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Hi, Matt and Bob!
Thanks for the info on the ECU and the encouraging advice.
Here are the issues as I see them from my first view of the car:
-- inoperative blower motor and temp control. Labor-pricey, and I've done these several times on my various 240s, so that's an attribute, as far as selling price is concerned.
-- driver's door window out of track and bad windup regulator (yes, it's manual windows, which I think is a plus). I've got a spare regulator in my basement.
-- tailgage dent -- ugly, but no paint blemish.
-- left rear door dent -- ugly, but again, no broken paint
-- oil all over the exhaust side of the block, from the valve cover oil cap all the way down to the motor mount. Vapors come out when the oil lid is removed, so I'm assuming clogged flame trap assembly. I can fix that, but I made a big fuss about it with them. The rear gasket on the cylinder head (blocking the distributor drive for the 740 application of the B230)is intact, and has no fresh oil -- just general grunge. An IPD plate will go on right away if I get this car. Oil inside valve cover is clean (no milkshake). And that motor mounts should be replaced.
-- inoperative temp. gauge. I'm thinking bad temp. comp. board as the motor was comfortably hot while it was running. I may just remove the board and bridge the pins to get a direct reading.
-- missing door pockets -- big surprise...
-- unknown history of timing belt, so that's an immediate replacement, considering all the oil, plus the tensioner. And front end seals at the same time.
-- exhaust leak at upstream end of rear muffler. I've got a spare muffler in my basement.
-- car smells like an ashtray. This may be the kiss of death... I don't know if I can deal with the smell for the three or so years for it to dissipate. Any ideas outside of taking it to a professional detailer?
-- an automatic transmission. Gees, I hate autos, and I may just swap my M46 over from my '83 this summer if I get this car. If I'm too lazy, then I'll have to learn to live with the AW, I s'pose.
Attributes:
-- 130,000 miles, seemingly legitimate
-- paint in excellent shape, save for a few dings.
-- no underside rust anywhere. That's a *must* for my next 245.
-- new alternator
-- the door window and heating problems are labor-costly repairs for these folks, and I can do them easily enough when the weather warms up, so I see them as an attribute which will enable me to acquire the car pretty inexpensively.
The car is listed as $1000 or best offer. For a rust-free late 245 with low mileage in our area, that's very good. With the 'issues' I think I could probably get it for $700-$800.
Thanks again for your advice!
Rob Kuhlman
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