1G Purchase advise, 1992 Talon AWD automatic

[beegeezy]

Hi everyone,

I'm interested in purchasing a 1992 Talon that is about two hours away from my home. I've gone to look at the car, here are the details:

1992 Talon TSi AWD automatic
97k miles
new timing belt, wp, etc. (OE parts)
new axles, brakes, tires
full respray of factory color
leather interior (good shape)
100% original, no mods

The car is owned by a mechanic, and he's had it for 10 years. It's been sitting inside his shop for the last two years with a bad TCM. Unfortunately, he didn't fill up the fuel tank or start the car for the last two years. The fuel pump is dead and there is surface rust in the tank. He did get it to run by squirting gas into the intake tube (entering the throttle body) while I cranked the car. It ran surprisingly well considering and had good oil pressure on the factory gauge.

I know the car needs to have the fuel tank cleaned. I got a quote from a local radiator shop to clean and line the tank for $150. I'll need a new fuel pump/sock, and filter too. I would like to upgrade the pump but don't want to mess with the FPR right now. I also see that forcedfour sells a shift box that I can use to replace the bad TCM.

So...he was asking $2500 and I have offered $1600. He initially said he could do $1800, but I think it's worth less since it needs a fair amount of work.

Any thoughts? Anything to look out for in this situation?

 

[AWD-Tony]

Any ideas why my timing belt cover would look like this? I realize the belts and pulleys were cutting into it, I'm just not sure why.

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I had similar marks on my cover when I did the tbelt. No issues before and after tbelt job.

 

[AWD-Tony]

Just make sure nothing is rubbing

 

[motomattx]

Your dampener is likely coming apart, thats what usually causes that, barring the bolts were loose on the dampener.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Any ideas why my timing belt cover would look like this? I realize the belts and pulleys were cutting into it, I'm just not sure why.

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Ouch!
Are you sure it was properly installed?
I'm not sure for 1g's but I know some cars will have spacers to hold it away from the components.

 

[beegeezy]

I have already ordered a new damper. The original has some cracks in it but is still in one piece. The water pump pulley bolts were on finger tight and some of the bolts holding the timing cover on were wrong. Two of the bolts were from the spark plug cover on the valve cover.