----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2003 12:04
AM
Subject: Re: IML: Bad news for my
'59
When you say "rebuild the engine" you should be thinking big
picture. The engine block and internals may be done for $2500 plus or
minus $500 depending on what you can get the new pistons and work done
for.
When I think "rebuild the engine", I think:
Recore radiator
Rebuild Carb
Rebuild Generator
Rebuild/replace distributor
New:
Coil
Plugs/Cap/Rotor/Wires
Water Pump
Power Steering Pump
Battery
Cables
Water hoses - heater & radiator
Power steering hoses
Repaint (at least - maybe redo?) air conditioning compressor
How's your transmission? Add $1000 for that while you're all apart
if it's as old as the carpet in the car. I am superstitious and feel
that things tend to wear together. A shiny new engine that's
stronger could put more stress on the trans and make it pop sooner or later
and then you're faced with another big messy repair. Additional labor to
get the trans out with the block should be negligible and possibly more
convenient.
============
The reason that I mention all of these parts is that you will have it all
apart now. Get in and finish everything off now. Otherwise you'll
have misc. parts failing regularly and frustrating the heck out of you
over time. If you redo everything, the car can be driven with confidence
and you'll KNOW that the mechanicals are done once and for all. I'd be
inclined to redo the propellor shaft, rear axle seals/lubricant and
brakes at the same time, and you'd be pretty much done. Easier said than
done, but done none-the-less.
I know that it's expensive, and maybe you have more time than money and
are willing to replace things part by part, but you will probably save some
serious greif and maybe avoid a spell sitting on the side of the road with a
failed whatever.
I feel your pain.
-Kenyon
Imperial59crown@xxxxxxx wrote:
Today I received the bad news from my
mechanic that my '59 Imperial has very poor combustion from two cylinders
now, and a leak in the brake booster, which would account for its lack of
power lately, and poor braking. Now I am faced with the decision to either
rebuild the engine, and brake booster, which will cost anywhere in the area
of $5,000.00 for the engine alone, or store the car for a while until I have
some time to shop around, and accumulate the funds for this undertaking. I
am going towards storing the car, since it is becoming difficult to keep
driving, having to put it in neutral at each stop light so the engine does
not die out. My question is does 5 grand sound like a lot to rebuild an
engine, and that is most likely the minimum with this mechanic?
Bill '59
Crown
Kenyon
Wills
San Lorenzo/SF Bay Area
Do you Yahoo!?
The
New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product
search
Back to the Home of the Forward Look Network