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Re: FOUND '53MGTD!

To: hearts@radiks.net
Subject: Re: FOUND '53MGTD!
From: Bob Howard <mgbob@juno.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2000 09:46:49 -0400
Dave,
  It's really hard to give an accurate answer to the value after it's
done and as to the value now.  For the former, you must apply a
geographic allowance-cars on the coasts are worth more. Keep asking for
values, as they are really all over the map for TDs.  Figure $14-16M on
the East Coast for a really good car. Simply put, the TDs are not worth
as much in $$$ as they are in the sheer joy of driving them.
  Price now, as the car is described?     TD's don't have pressurised
cooling systems. IT takes a while to lose a lot of coolant. Do you have
any reason to think that the engine ran hot for a long time? Do you have
reason to think that other maintenance items might have been neglected?
Maybe the oil in the gearbox and back axle were never changed, adn the
500 mile lubrication schedule for the front suspension was ignored?
   I did a rebuild on my TD engine in spring 98. Moss had every single
part I needed in stock, so parts availbility was no problem whatsoever.
That's really impressive!  Cost for parts was about $4m. The crank was
cracked, and that was a great part of the total cost.  Though it rang
like a bell, magnaflux revealed a crack.  TD engines wear more than
modern engines, so figure on replacing everything that moves except the
con rods if they pass magnaflux,  and for those you need new bolts.  New
clutch.  When you get into the project, though, you find that you keep
adding projects. You may find that the rocker bushings and the rocker
shaft are worn. Surprisingly, mine were not, but those are wear areas to
check.  The distributor may be due for new bushings--there are
lubrication requirements for it that are often forgotten.
  And, while you are at it, you might as well replace all the clevis pins
in the clutch mechanism, so you need to have all the holes closed and
milled to fit the new pins. You can swap the pivot pin from one side of
the sump to the other, while the sump is off the engine, and replace the
bushing in the clutch pivoting lever there at that time. Then, since the
engine is out, you will want to send dynamo and starter out to be
checked. And, while you are at it, you will want to check oil pump, as
it's a bear to get at when the engine is in place.  Engine and
transmission mounts are easily replaced with engine out. Trans mounts can
be done with engine in place, but Do It Now. 
  I did all my own labor except for the machine shop work, boiling the
block and radiator, then boring, line honing, balancing, etc.  How much
of this engine work are you prepared to do and how much would you find it
necessary to send out?  My suggestion is that you ask some of the
professionals for their estimates of engine rebuilding costs before you
get too deep, whatever that amount may be.
  On the other hand, when you come right down to it, even if you have
$16M in a car that's "worth" only $11 or $12M, so what?   There is a
tremendous satisfaction factor in working on these cars, and the
enjoyment of ownership and use is immense.  Coming down to cold $$s, what
if you spend $4M more than it's "worth" and you enjoy the car for five
years.....that's a "loss" of $800 per year for many hours of pleasure.
Can you go to the movies for that?  Find a horse or a dog that is
cost-effective....if you ever do, let me know, yet we all have them
around. 
Bob

On Thu, 06 Apr 2000 21:21:59 -0500 Dave <hearts@radiks.net> writes:
> I have the chance to buy a '53TD found in a storage garage in a small
> town in Iowa.  The body is in very good condition.   Color light 
> yellow.
> Chrome very good.  Interior is good.  Even top looks very good.
> Transmission and engine are out of the car.  Owner says the 
> transmission
> is good.  Motor ran hot due to cooland leak and need to assume a
> complete rebuild is in order.  All parts are with the car according 
> to
> the owner.  I did not pull it out of the garage for a sunlight
> inspection but looks pretty good overall.
> 
> Question is what is it worth in this condition?  What is it worth 
> after
> restoration?
> 
> Thanks all!
> 
> Dave
> 
> 
> 

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