24 Hours of Lemons 2009

[Mugami]

and yeah im still looking at racingjunk
http://www.racingjunk.com/post/1333601/1985-Chevy-Chevette-2dr-project-race-car.html

[danielg]

I can't make the meeting, I have to pick up someone from the airport at 8 PM. 

We should also look in a 2 hour radius, not just Richmond.  I'm sure someone can tow the car home.  I don't have the equipment to tow, but I'm willing to drive to get it.  Baltimore, DC, NoVA, Raleigh, VA Beach, Charlottesville.

[Conemasher]

I'll call about the Sentra tomorrow if I have time. It also uses 4x100 wheels. If we find cars that both use the same size wheels we can use spares for both. Plus this is a cheap and readily available size.

I second the 4 cylinder car idea. less gas, lighter, less tire wear, usually handle better for less money.

[danielg]

I have a set of stock 4x100 16" x-lites (not s-lites) from the MINI with some old Kumho V710s that can be donated to the cause.

[danielg]

Until I'm told to stop, I'll just spam this thread with some CL postings.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/926434991.html
190E MERCEDES BENZ - $450 (STERLING)
doesn't say if its an auto or not

http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/926462196.html
ford festiva - $650 (stony creek)

[jloehlein]

A little far, but this looks good: http://www.racingjunk.com/post/1338426/Race-ready-plymouth-laser.html

I think we are leaning towards the Sentra or Tony's car right now.

[jloehlein]

Hmm, well I talked to the guy with the Sentra just now.  Apparently, it ran great and he was able to drive it all around the yard...until he cut the cat out for scrap and now it doesn't want to start.  Personally, I think that we should take a look at it, compression test the motor and see if we can get it started (he said he didn't try very hard).  The worst that happens is we walk away...the best is that we get it for super cheap.  Anyways, let me know if anyone wants to go look at it let me know.  We could meet up somewhere around lunch time and head over there.

[wahoo5]

Maybe he also cut out the O2 sensor. Would that keep it from starting? I live in Short Pump. Anywhere between here and Charles City works for me. How about Buz and Ned's on the Boulevard? They open at noon on Sunday. <http://www.buzandneds.com/>

[jloehlein]

Maybe he also cut out the O2 sensor. Would that keep it from starting? I live in Short Pump. Anywhere between here and Charles City works for me. How about Buz and Ned's on the Boulevard? They open at noon on Sunday. <http://www.buzandneds.com/>

Buz and Ned's at noon sounds good to me.  He may have cut out the O2 sensor, but that shouldn't keep the car from starting.  It certainly wouldn't run well without one, but it should start.  We can take a look at it while we are there.

[ahamos]

I probably can't come out to meet you guys, but if you want to swing by, the comp checker is all yours.  If I can find it...

[jloehlein]

I probably can't come out to meet you guys, but if you want to swing by, the comp checker is all yours.  If I can find it...

Thanks, Adrian.  I'll probably just get another one since they are only like $20 and I'll need one sooner or later.

[Conemasher]

Maybe he also cut out the O2 sensor. Would that keep it from starting? I live in Short Pump. Anywhere between here and Charles City works for me. How about Buz and Ned's on the Boulevard? They open at noon on Sunday. <http://www.buzandneds.com/>

Buz and Ned's at noon sounds good to me.  He may have cut out the O2 sensor, but that shouldn't keep the car from starting.  It certainly wouldn't run well without one, but it should start.  We can take a look at it while we are there.

I'll meet you guys there as well.

[jloehlein]

Eh, we went and looked at the Sentra and sure enough, it wouldn't start.  Compression was even (for a 15 year old car), but the motor wasn't getting any fuel.  I think the fuel pump was dead, it didn't feel like it was pumping anything through the lines and you couldn't hear it turn on.  The car did run well on starting fluid though.  Besides that, the front bearings were shot.  Even if we got the car for free, I think Tony's Jetta would be the better way to go.  We know it runs and drives and can take its fair share of abuse

[Mugami]

That and i just had the front bearing replaced. .. ill be ording a new rad for it next week.

[jloehlein]

That and i just had the front bearing replaced. .. ill be ording a new rad for it next week.

Hey Tony, check your messages, I should have sent you one.  Thanks.

[Conemasher]

These look nice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories___NEW-Dropzone-lowering-springs-85-98-VW-Golf-Jetta_W0QQitemZ120312224730QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQddiZ2811QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item120312224730&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A543%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/85-98-VW-GOLF-GTI-JETTA-1-8L-2-0L-8V-HEADER-86-87-92-93_W0QQitemZ200280008124QQihZ010QQcategoryZ33631QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[getfast]

I'd suggest we start hunting for a cage-builder NOW.  This is the time of year to get one built, and the good ones tend to be very busy.

Adrenaline Autoworks on Hull St. is doing cages for $100 a point.

http://www.adrenalineautoworks.com/pages.php?pid=2

No affiliation, and I haven't yet seen any of their cage work, but it's certainly worth looking into.

Hope it helps,

Jon
ps- I may know where a 5-speed '86ish 325e can be had for like $400.  It's ugly, the interior is trashed, and it needs a windshield, but it runs and drives just fine.  PERFECT for Lemons. 

[Conemasher]

How about a 5 spd Taurus SHO?

http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/942329569.html

[Conemasher]

Or a '95 Crown Vic Cop car!

http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/945167865.html

[wahoo5]

Interesting. Justin knows how to work on 'em. No little Honda is going to push you off in a corner.

David

[jloehlein]

Hey guys,

I think Tony's Jetta is probably still the way to go.  If you guys agree I can get an axle for it and we can meet up and replace it next weekend or Dec 22nd/23rd.  We could go over the rest of the car at the same time.

Tony, I am assuming it is still at your house with a broken CV?  Do you have a garage?  What year and model is the car?

-Justin

[Mugami]

yep going shopping today for the axle.. going to check at pepboys its where i bought it for only 50.00 last time. and yeah it was the same axle. that was broke 3 years ago.

its a 1987 jetta Mk II   GL.  with an 8valve motor. 1.8  with vin number 1vwga0165hv017466 

If that helps with the looking for parts. Oh and btw I allready have lowering springs for the car.
Also have a Garage .. messy but workable

[Conemasher]

I'm cool with the Jetta. I thought of a cool team name today. jettaBlues.....done in jetBlue airlines motif!

[ahamos]

Sounds good to me, too.

[jloehlein]

yep going shopping today for the axle.. going to check at pepboys its where i bought it for only 50.00 last time. and yeah it was the same axle. that was broke 3 years ago.

its a 1987 jetta Mk II   GL.  with an 8valve motor. 1.8  with vin number 1vwga0165hv017466 

If that helps with the looking for parts. Oh and btw I allready have lowering springs for the car.
Also have a Garage .. messy but workable

Hey Tony, thanks for the info.  Maybe we should carry a spare set of axles with us if the one that broke was replaced a few years ago.  The only real thing that worries me about the Jetta is the cooling issue.  I was reading and it looks like we can mount a 2 row aluminum radiator from a diesel Jetta ($99 from Advance Auto) which should help immensely.  That and a new thermostat should be able to keep the thing cool.  If we all agree on the car, I think we should get together next weekend and make sure it has good compression before going any further.  Assuming it does we can replace the axle and start going through everything else.  I have a list of stuff to do that should keep us busy for a while