For all of you that thought basket cases were stickly old cars, I have a newer one on my hands.
a late 1994 Beretta. No engine, some parts in the trunk, customer providing what is supposed to be a correct engine from a salvage yard out of the area. Parts missing such as Torque Converter, fly wheel, engine mounts.
The car was taken to another local "mechanic" who when he could not locate the 1994-erly 1996 3.1 (3100 gen 3 heads V6) conned the customer in to have him rebuild the engine. A year or so later, with little work done to the car, alot of money spent on new parts, and no hopes of it ever being done, the customer got the vehical back.
A good number of bolts and major items are there. The customer got most of the engine back, minus things like push rods, connecting rods, ect. So I convinced them a compleate running engine from a salvage yard would be more econimcal then paying me to build the engine, and have to buy more parts for it.
Im expected to get this car up and running in the next few weeks. I went over with the trailer and snaged the car on thursday, and am awaiting the engine.
For the customers what happened was about their worst automotive nightmare. They got took, their car is missing parts, they have an engine in boxes, minus the block. And the big question is, how much stuff will Irealize I don't have when it goes back together.
For this car will be a problem. I like the customer, and do a good bit of work for them. I had put off this job till one of us could find an engine with under 80K (there figure, not mine) that was a drop in assembly (IE: not more then having to drill and tap bolt hole #6 for the A/C mount)
The worst part of all for me is the engine they are getting. It's coming from a yard Ihave never heard of. it supposedly has 66K miles, yet needed head gaskets, which they are supposedly doing. If they don't do something right, how will it reflect on my relations with this customer? How can I hounestly warrentee my work?
Basket cases aren't fun for anyone. Charles