Questions from someone with no clue

[makefast]

Hmm...I tried to post yesterday, but it doesn't seem it made it through.

Here is an album of the photos he has sent me. And here is a link to the CL ad.

[scoutjones]

I would also be prepared to educate your diesel mechanic if he's not familiar with the sd33t.

I had a compression test done on mine before I bought it. I wasn't there (it was also a long distance purchase in Georgia!) but he said the numbers were great. Some people on here asked if the test was done after it was warmed up because that's when the cracks open, if they're there. I'm not sure how he performed the test but I really wanted it so I bought it. It smoked badly. Pistons were cracked. I spoke to another mechanic before I tore into it and he was very optimistic about the engine. Almost like it was this legendary piece of engineering that came down from above and could never stop running. (That's two optimistic mechanics, so far.) Luckily, I caught it before serious damage was done. I just replaced the pistons, had injectors rebuilt, new turbo and on and on.

I don't regret buying mine. I love it. But if I bought another one I would plan on spending thousands just to get it into shape - and be delightfully surprised if it didn't need it.

[watermunky]

Originally Posted by scoutjones

I don't regret buying mine. I love it. But if I bought another one I would plan on spending thousands just to get it into shape - and be delightfully surprised if it didn't need it.

Ditto

[makefast]

Well I have tried to post a link to pics a couple of times, but it says the post has to be approved by a moderator - probably to discourage spam. I am uploading some of them to my album now.

It sounds like I need to find a diesel mechanic who knows a little about the SD33 (ideally) to look it over if/when we head up there.

Bah, too many places to upload pictures - I ended up putting them here.

[makefast]

Well, as is typical for our lives - we may be moving to Wyoming soon. Now I have to decide:

1) if the Scout is worth it + shipping amounts from here to WY.

2) if it will be workable as a DD in a situation where I may be putting some WY interstate miles on it (tending toward higher speeds).

So much to decide - probably going to try to at least look at it this weekend if I can find the time.

[Ristin]

Those pics bring back memories of my 1980 diesel Scout. Unless the floor under the vinyl has been checked and appropriate anti rust measures performed, I can pretty much guarantee there will be rust. Hopefully not to bad though as the truck looks pretty clean. In 1986 I bought a 1980 Scout diesel with 36k miles for $3500. It was clean in and out. When I pulled up the carpet to run some speaker wires, the sound deadening material was wet and the floor all ready starting to rust and this was during the heat of summer, months after any rain.
Back then I loved my diesel Scout. I put 100k miles on it. The biggest issues I had were radiator leaks and finding parts when the Hitachi alternator shorted and burned up. They were about $800 back then and not easy to find. (least not for a teenager with limited funds)

[Jim]

Just keep in mind that the truck is over 30 years old, they are rattly and dirty. Its probably going to have problems no matter what. I think the $5000 is not ridiculously high, but given the age and lack of restoration, personally I would put the value closer to 4K. But its hard to place a value on something I have not seen, so who knows.

Here is another data point:

1980 Scout Traveler, 69K miles purchased in 2000. The mileage was easy to verify as I am the 3rd owner and I met up with the first owner by coincidence and they were able to give me the history.

It had just a little rust along the driver rocker. It had a wide ratio tranny with 3.73 gears. Very good condition, very clean, new injector nozzles. We paid $4500. I now think we over paid by about 500 to 1500. However, after 12 years of dependable kick- *** service who really cares!

One month later it ended up needing a clutch so at the same time put in a close ratio tranny. Needed an alternator rebuild a few months later. However, since then we have gotten 12 years of daily driving with only minor repairs (bearings, radiator, battery ...). In 2006 I stripped it down, did body work and painted inside and out. It now has 126K miles and is going strong. It has factory AC, but doesnt work that great, but we dont need it here in the mountains. I would be surprised if the AC in the one you are purchasing will be very good for eastern heat and humidity, but who knows.