Dart Swinger I found today - should I buy it?

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butterball

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Bowling Green / Nashville
Factory (pumpkin orange?) paint and white vinyl top, virtually rust free, factory 318 A/C car (blows warm but all the parts are there), has an aluminum intake and 4 barrel, dual exhaust, seems to be stock otherwise. Interior looks near-new (I think the front bench seat has been recovered in original-style upholstery), perfect headliner, small crack in corner of dash pad. Not so much as a parking lot ding anywhere on it!

Only problem is that the engine has a vibration. Oil pressure is good, no smoke, runs well - I'm guessing it has had some work done and has a converter-flexplate mismatch / balance problem.

What's it worth?

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i301/300x500/IMAG0001.jpg

IMAG0001.jpg
 
It's cool! That would be hard to say no to. What's it worth? Get it for a couple grand and you stole it. LOL What are they asking?
 
It is a nice looking car. Engine vibrations can be difficult to find sometimes. Mine was a bad vibration dampener, it was starting to seperate. I would not pay more than $2500 with the vibration problem, that is my opinion, others may very.
 
I'd buy it for the right price. Try to find out what the vibration is. Maybe a cracked harmonic balancer? How long has it been sitting there for sale?
 
They just put the For Sale sign in it today and parked it outside. It has been stored indoors.

It''s kind of weird - I tried to buy it from the guy a few years ago, but as it turns out... I had killed his Jack Russell terrier with my FedEx Ground truck when making a delivery to his house a few months prior and he wouldn't sell it to me.

He passed away, now his wife needs cash. $4,000 firm.
 
A friend had a 340 with a vibration in it turned out to be missing the skirts off one of the pistons dont offer too much with the vibration may need to be rebuilt
 
If it ran perfect but needed rust repaired or 1/4 panels replaced, maybe replace a fender due to damage. What would it cost to get a body in the shape of this one? A whole lot more than 4K alone! It's worth the money!
 
Oh, the answer to your thread title: If you can you should buy it.
 
Bring $4,000 but stash $500 in another pocket. Show her the $3500(Fan it in her face). If necessary work your way up to the $4,000. If it's as nice in person as the picture you can't lose. make sure you check real well underneath. Check for "swolen" panels and seams(like the ones over rear wheels) that can be an indication of hidden rust. Check floorboards & Trunk etc...Just don't let your emotions get you carried away.It looks like a great deal to me. Good luck
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
If it ran perfect but needed rust repaired or 1/4 panels replaced, maybe replace a fender due to damage. What would it cost to get a body in the shape of this one? A whole lot more than 4K alone! It's worth the money!
Click to expand...

That's what I'm thinkin'. One just sold on ebay not long ago for $4K that was covered in dings, had some rust, and had a big dent in the driver's quarter.

I'm thinking I can dig up another 318 for a few hundred bucks if I need to, get the A/C up and running, and cruise it until the Barracuda is done.
 
Need a better picture of that For Sale Sign !!! LOL
Start it and look at the Harmonic Balancer and see if it is wobbling or If it spinning true.
If it does not do it at idle and only in gear,have a friend power brake it and look at that balancer....
I would definitely use that vibration as a tool to lower that price!!!
That one clean Dart,
Good Luck,
TXDart
 
TXDart said:
Need a better picture of that For Sale Sign !!! LOL
Start it and look at the Harmonic Balancer and see if it is wobbling or If it spinning true.
If it does not do it at idle and only in gear,have a friend power brake it and look at that balancer....
I would definitely use that vibration as a tool to lower that price!!!
That one clean Dart,
Good Luck,
TXDart
Click to expand...

It is more noticeable at idle. No weird noises, just a vibration. Balancer, converter, etc. would be my guess.

Could be a miss firing spark plug could be a dozen different things, if it ain't banging, knocking or rattling (eg. piston skirt) just buy the SOB.
 
hell ya buy it, the vibration could be a miss firing plug. If it ain't banging, rattling (eg. piston skirt) or knocking it could be cheap fix.
 
Well, You got a head start on me !!!
I close shop at 6:00 pm tomorrow,by the time I load my trailer and have to wait for morning to close out one of my IRA accounts and head to Nashville.
About 874 miles one way,man that is 15 hour drive there and probably 20 hours back ,with Monday off I will be ready for work Tuesday.
Let me know you probably save me a bunch of money on fuel if you are going to buy it on Saturday.....I really have nothing else to do but maybe work on my 74....
LOL
Just buy it,that car rules!!!
Negotiate like others have stated flash some cash,tell her you are really concerned about that vibration and so and so qouted you 3k for a motor...
Do not make me do it ,the trip could kill me...Buy it for me and drive it for me...
TXDart
 
It's a good deal with the body in good shape. Engines are a dime a dozen. Rust free cars aren't.

I'd buy it.
 
It Could also be as small as a bad engine/Trans mount too.
Ask questions as to any known repairs done, It might point you in the direction of the Vib.
IE : Trans rebuild... bad mount / wrong torque convertor....Etc Etc
 
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