad?
    Does is run at all? Was is stored outside without a top and transmission is rusty inside?
     
    tomasinator likes this.
  10. Mar 27, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    Feb 9, 2018
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    More data needed. What exactly is wrong with the motor and transmission? Bad doesn't mean anything.
     
  11. Mar 27, 2020
    mike starck

    mike starck Member

    salem,oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Messages:
    762
    Follow your heart. If you really like the jeep spend the money and get it mech. sound. I would rather start with a solid body and frame and build on that.BTDT.
    My first was a new 1973 cj5 so a little partial but I say go for it. mike
     
  12. Mar 27, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    Have you owned a Jeep before? What do you want to have when you are done? Why this Jeep? If you were hoping to get into it cheap, looks like you chose poorly and that's not going to happen.

    It's hard to own a hobby car (which these Jeeps are) without being able to work on them yourself. You also should realize that any old car carries with it some risk of unexpected problems and failures. That goes double for Jeeps, since they have twice as many drivetrain parts (4WD) and they often suffer hard use or abuse. People sell cars for a reason.

    Up to you. A lot depends on your means - how important is the money to you? If there's nothing special about this year and model to you, cut your losses and sell. Lesson learned. If it's the Jeep you want because of what it is, spend the money and enjoy.
     
    Jeff Bromberger and 73 cj5 like this.
  13. Mar 27, 2020
    roadhog304

    roadhog304 Member

    Leon Kansas
    Joined:
    Dec 25, 2007
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    291
    Post up some pics. How does the mechanic know the trans is bad if the jeep is not running? The t15 should not cost that much to rebuild. You can probably pick up a 360 that runs for $750 or less.
     
    OldAdobe likes this.
  14. Mar 28, 2020
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    Oct 6, 2003
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    1,201
    Me? I'd find a good 4 speed with a DEEEEp granny gear and install it. Rebuild the 304 and wheel it. Crate engines are ~3k.
     
  15. Mar 28, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    9,754
    The monetary difference between a so-so jeep, or a really great jeep is not so much.

    After a short time, having the jeep you want will make the money easy to forget.
     
  16. Mar 28, 2020
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Same here....but the OP is in Florida, I'd bet he doesn't need a super low first gear. The T15 is a pretty stout trans for a three speed, nothing wrong with that if a 3:1 first gear is adequate for your use.
     
  17. Mar 28, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    $2500 seems wildly expensive to replace that transmission. R&R should be like 60/90 minutes for a pro - easy in a Jeep. And if the engine is coming out, it's even easier. Herm sells them for $800 exchange, $1000 outright. T-15 Transmission | Herm The Overdrive Guy I recall he has some clever way to ship these that does not cost a lot.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2020
    Twin2 and iharding like this.
  18. Mar 29, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I my opinion, your mechanic's engine rebuild quote is way higher than what it should be. Is your block cracked from freezing? Likewise, what is wrong with the transmission, filled with water? You need to find out what is specifically "no good" with both. Yes, a 360 can be found pretty cheap, and will drop in if you can't find or rebuild your 304.
    -Donny
     
  19. Mar 30, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
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    Feb 19, 2020
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    Sorry for the late reply guys. No doubt hobby cars or any hobby is expensive. I’m currently selling my Triumph TR 6 for that reason. You think Jeeps are co$tly. Yikes! The Jeep was keep outside in the elements. I‘Ve decided to keep it and rebuild the engine. Will know soon about the transmission. The mechanic was speculating if might be bad but not necessarily. I spoke to a Jeep enthusiast yesterday that felt with the solid body, Rare Ramsay Winch it would be worth it. Thanks for the feedback and knowledge. Having fun learning.



    Carlos
     
  20. Mar 30, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
    Joined:
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    Reached out to Herm. Thanks for the lead. The beauty of these forums especially for Newbies.

    Carlos
     
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