Kermit is ready to come home -- Need Help

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Originally Posted by Cornpanzer

Man, you guys are quick and eager to bash this guy. As I recall, it has been pretty clear that Mike didnt do any of the mechanical work on the car?

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Cornie:

You're right, there was NO mechanical work scheduled, planned, or paid for on this car. This was intended to be a bare metal repaint. It became much more of a restoration (of the body). I believe that Mike is an honest broker in this deal. I don't believe that he sold me a bill of goods. He knows that I am very visible on the boards, and he isn't dumb. He just repacked the front wheels - no charge, and he just put new brakes on the front - no charge, and he just put a new master cylinder in it - no charge. And he has done a great job on this car, metalwork and paint. You Midwest guys will see it in a few weeks, and you can speak honestly after that.

I think that I have just run into a bit of bad luck here. Call me naive, but I don't think I've been duped.

larry

At this point it is irrelevent anyway. You own the car and will be picking it up very soon. Practical advice is what is needed now. What will be your entire route home?

Maybe the question is, am I at risk of a total breakdown with numbers like that? It's a long walk from Tennessee.

larry

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Originally Posted by larry47us

I seem to remember Paul saying that early cars all cost $25K. So if you buy a car for $15K, you will probably need to put $10K into it.

Smug Larry felt that he had beaten the mark by getting this car, ready to fly for $20K. Well, there is another $5K in there somewhere. I am sad about this event, but know that it is easier to fix an engine than to fix a body. Most of the mechanicals can be done a bit at a time, over time, with me learning and doing along the way. The body, not so easy. And the body, you will see from the photos, is really really nice.

So, in spite of the fact that Tom wants me to host an "engine rebuilding" party, I need some direct information. The brakes have been redone, so no problem there. Will I have any immediate problems driving with this engine? Both Mike and Spencer say that the engine runs well now. Spencer said 1 - 3 years for a top end.

How likely is it that there is carbon involved here? Is that just wishful thinking? Harry - what is an Italian Tuneup? Obviously the engine had a recent top end done, or the numbers on the other 4 cylinders wouldn't be so low. What would cause two cylinders to have such radically bad numbers? Do I hasten the top end if I drive the car hard, or doesn't it matter? Should I keep the revs down - below 5.5K - or doesn't it matter?

Some experienced answers would be welcomed.

larry

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Larry,

Italian Tuneup == Driving the car at high rpms for a while to clear the carbon off of the valves.

If the the car had a recent top end (documented) then I am still thinking to leakdown is telling you a problem that ranges from carbon (good outcome) to a overrev and bent valves (bad outcome). The fact the guy doing the PPI is telling you that this is an issue needing to be adressed in the future but is still ok to drive has me leaning to carbon, not bent valves.

As I said above, I drove my car for with worn valves and mucho smoke for almost two years (2-400 miles/quart). During this time, I autocrossed it once a month (spring/sumer/fall) and went on weekend trips. In the end, I needed to replace all of my valves due to excessive wearm in addtion to the usual stuff in a top end.

Bottom line, if the car is as represented, make your best deal and move on.

Harry:

Thanks for the comments. The deal is done. I bought this car last August, and the body work and paint were part of the total deal. Same with the other items. There is no negotiation at this point. He never represented the engine as new or tight. He gave me numbers and let me make my own decision.

The only decision now is - will the car get me from CT to Chicago on this trip, or do I need to truck it back. Your comment leads me to believe that these issues won't stop me from driving.

larry

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Originally Posted by HarryD

Larry,

Italian Tuneup == Driving the car at high rpms for a while to clear the carbon off of the valves.

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Harry:
Mike put techron in the car, and ran it for about 20 miles. He said that it could take up to a couple of hundred miles to burn off carbon.

So, if I tried the "Italian Tune-up," the question is how high an RPM and for how long? And if it isn't carbon, but really a valve problem, do I run the risk of damaging the valves/engine more?

larry

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Originally Posted by larry47us

Harry:
Mike put techron in the car, and ran it for about 20 miles. He said that it could take up to a couple of hundred miles to burn off carbon.

So, if I tried the "Italian Tune-up," the question is how high an RPM and for how long? And if it isn't carbon, but really a valve problem, do I run the risk of damaging the valves/engine more?

larry

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Larry,

Ultimately it is your call how to proceed. Personally, I would ask the PPI Mech his thoughts and decide as you feel best. Make sure he understands your concern on potential valve damage and press him a bit on how he knows it is ok (if that is what he said).

However it turns out, welcome to the adventure!

If you decide to drive, I would think rpms at 4-5k should be adequate but try (ha-ha) to stay away from red-line (I know I have a hard time when I am at a lace where it is possible :))

don't mean to be negative,but what can go wrong will go wrong;truck the car,it's only $600-700 about the cost of airfare for two fuel and expenses for the trip.then take care of it properly,don't cut corners,do the right thing now and enjoy many years of fun filled driving

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Originally Posted by fg1227

don't mean to be negative,but what can go wrong will go wrong;truck the car,it's only $600-700 about the cost of airfare for two fuel and expenses for the trip.then take care of it properly,don't cut corners,do the right thing now and enjoy many years of fun filled driving

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AND...if something goes wrong? You can always truck the car! That's the problem with this early 911 thing. There is always one view, and there is always the "on the other hand" view... :rolleyes:

Well, Frank, Harry, Paul, I guess the decision is up to me. I do plan on stopping by the shop that did the PPI. I was just going to go to glad-hand, but now I have a mission. I feel very positive about the car, and our trip. If worst comes to worst, I will have to shuffle and dance. But I'll deal with that when it comes.

In the meantime, think positive thoughts - even you Frank - and I will give you guys a complete update when I return. Catching a plane tomorrow at 7:00 PM, first visit with Kermit at about 8:00 AM the next morning.

Getting really close.

larry