1988 2.0 2WD-WORTH BUYING?

[jtv64]

Considering buying a 1998 2.0 2WD, is it worth $300?
Needs head gasket, has oil consumption/low compression.
No title, been stored past 15 years, starts but runs rough
Input appreciated

 

[Dirtman]

It's worth about 300 in scrap metal.... so why not. Worst case scenario you give up, scrap it and get your money back. Or part it out and maybe make a profit.

Dont know how hard it is to get a title in your state. If you plan on buying it to restore and drive that would be the first thing to check on.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

If the body and frame are ok, then definitely.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

In fact, you're in Alabama. If it's an extended cab, and you don't want it, I do!!

 

[Curious Hound]

$300 sounds like an ok price. Sounds like a good candidate for an engine swap.

Pictures???????

 

[Shran]

I guess it depends what you want to do with it. If it was here and the body was in good shape, I'd try to pick it up for a lot less than that... the missing title is the killer. They are impossible to deal with in South Dakota - virtually impossible to ever transfer it again once it's gone and very hard to dispose of a vehicle with no title. Dunno how it is down there.

A junk engine is a bummer too. I had my 2.3 (same block) rebuilt by what I was told was reputable shop and it cost me around $1500. Ended up having a bunch of issues with it but that's besides the point, the other three machine shops I called wanted $2500 up for a basic rebuild. They are spendy to go through.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I paid 375 for my 87 2.9/2wd.

If its got a good body/frame, go to the boneyard and find ya a good 2.0 (they gotta be a dime a dozen), bolt it in and truck on down the road.

The 2.0 is an absolute turd for power, but seems to be reliable from what ive seen.

Even if you had to do a motor and tranny its still worth it. Anytime you save a 1st/2nd gen from being crushed and turned into new kias its worth it.

Cant look at these old trucks in a dollar and cents frame of mind, gotta see them as "ya know, they dont make these anymore" kinda mindset.

 

[Shran]

That's the problem with first gens, especially 4 cylinder first gens. They are very hard to find parts for. Good engines don't exist in junkyards, our best junkyard out here for older vehicles only has a couple RBVs. First gen Explorers are even harder to find parts for... they are all getting crushed.

I looked HARD when I needed a 2.3 for mine and couldn't find one anywhere. Unfortunately "they don't make these anymore" works both ways... good parts become unobtainable.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Www.car-part.com.

 

[Dirtman]

NJ title work sucks. Impossible to get a title for a vehicle without one. I bought my mustan with no title and restored it. Then bought a junker for a couple hundred bucks with a title and swapped vin tags. Lol I have a firebox with 4 titles and vin tags to mustang's if I ever find another one I want to build.

 

[sgtsandman]

Look for the availability of a used engine. If you can’t find one for a decent price, pass.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I just assumed mobile for a zip code...but theirs 2.0s around....

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Need I say it??

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Need I say it??

Morana does make carbed intakes...be a pretty easy swap at that point...

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Mmhmm

Replace it with this.