INSPECTION of CAR for SALE

Hi All,
I've been a follower of the Two Sixties for a few years and was close to buying a ZT 260 in 2007 but a move back to the Middle East (construction not fighting wars) put a stop to that.
Tim Hayton was very helpful at that time and I've been in touch with him recently regarding a potential purchase.

I'll be returning to UK in near future and have been looking for a suitable V8 for a while now - have wavered between ZT and 75 but 75 is getting my vote (must be my age!) even though I love the ZT's exhaust sound and sportier looks.

Have been in contact with a 75 V8 owner who is now looking to sell.
I'm looking for a recommendation for a company/engineer to carry out an inspection on a 75 V8
I've had inspections done by AA, RAC and independent engineers in the past on cars but I think the 75 (or 260) needs an engineer or company which has the specialist knowledge of these cars.
Car is in Leeds and I'll be extremely grateful for recommendations.
I've asked the owner about the heater hose and valve and the fuel clip which I know are problems on the car.
Am waiting for this info and details of car's service history including info on usual replacement items - discs/pads, exhaust etc
If any Two Sixties member in the area could spare some time to look the car over I'll be very grateful - am aware of members' enthusiasm for the cars and their willingness to assist newcomers in viewings

Thanks in anticipation

Gary Vickers

Linden Cahill is in Huddersfield and very familiar with the V8's (owns one and has a MoT station/workshop)
Done work for various members and always got the thumbs up for the quality.

https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc26...-LINDEN-CAHILL

Wow, what a quick reply
Thanks VMax1000 - will get a pm off to him

If you can give us a few details, reg or Vin number we might already have some info on the car we can let you have.

Reg is VX 54 OGY Will advise VIN when I have it.
I pm'd Tim and he had no record of accidents etc logged
Thanks

p.m sent gary

Big thank you to Linden who inspected the R75 V8 for me and for the advice he gave me re the things he found wrong.
VIN number is 752 04 Reg 75,000 miles MOT to Aug 2012 3 owners - current owner since summer 06 Romano LPG fitted by 2nd owner
Owner was looking for 7k in Jan when mileage was 66,000

Apologies for the lengthy message but am looking for advice on availability/costs for the following which need to be sorted :
I have a copy of 'Spunagain's check list - very helpful

MAJOR
Both rear springs broken - have been told they're Rimmer part no RKB000820 and available at 248.87/pair. I can't find them on Rimmer's website
Diff pinion oil seal needs replacing
Engine management light is on - owner says has has been on all the time he's had car and understands it is due to LPG being fitted
Linden thought there was a misfire and possibly a coil needed replacing. Can't find coils on Rimmers - available??
MINOR/CONSUMABLES
Wheels ('star' alloys) need refurb - 60each seems to be usual cost
Front pads (don't know if/when disks have been replaced
Needs front tyres
n/s/f ball joint
twisted brake hose
loose headlamp, foglamp not working, brake light out

As far as I know it hasn't has the heater valve and hose upgrade or the fuel pump clip fitted.
Should I be concerned about major items which have not been repaired or replaced but which could fail in near future due to age/mileage?? :
Exhaust
coils
a/c compressor
fan motor
shock absorbers
front disks

and finally, does LPG need servicing regularly? Owner has no service records for the system

Thanks

Gary

MAJOR
Both rear springs broken - have been told they're Rimmer part no RKB000820 and available at 248.87/pair. I can't find them on Rimmer's website
Springs are different on the 75 than on the ZT. Sometimes up on ebay

Diff pinion oil seal needs replacing
Not really a problem, Linden can do that or Nick at Austing done a few

Engine management light is on - owner says has has been on all the time he's had car and understands it is due to LPG being fitted
Properly installed it shouldn't flag the management light (possibly running lean now)

Linden thought there was a misfire and possibly a coil needed replacing. Can't find coils on Rimmers - available??
Standard Ford V8 Coil Packs for the Mustang (www.rockauto.com or www.realsteel.co.uk)

MINOR/CONSUMABLES
Wheels ('star' alloys) need refurb - 60each seems to be usual cost
Front pads (don't know if/when disks have been replaced
Needs front tyres
n/s/f ball joint
twisted brake hose
loose headlamp, foglamp not working, brake light out
Normal good service to sort these out

As far as I know it hasn't has the heater valve and hose upgrade or the fuel pump clip fitted.
Should be done ASAP


Should I be concerned about major items which have not been repaired or replaced but which could fail in near future due to age/mileage?? :
Exhaust
coils
a/c compressor
fan motor
shock absorbers
front disks
Not more than with any other car


and finally, does LPG need servicing regularly? Owner has no service records for the system
Yes


Excluding the tyres probably between £700 - 1000 to sort out.
That will knock the price down a bit

Not sure if LPG is a factor in purchase. But a while ago a member on here was selling a 75 V8 which was also on ebay. Silver low mileage 40000ish and all stuff done. Although it finished on eBay I am not sure if it sold, I don't think it did, will try and find who it was. That would be a great car as was really looked after.

I think the coil can make the engine light come on, but only if it is mis firing, but unlikely to be the cause if it has always been like that...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dominic22

Not sure if LPG is a factor in purchase. But a while ago a member on here was selling a 75 V8 which was also on ebay. Silver low mileage 40000ish and all stuff done. Although it finished on eBay I am not sure if it sold, I don't think it did, will try and find who it was. That would be a great car as was really looked after.

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Styles, me thinks... think he sold it in the end

There are so many things that can cause the engine management light to be on, misfire from faulty coils is a possibility but a code reader is an essential purchase with so many cylinders and can help nail down a lot of issues really quickly.

As an LPG runner I had problems with running a little lean on LPG causing the light to come on but was fixed with a little increase in gas pressure (easy to adjust but best to get professional advice on it if you're not sure).

As for replacement coils I have fitted the MSD blaster coils as they are supposed to be better for LPG but I'm not to sure if it really has made a huge difference.

My engine light was also constantly on and the fault codes pointed to a faulty o2 sensor which I have now replaced,I have been told lpg is hard on o2 sensors so hope I have now cured the problem.

MAJOR
Both rear springs broken - have been told they're Rimmer part no RKB000820 and available at 248.87/pair. I can't find them on Rimmer's website
[COLOR="blue"]Springs are different on the 75 than on the ZT. Sometimes up on ebay
Not sure the springs are different, but the dampers are, we're sourcing replacement springs through the club shop at the moment

Diff pinion oil seal needs replacing
Not really a problem, Linden can do that or Nick at Austing done a few
Agree, common fault easily rectified, Dreadnought Garage in Scotland hold the seal in stock


Engine management light is on - owner says has has been on all the time he's had car and understands it is due to LPG being fitted
Properly installed it shouldn't flag the management light (possibly running lean now)

Linden thought there was a misfire and possibly a coil needed replacing. Can't find coils on Rimmers - available??
Standard Ford V8 Coil Packs for the Mustang (www.rockauto.com or www.realsteel.co.uk)
or I have some used ones for sale in the club shop

MINOR/CONSUMABLES
Wheels ('star' alloys) need refurb - 60each seems to be usual cost
Front pads (don't know if/when disks have been replaced
Readily available and we will have a source of discounted EBC parts (more to be announced soon)
Needs front tyres
n/s/f ball joint
Again try Dreadnought or Nick at Austins can provide modified lower arms
twisted brake hose
loose headlamp, foglamp not working, brake light out
Normal good service to sort these out

As far as I know it hasn't has the heater valve and hose upgrade or the fuel pump clip fitted.
Should be done ASAP
If you go for I can supply valve and hose from the club shop, I've a spare clip in stock (personal stock)


Should I be concerned about major items which have not been repaired or replaced but which could fail in near future due to age/mileage?? :

Exhaust come up on ebay and aftermarket can be sourced
coils Standard mustang available from US and upgrades also available
a/c compressorWe have a recon service in place or new from US
fan motor
shock absorbers
front disks
Not more than with any other car


and finally, does LPG need servicing regularly? Owner has no service records for the system
Yes
I know nowt about LPG but we've a resident expert on here who, I'm sure, will be along to comment

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 3disco

I have been told lpg is hard on o2 sensors

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This is not my finding though. Sounds like 'pub talk'

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VMax1000

and finally, does LPG need servicing regularly? Owner has no service records for the system
Yes

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Don't agree. With the Romano, leave well alone. Except that the system cannot access the Ford fuel trims so it needs an occasional tweak to prevent the trim going out of range. You can do this yourself.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bernard lpg

This is not my finding though. Sounds like 'pub talk'



Don't agree. With the Romano, leave well alone. Except that the system cannot access the Ford fuel trims so it needs an occasional tweak to prevent the trim going out of range. You can do this yourself.

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How would you know the fuel trim is out, and what would be the right way to adjust?
Could this fuel-trim issue cause the management light to come on?

I agree, loads of work can be done yourself on lpg-systems, but the same goes for normal engines. Nevertheless, a periodic check by a qualified person can't do any harm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bernard lpg

This is not my finding though. Sounds like 'pub talk'



Don't agree. With the Romano, leave well alone. Except that the system cannot access the Ford fuel trims so it needs an occasional tweak to prevent the trim going out of range. You can do this yourself.

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As i thought - the resident expert has commented

Thanks to all for your replies - wealth of knowledge and personal experiences pouring forth.
As all the items needed now are readily available I can now consider making an offer.
Have been following sales/prices of ZT260's and 75 V8's for a while - think it's worth about 6k with items sorted using recent sales or 5k "as is".
Have seen posts re 2 75's sold by dealers, to club members, 1 was 4,995 and other was I think 5,200 ish - both lower mileage and needed no work but neither had LPG.
'gjt' could not sell his LPG 260SE 35,000 miles for 7,000 earlier this year. I recall he removed the LPG and sold separately
While the LPG is attractive, the annual mileage I'll be doing will be low (likely 3k max 5 weekends and occasional long trip) so saving on petrol costs will be low and not the major factor if I was using it as for my daily drive and clocking up 15 to 20k per year. I appreciate a new installation is 2k+ but the benefit has been enjoyed, and cost recovered, by the owner who has clocked up 65,000 miles using it.
Not trying to 'steal' the car but doing my best to establish market value in a very strange and confused financial world (that could open up a new thread on how the country/world ended up in this mess!!)
Thanks again for all your advice and will keep you posted on purchase.
Looking forward to becoming a full member!
Gary

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ColinE

MAJOR
Both rear springs broken - have been told they're Rimmer part no RKB000820 and available at 248.87/pair. I can't find them on Rimmer's website
Springs are different on the 75 than on the ZT. Sometimes up on ebay
Not sure the springs are different, but the dampers are, we're sourcing replacement springs through the club shop at the moment

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Strangely Rimmers lists both springs and shocks to be identical on 75 and ZT :confused::confused:

I think the springs are the same but the shocks different; MG are yellow and Rover are black and slightly softer

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VMax1000

MAJOR
Both rear springs broken - have been told they're Rimmer part no RKB000820 and available at 248.87/pair. I can't find them on Rimmer's website
Springs are different on the 75 than on the ZT. Sometimes up on ebay

Diff pinion oil seal needs replacing
Not really a problem, Linden can do that or Nick at Austing done a few

Engine management light is on - owner says has has been on all the time he's had car and understands it is due to LPG being fitted
Properly installed it shouldn't flag the management light (possibly running lean now)

Linden thought there was a misfire and possibly a coil needed replacing. Can't find coils on Rimmers - available??
Standard Ford V8 Coil Packs for the Mustang (www.rockauto.com or www.realsteel.co.uk)

MINOR/CONSUMABLES
Wheels ('star' alloys) need refurb - 60each seems to be usual cost
Front pads (don't know if/when disks have been replaced
Needs front tyres
n/s/f ball joint
twisted brake hose
loose headlamp, foglamp not working, brake light out
Normal good service to sort these out

As far as I know it hasn't has the heater valve and hose upgrade or the fuel pump clip fitted.
Should be done ASAP


Should I be concerned about major items which have not been repaired or replaced but which could fail in near future due to age/mileage?? :
Exhaust
coils
a/c compressor
fan motor
shock absorbers
front disks
Not more than with any other car


and finally, does LPG need servicing regularly? Owner has no service records for the system
Yes


Excluding the tyres probably between £700 - 1000 to sort out.
That will knock the price down a bit

---

exactly,
itold the owner of this car that it would cost around £1000 to put right,
depending on results of diagnostic scan,i was too busy that day to hook the car up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LINDEN CAHILL

exactly,
itold the owner of this car that it would cost around £1000 to put right,
depending on results of diagnostic scan,i was too busy that day to hook the car up.

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You haven't got a vacancy by any chance, in case I want a career change :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VMax1000

You haven't got a vacancy by any chance, in case I want a career change :D

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its not always as good as people reckon working in the motor trade,even harder when self employed

Apart from the hassle and the long hours, it's great!!! Guess the problem is....no one told us this when we were sixteen?