david_alford

I'm checking out a '83 for sale....the seller sent me pics of her underbelly because I am far away from the car.

Just wanted to share the pics here for the experts to see......

Please share comments, thanks!!!

finally!

Looks like some leaks on gaskets.. possibly steering rack seals as well...

jeff spahn

looks like it needs new motor mounts and oil pan gasket

Doug_B_928

Still has the original aluminum ball joint carriers. You will want to changes those. You can re-use two of the eccentrics. Search this forum for a procedural write-up for changing the ball joints and a method for keeping the alignment as close as possible. You'll also need to get an alignment done after changing the ball joints. So, depending on the existing tires, this is probably a good time to put on new tires too.

david_alford

Thanks for the responses!

If it needs motor mounts and oil pan gasket, about how much are those repairs? Still worth buying in $6k range?

I should have mentioned the exterior and interior are excellent and all original. Leather seats are near perfect. Just a crack or two on the dash. a/c blows cold, all power items work. nearly new brakes and tires. Car has a long service history and was last seen by a dealer one year ago.

david_alford

I should have also mentioned I have no where to work on this car at this time - all needed repairs will be done by a 928 specialist shop in my area, still researching where to take it.

I'm in NYC metro area.

david_alford

Thanks Doug - and btw I LOVE the shark in your avatar! Stunning color!

Bill Ball

OPG and MM is a nasty 10-12 hour job. So, you can figure the labor charge.

It's hard to tell from the pics, but what I see is a lot of evidence of old, old oil leaks. Some fresh oil on passenger side of pan. Caked grime elsewhere that looks rather dry. The car looks UNTOUCHED, especially judging by the aluminum ball joint carriers. Lots of surface rust on the cleaner parts.

$6K would be good for a car that had current maintenance, but you probably will be faced with a lot of work on this car even beyond the OPG & MM. This car looks like it has a LOT of deferred maintenance at the very least.

Lizard928

This car looks like it has sat for YEARS.

I would say that $6k is too high for an 83.

IcemanG17

I agree with Bill.......$6k is far too high for this car..... It does look like a highly original underside...which is NOT good for a 28 year old car.... motor mounts-oil pan gasket is not easy.....figure the steering rack is also shot.....thats a solid weekend of work.....

On top of the normal timing belt-waterpump....but judging by the grime on this car it probably needs the oil pump resealed, front+rear main seal & cam seals......maybe more..... If you take it to a shop it could cost $6k to bring up to date.....

NoVector

Looks like an east coast car—driven in salt/snow..

Pic 1 – Pumpkin looks like it’s rusted through
Pic 2 – No drips—that’s good
Pic 3 – Trans pan leaking; would be changed during a fluid flush so maybe no biggie
Pic 4 – Torque converter bleeding--since the converter looks dry, assume it’s not something simple like a lose drain plug
Pic 5 – Original exhaust, but not covered in oil from the engine
Pic 6 – Original
Pic 7 – Sway bar bushings are shot; but it looks like the PS hoses aren’t leaking. But man, that exhaust looks bad!
Pic 8 – Obvious oil pan leak—and all the ground points would have to be cleaned (might have some electrical gremlins)
Pic 9 – That oil filter and drain plug haven’t been moved in a long, long time
Pic 10 – Hard to tell what’s going on with the compressor; I think it’s just engine oil. Did the owner say if the A/C worked?
Pic 11 – On a positive note, it hast the factory belly pan
Pic 12 – Obvious oil pan leak… But the steering rack/control arm boots don’t’ seem to have tears
Pic 13 – Nice to see even tire wear; alignment seems okay
Pic 14 – Brake rotors look pretty old—maybe original
Pic 15 – Factory axle; would guess suspension too.

I’m with Bill and the rest—this car hasn’t had any maintenance on the underside in a while as there’s nothing shiny and new. Safety would be my biggest concern--i.e., rusted exhaust, brakes, ball joints, etc. Hate to judge based only on the bottom, but that does not look like a $6K 1983 928.

atb

I'm guessing converter seal or pump seal, either way the tranny would need to be dropped.

david_alford

Thanks for all the replies! Great info much appreciated! At 5 months, I feel my search is only beginning ;-)

928mac

There was an 82 on here last week for $3000, and AFAIK it is still for sale.
check around and buy the best you can because most will still need work.

Skiviking

I agree with Bill too.... I have a 83 auto myself that I got looking like yours from underneath. Looks like some of the old leaks have been sprayed with brake cleaner to dry them out, if this car has been run recently to make it not look so bad. But I think 6 is for a car with at least good records of when repairs or maintance has been done..even if it is basic records. But I would think 3-4 is more inline... Best of luck whatever you decide. Lots of great help here..if you need it.