Questions about 88 GL pending purchase

[Leebo]

Ok so heres the deal. Im in the search for a dual range GL and ive found two that have motor issues. The first is an 88 GL which would need a motor. The guy is asking 200 and the body looks to be in pretty good shape. I dont have the money/or patience for wiring for an EJ swap so I would probably just end up putting in an EA82. Does this seem worth the time/$ and how much would a decent ea82 cost me? My next option is an 87 GL for $500 that needs to have one of the heads replaced on the motor, which the guy says he has and is included with the price. I want to know what a somewhat broke subee guru would do. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Lee

Bozeman, MT

[man on the moon]

You don't need to replace the head most likely, just pull it off, have it milled, replace the valves, and put it back on with a new gasket.

 

Milling is $20-40 at a shop, up to $150 if you have it rebuilt. They will comment about the 'crack' between the valves, but that is normal for the EA82 heads and doesn't affect performance.

 

Head gaskets are about $35/pair, you will also need an intake and exhaust manifold gasket. Probably a good idea to do the valve cover gasket and rubber washers, too. The cam tower needs silicone goop, no gasket. If you replace the cam O-ring add a few more bucks. So...minimum...$100 for the head? Or so? No more than $200.

 

If you go with a full gasket kit, the kit is around $200 or so.

 

If you have a junkyard with an EA82 car in it, ask what the price is to come pull a motor out. The ones around here are $100-200 for pull it yourself, and if you do the reseal and milling...$500 maybe for the 'new' motor?

[tractor pole]

I would go for the one with the cleaner body and interior. you will probably be in both of them for the same amount of work an my guess is really close on the dollar amount. depending on actual engine condition.

 

I bought a running ea82 complete ready to blot in for $100 from a board member that had just completed an ej swap. spent about $200 for parts to reseal it.

 

Ben