Dilemma. What would you do?

[ttocs]

I am not as talented as I look honestly most of what I have been doing has been learned on youtube or on some other site. now I have been spending more then I would like on tools the past couple years but that is something that you end up collecting over time. Hell I just pulled/installed my first motor this summer and I have been in over my head on this thing for a LONG time.

I though that $$$ was the issue here not the lack of tools/time/talent. How much do you owe on the car? Are you going to be able to sell it for more then you owe or are you upside down on the deal before you even get on the car lot? Not trying to bust your balls but just trying to make sure you are not making a mistake.

 

[Goldmember]

I am not as talented as I look honestly most of what I have been doing has been learned on youtube or on some other site. now I have been spending more then I would like on tools the past couple years but that is something that you end up collecting over time. Hell I just pulled/installed my first motor this summer and I have been in over my head on this thing for a LONG time.

I though that $$$ was the issue here not the lack of tools/time/talent. How much do you owe on the car? Are you going to be able to sell it for more then you owe or are you upside down on the deal before you even get on the car lot? Not trying to bust your balls but just trying to make sure you are not making a mistake.

I get what you're saying. The lack of tools/time/talent means that I must farm out the work. Figure 90/hr (about going rate in my area), and the labor of dropping, repairing, reinstalling trans adds up real fast. That makes the $ issue worse than it could be if I was able to do work on my own, which would save a good amount of money

The upside-down loan goes like this: Which situation will screw me the least: a) loss on trade-in or b) amount of $ needed to repair car. Say it's just a misdiagnosed TOB; ok, replace clutch and TOB, minimal ass-raping, keep car. Now, say it's input shaft bearing, which my dad believes it is: repair trans, who knows how much, I know my limits and wouldn't dream of attempting.

Something else came to mind, that damn Timeserted head. Strong repair but could let go any time. No way in hell I can remove and replace a head, again I have my limits. Probably cheaper to toss a 5.4 in (evil grin). Honestly, I'm starting to feel like I've run my course with it.

And so, the dilemma continues.

 

[the5.ohh]

Buddy of mine has a 3650 out of his new edge GT for sale here in Staten Island. He was quoted like 1k to rebuild it. Anyways. I've seen you go through a lot of issues with the car, and you've kept it through each one. Its just another hiccup in my opinion. If you can afford to fix the trans, or get a donor one from another GT, I'd lean toward that. On the other hand, you did mention rust starting to come about, and that would make me worry a bit. I undercoated mine all underneath, so it should help. But. If its draining your pocket, and the payments are too much, I'd part ways with it, keep the $$ you get for it and leave it on the side for another one when you're ready. Just my .02. In the end man, no matter what any of us says, do what YOU think is best for YOU and your family.

 

[Goldmember]

Buddy of mine has a 3650 out of his new edge GT for sale here in Staten Island. He was quoted like 1k to rebuild it. Anyways. I've seen you go through a lot of issues with the car, and you've kept it through each one. Its just another hiccup in my opinion. If you can afford to fix the trans, or get a donor one from another GT, I'd lean toward that. On the other hand, you did mention rust starting to come about, and that would make me worry a bit. I undercoated mine all underneath, so it should help. But. If its draining your pocket, and the payments are too much, I'd part ways with it, keep the $$ you get for it and leave it on the side for another one when you're ready. Just my .02. In the end man, no matter what any of us says, do what YOU think is best for YOU and your family.

Joe, what happened to your buddy's 3650 is exactly the situation I'd be facing. Similar cost and all. Anywhere else in the country we could grab 3650's for like 10 bucks (if we believe everything the internet says). Even if I bought a used trans, I don't know its history, and I could be putting in a trans with even more issues than the original unit. Why these things are so expensive to rebuild, I'll never know. Why Ford didn't just keep the T45 in it, I'll never know. Those are a dime a dozen.

When you're modding, you don't mind... when you do mind, is when your car payment pretty much doubles because of unforeseen and/or expensive repairs. For example, you're paying 250/mo, end up in a situation like mine, now it's 500 or more and that's BMW money.

Your old man still has the Mark VIII, I hope? (I know I always ask)

 

[the5.ohh]

Joe, what happened to your buddy's 3650 is exactly the situation I'd be facing. Similar cost and all. Anywhere else in the country we could grab 3650's for like 10 bucks (if we believe everything the internet says). Even if I bought a used trans, I don't know its history, and I could be putting in a trans with even more issues than the original unit. Why these things are so expensive to rebuild, I'll never know. Why Ford didn't just keep the T45 in it, I'll never know. Those are a dime a dozen.

When you're modding, you don't mind... when you do mind, is when your car payment pretty much doubles because of unforeseen and/or expensive repairs. For example, you're paying 250/mo, end up in a situation like mine, now it's 500 or more and that's BMW money.

Your old man still has the Mark VIII, I hope? (I know I always ask)

Yeah I hear you. Both of my buddies have new edges, and had tranny issues and needed new clutches. I wouldn't buy a used trans unless I knew it was rebuilt, like my T5 is. But yeah shit piles up, it gets annoying. Yeah he still has the mark man, its running strong. Needs a tune up, and now its leaking in the driveway, I think its coming from the tranny. He's thinking of selling it along with the other car and just get one newer car. I feel annoyed sometimes that my car is 20 years old. Its like random shit goes, and now my hoods clear is going, so add that to the list.

 

[Goldmember]

Is he sure it's the trans? Could be at the front cover, could be oil filter adapter gasket, which is notorious for failing on them.

I get it on random shit failing, started out with a string of old, higher-mileage cars, eventually you just get sick of it. That paint issue sucks; started happening on my '97 and one of the reasons I unloaded it.

 

[ttocs]

I see your point about risking getting an unknown/bad tranny but you run the risk of getting a bad tranny I your used car as well. You have a pretty good idea what is going out or wrong with your car and with that you can prepare for what might be coming up where as with the used car you might be buying the exact same situation that you are trying to get out of. There is no way to know if they got rid of that car because then thought/knew that it was going to be having problems.

But I guess it all comes down to what you owe on it still and what you can get out of it. But good luck kinda damned if ya do and if ya don't.

 

[Kboss87]

Maybe part it out?

 

[Kboss87]

If you do decide you want a trans, I have a buddy with a good 3650 in his garage. I can ask him if he is interested in selling it. Located in SE Pennsylvania.

 

[the5.ohh]

Is he sure it's the trans? Could be at the front cover, could be oil filter adapter gasket, which is notorious for failing on them.

I get it on random shit failing, started out with a string of old, higher-mileage cars, eventually you just get sick of it. That paint issue sucks; started happening on my '97 and one of the reasons I unloaded it.

He didn't notice it until I noticed a few decent sized spots in the driveway and I said it. I didn't get a chance to look underneath it yet, maybe over the weekend. It seems to be further back than where the front main seal would be, closer to the front of the trans area, but it could be what you mentioned. So I'll have to look into it, only has 92,000 miles on it. Yeah it sucks man, especially being 18, in college, paying for everything on my own, so it all adds up real quick. The hoods clear is starting to go, and its pretty noticeable, bothers the shit out of me because I'm ocd and keep it as clean as possible, side skirts need paint, rear bumpers clear is shot, rear quarters have some nice scratches.. And all this paint stuff like the bad scratches and some fading is from the previous owners, nobody cared for the paint at all. Maybe washed it with leaves who knows lmfao. Mine only has 57k on it, actually closer to 58 right now. Anyways good luck with whatever ya do dude.

 

[DeepList]

I may have skipped it somewhere in the thread, but I didn't see where you mentioned how much you still owe on it. Honestly, I'd either sell it or part it out and (hopefully) use the money to pay off the balance on the loan and move on. Used trannys are always a crap shoot, especially if you're dealing with some d-bag. I sold the 3650 from my white cobra project to a guy on craigslist for $350 and I warned him ahead of time that I don't know the history of it and if it turned out to be a piece of shit to bring it back and I will give him his money back. He reported back a week or so later and said it's perfect and has 0 problems... if you decide to go used tranny hunting, you may not be so lucky... go back and read about some of the headaches chris91 had. Not only that, but you already know how I feel about the time-sert stuff... (not going there again) and I just wouldn't mess with it if I were you especially if the tin worm has already taken residence all over.

 

[chris91]

F**K Used Transmissions... That is all...

 

[Goldmember]

I may have skipped it somewhere in the thread, but I didn't see where you mentioned how much you still owe on it. Honestly, I'd either sell it or part it out and (hopefully) use the money to pay off the balance on the loan and move on. Used trannys are always a crap shoot, especially if you're dealing with some d-bag. I sold the 3650 from my white cobra project to a guy on craigslist for $350 and I warned him ahead of time that I don't know the history of it and if it turned out to be a piece of shit to bring it back and I will give him his money back. He reported back a week or so later and said it's perfect and has 0 problems... if you decide to go used tranny hunting, you may not be so lucky... go back and read about some of the headaches chris91 had. Not only that, but you already know how I feel about the time-sert stuff... (not going there again) and I just wouldn't mess with it if I were you especially if the tin worm has already taken residence all over.

I know better, now. I was under the initial impression that it would outlast the car; turns out that isn't true; you were right and I apologize for the douchery I committed. What you said about used transmissions is exactly why I am very hesitant to pull the trigger on that. A new unit... I don't even want to think about that.

Car is in for a better diagnosis now; should know by day's end where I stand. Hopefully, I get off easy, and it's a TOB. If that's true, fix, and still trade in. Riding on a timebomb.

I still owe in the low 5's on it. No matter how you slice it, a hit will be taken, be it on repair or trade. It's been a good car, but there comes a point where you decide enough is enough, know what I mean?

For the parts vultures, hi guys lol, but parting out a car I still owe money on is bound to get me in serious trouble.

If I trade it, I'll post where, so you'll all know to avoid it. Chances are a 17 year old will get it and wrap it around a tree.

F**K Used Transmissions... That is all...

I've no experience but I'm going to second it anyway.

 

[DeepList]

I know better, now. I was under the initial impression that it would outlast the car; turns out that isn't true; you were right and I apologize for the douchery I committed.

Don't sweat it.

What you said about used transmissions is exactly why I am very hesitant to pull the trigger on that. A new unit... I don't even want to think about that.

Yeah, I agree, a new transmission would be out of the question given the circumstances, but if you do decide after all to take your chances on a used tranny, just make sure you buy from somebody who's not an ass hat and get a warranty in writing, even if it's hand written from a private seller... dated and signed.

I still owe in the low 5's on it. No matter how you slice it, a hit will be taken, be it on repair or trade. It's been a good car, but there comes a point where you decide enough is enough, know what I mean?

Ouch

For the parts vultures, hi guys lol, but parting out a car I still owe money on is bound to get me in serious trouble.

Not necessarily, as long as you fulfill your end of the car note, they won't know/care. Parting out any vehicle typically yields more than selling it outright, but of course you have the time and hassle involved. Interior trim bezels, seats, wheels, engine components, etc. It adds up fast. I'm fairly confident that you would be able to pull 5 grand if you part the entire thing out and scrap the rest... I don't know how busy you are with work/life/family, but it should be something to consider at least.

 

[Goldmember]

Not necessarily, as long as you fulfill your end of the car note, they won't know/care. Parting out any vehicle typically yields more than selling it outright, but of course you have the time and hassle involved. Interior trim bezels, seats, wheels, engine components, etc. It adds up fast. I'm fairly confident that you would be able to pull 5 grand if you part the entire thing out and scrap the rest... I don't know how busy you are with work/life/family, but it should be something to consider at least.

Time is the issue. Without someone around to watch Madison, I don't even have the hour or two I need to get my lawn tractor running (****ing electrics on a 25 year old Wheel Horse), much less part the GT out. Sometimes, I contemplate popping a fuel line loose, and going for a drive...or parking it in the ghetto with the door open and engine running. Not that it's insurance fraud, or anything.

 

[Goldmember]

[MENTION=9338]chris91[/MENTION] I just looked up your trans threads. Holy crap. Did you get a good trans since?

 

[Goldmember]

WE HAVE A VERDICT......................

Looks like the pressure plate has some bent forks, causing it to bobble up and down. That explains why the noise shuts up when the pedal is depressed. I am having the clutch replaced with a NAPA kit as soon as possible. This should get me through the winter, come spring then I'll be looking to trade on a newer Mustang (Mach 1 would be nice). 6 more months of payments = should break even on a trade or at least much smaller difference.

Thank God it's not in the trans. Guess this is the best possible outcome and now I don't have to toss it for something I didn't want in the first place.

 

[DeepList]

Good news. Glad to hear it.

 

[chris91]

No I still limp it around with no third or fourth. Good thing I have my Explorer. I am going to have my original T45 rebuilt this winter though. Was supposed to happen a couple months ago but the old ladies medical bills took first priority.

 

[Goldmember]

UPDATE... I'M AFRAID I'VE GOT SOME BAD NEWS............

So, the car is halfway through the clutch replacement. TOB was toast, disc and pressure plate looked fine. Lots of meat left. What could the problem be?

To the right of the passenger-side exhaust manifold a 5 to 6" section of the frame rail is rotted through. It would fail the "screwdriver poke test" with flying colors. Then, there's no telling how far in either direction that rail is rusting from the inside...

I'm at a total loss. Sink all that $ into a clutch job just to find out that, were this visible, the car wouldn't pass inspection.

Needless to say, I'm thinking it's not worth it to drop the K to get to this area of the frame, and any thought of keeping the car is pretty much out the window. When I trade it in, I'll be sure to tell you all where I did. That way, you'll know to avoid it.