Posted on 08/21/2020 9:31:47 AM PDT by Red Badger
Slow go but getting there.
Besides, I grew up on a farm and something was always broken or half apart at any time. Keeping up traditions.
Glad you like.
I had to trade a Nissan Frontier last month that was beginning to be a very nasty problem child. It had ran great for the longest time and then all of sudden it went straight to the bottom of the North Atlantic like the Titanic. After four trips to the dealership and two or three other mechanics it was turning into a money pit quickly. I got it going with no issues but just didn’t trust it anymore to be reliable and decided I had had enough, plus I was having trouble getting into the truck. The dealer sold it for $2800 more than I got on the trade.
Kamala Harris used to drive a Willy, with the stick.
I’m thinking of van-lifers, and people who can’t afford rent.
There are also concerns about running the AMC V8s (304/360/401) on modern oils because of certain anti-wear ingredients needed by the engines’ metallurgy that are no longer in modern oil (’energy conserving’). This is a concern for all flat tappet/non-roller cam engines, but especially so for the AMCs.
There’s a reason swapping these things to GM LSx engines is so popular, alas.
Or you could swap in a Chrysler/Jeep 4.0HO I6, it makes more power than the 304 smog motors.
As for how I know... I used to own a Grand Wagoneer with a 360.
This Willys has three:
https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-5646092-male-sitting-driver’s-seat-old-four-wheel
You raise good points.
AMC V8s always had problems with chattering lifters.
I always wanted the old full-size Chief or the J10 or J20.
I’d have to look into that idea and pricing all that out.
You can start here: https://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/engines/swap-guides/chevy-buick-gm/
There’s a LOT of options out there, but Novak’s the oldest and still the leading name out there for this.
I’ve visited Novak a lot lately for research.
A long time ago, I toyed with the idea of a Vortec V6.
The 350 would be great too.
My old K5 will need one eventually as well. 0 oil control.
The last time it ran, I was looking for police and fire to show up.
30 seconds in and I could not see a foot or two in front of me clearly. Smoke was filling up the whole building and took about 30 minutes to dissipate.
I had a couple of passer-bys ask if there was a fire.
Used homes as well. In our market (Rio Rancho, NM) any homes listed between $150K and $250K are sold within 24 hours in bidding wars. I saw a 1,300 SF house in a dicey neighborhood listed for $155K, sell for $185K after 26 offers with the buyer winning the bidding by offering to pay the sellers closing costs. Word is that the house will not appraise out, but the buyer is willing to make up the difference out of pocket. Crazy.
Cheap money causes prices to rise. Basic economics.
At this point, don’t do the old Vortec V6 or Gen1/2 small block Chevy. Just don’t - the power output and bang for buck just aren’t there. Get yourself a Gen III+ V8 from a wrecked GM truck, run the stock fuel injection (with mods for your car) and call it done. Aftermarket development has moved to Gen III+ and parts prices are lower for them.
I get dealers emailing me for my 2012 Honda Accord EX L V6 with 31500 miles all the time. It’s paid and cherry mint. Wondering about trading for a Lexus. I dunno.
New cars are in very short supply and dealers are not making deals: High prices, high interest rates, low trade in values, take it or leave it.
Some are pricey.
Check a MB. 5 years and they are around 15%
Tech is killing used cars.
I think that’s less about cheap money and more about the fact that Californicators are fleeing to your area - Rio Rancho is on several lists of “best places for Bay Area Californians to move to” - along with my friend’s town of Reno, NV. She’s seen the exact same thing going on there, and specifically it’s because urban Californians are buying new residences and starting bidding wars against each other.
Is car manufacturing considered essential?
Mine has the old International 6 cylinder, and the AX-5 speed. I was surprised how much better it drove with a new transmission, without the wear. In fairness, most of that was highway miles - I doubt I’ve driven more than 100 miles in 4 x 4 since new. Good luck with yours!
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