Yellowbrick update:
I'm getting my tranny fixed at a shop. Just a leaky pan gasket that I did a few years ago when replacing a dented pan.
The car is running great (knock on the wood), but the rust is getting worse. Yesterday the spare tire almost fell through the trunk 1/4 floor storage area.
I replaced the other side a few years back and turned it into a sheet metal box to store tools and stuff. Now I've got to patch this side up if I can.
Last fall I patched up the rear floor with sheet metal. Then the inner rear 1/4's then the front floor. The rockers are patched up and bondoed. Safety has been compromised, but at least it's safer than falling through holes in the floor.
This car is dying of rust cancer big time, twenty years of road salt and snow do that. Rust is popping throught the paint along the entire lower part of the car.
How much time is left? I love this car the most. It will be hard to get rid of it. I may have to pull the (also rusty) 81 245 out of the garage storage and drive that once I fix a few things. Like the front bushings and the holes in the floor.
I really would like another late 70's early 80's 245 or 242 from down south or out west. Maybe I'll find one needing a motor and trans here in Toledo that's not rusted out, but as of yet, I've seen zero.
I recently bought an 87 240 for my wife to drive. It's pretty clean, but the rockers and one door are going and it's rusting around the windshield. I'm calling these car temporary for now. Out of patience and cash.
Ben