So I spent months and months looking for a truck. Finally found one I like. Test drove it and all seemed fine. Today I turned up to collect it and paid for it. All seemed fine. Driving at 55 on the freeway 30 minutes away and I start hear knocking and white smoke blowing out the back. I got to the side of the freeway and discover a fist sized hole in the side of the block!!

Previous owner says he feels bad but there's nothing he can do! Now he's ignoring me.

I get towed to an auto shop and it needs a new engine.

Is there anything I can do with regards the previous owner?

 

Probably not, it'll cost you more in attorney fees than replacing the engine.

Did the ad the seller placed say anything about the engine?

 

Nothing about the engine. It ran sweet according to him. I couldn't find anything wrong with it either.

 

Since the seller made no statement that "expressed a warranty" .. sadly, you're SOL

 

You might want to check your state laws..

In MA we have lemon laws and it would have covered that

 

MA would have a lemon law on a 42 year old vehicle sold by a private party?
Used Vehicle Warranty Law

I read it, OP would have a tough time proving the seller knew this thing was ready to spit a rod. How do you mask such a thing long enough to allow a test drive? I don't think there is a trick in the book that would allow a motor to run 30 minutes without knocking, banging, hammering away, etc with a rod ready to let go.

OP is in CA. Lemon law is for dealers only here.
https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/cars

In Ca, beware when buying. In MA, beware when selling.

For the OP, it's time to visit the FE forum and chart a course to a new motor.

 

The auto shop I got towed to turned out to be a really good bunch. They are going to look for a replacement engine for me.

The seller is not interested.

 

Stuff happens, unfortunately. It's part of having a 40+ year old truck.
A few years back I bought an Alfa Romeo from a neighbor, didn't make it out of his driveway before it skipped the timing belt and touched all the intake valves. Oh well, these things are a gamble. Two years later I had had the heads rebuilt, reinstalled, and now it's my daily driver.
At least now having a shop install the engine you will likely have at least a 90day warranty.

 

funfunstuie if you were not so far away my machinist has a completely rebuilt 390 Police Interceptor engine sitting in his shop. I almost bought it for a previous project. Its ready to bolt in and run right here in West Texas.

 

What year is this car 390 PI engine? 1961/64 or 1965/69?

 

Is the body in awesome condition? If so, re-engine it and be happy to have a vintage truck.

 

How much does he want for it? Just out of interest, shipping might kill it though

 

you ever find an engine? me thinks I might know where one is.... und I might could sweet talk you a deal.... if I recall correctly it's only a long block though...

Let the sniffing commence!


^^^
I enjoy hunting for old junk lol

 

Sorry for the long delay. I missed this post. He wants a grand for it. Its complete from intake down to oil pan which may need to be switched for your use. Have you found a engine yet?

 

yes I found an engine. The truck is still at the same auto shop. I found a running engine but the shop has not fitted it as they are saying the heads need to be machined.

I bought this truck for $4500 and I paid $600 for another engine. I have not yet driven this truck home. I told the shop it's in that I have $2k to get this back up and running. They are telling me it's going to cost a lot more than that to fix it.

My issue is i have nowhere to store it if I bring it home. And it doesn't seem to me this shop it's in now is going to get it back on the road.

I might have to call it quits and sell it on. Which is a ****ing bummer but I can't put anymore money into a truck I haven't even driven for more than 30 minutes.

Do you think I could get $3500 for a truck with 1 and a half engines?