What would you do?

[BuickMike]

I've had my GN for over 8 years now and for the last year it has just sat in my garage with a blown headgasket. It was rough when I got it and as a project car it has been on the back burner most of the time. I've always been just patching things up to keep it alive, and when I blew the headgasket I decided to to touch the car until I could afford to do it right. Seeing as I have a wife and 2 year old son to support along with lotsa house upgrades, I don't think I'll be able to really dig into it for a good 2 or 3 years. Of course that's assuming things go well for me.

I've thought about selling it, but I have a good amount of money invested into the car given the things I've picked away at, so I doubt I'd take any offer thrown at me because I'd hate to lose me a$$ on it.

So, I'm thinking that maybe I should just put on a pair or new headgaskets and studs and enjoy it as it is.

I'm curious what others would do in my situation?

 

[SS_Sean]

Brutha, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. Family first, cars second (unless you're single like me). Get that car up and running on the cheap side, and enjoy it. Just drive it and enjoy it for what it is. Everything will fall into place. It make take a few years for the money to appear, but at least you've had a couple of years of driving it and tinkering with it in the mean time. Hey, this is just my opinion. I'm in the same boat as you. I've got an 86 GN I bought, and it's been sitting around. I haven't driven it much lately because it looks like fido's ass. I'm going to get it up and running, and drive it, and enjoy it, until I get the funds to finish it. HTH.

 

[BlackMetal]

Life's too short to not enjoy a Turbo Buick for the next two or three years. Get it running now so you can get some enjoyment out of it.

 

[SVORay]

Brutha, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. Family first, cars second (unless you're single like me).

Yes sir, I would go a head and fix those gaskets at any rate. They will go a long ways to help selling the car if you should deside to sell. It's probaly better on the car for storage to be able to start it everyonce and a while.

 

[Quiky One]

Put new headgaskets on it then slowly fix it up. Just dont let it sit and rot...Storage is worse than driving to most cars.

Jason

 

[SGRIM]

Get it running, enjoy it. Fix the rest when you can. Good luck, and have fun!

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

if the family thing is the problem (not in a bad way)
its ok for you to drive a beat up car
because you wont be going on any first dates.
Good luck dude.

 

[supercoupe5]

put the gaskets on it and drive it. you say in a few years you may have the money to do more to it or restore it. that is a good amount of time to wait, but at that time the boy will be 5+ and he can help by handing you wrenches or something. what better father/son bonding time than in the garage. dave

 

[BuickMike]

Thanks for all the replies. You've all made me feel a little better about driving around me beater. I guess I wanted to let it sit because the car is pretty rough and I'm too embarassed to take it out in front of other TR owners. just that fact alone has kind of killed the enjoyment factor for me.

I still really miss taking it out though. I'll make a point to get new head gaskets in this spring. I know this question should be thrown into the tech section, but given my setup what head gaskets should I go with and should I get some ARP head studs, or just re-use the stock bolts?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

Thanks for all the replies. You've all made me feel a little better about driving around me beater. I guess I wanted to let it sit because the car is pretty rough and I'm too embarassed to take it out in front of other TR owners. just that fact alone has kind of killed the enjoyment factor for me.

I still really miss taking it out though. I'll make a point to get new head gaskets in this spring. I know this question should be thrown into the tech section, but given my setup what head gaskets should I go with and should I get some ARP head studs, or just re-use the stock bolts?

Thanks,

Mike

From what I have read here if you put head studs you would have to remove the engine to install or remove the heads. Not shore but some one will confirm

 

[BuickMike]

From what I have read here if you put head studs you would have to remove the engine to install or remove the heads. Not shore but some one will confirm

Yikes! Okay, then maybe just get a new set of factory head bolts? I can post a seperate topic in the tech forum.

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

thats your best bet

 

[PaCemkr86]

fix that sucker and get it back on the road.. stompin down ricers, ls1's and mustangs !!

 

[DragulaGN]

I'll gladly take over your headache for 500.00 :biggrin:

 

[BuickMike]

I'll gladly take over your headache for 500.00 :biggrin:

Suuuuuure.

A buddy of mine made me an offer with an extra zero on top of what you said and I turned him down. I'm not prepared to take a hit like that just to get rid of my GN. The way KBB values are rising I feel it's worth it to restore this thing properly. One day we may actually be selling our cars for that kind of green.