Had a Look at a BJ60 today, wants some opinions...

[KKell]

SO I hasd a look at a 1984 BJ60 today, guy wants 2500 for it, here's the run down.

430xxx km

the GOOD

turned over right away
Shifted tight, couldn't get the transmission to pop out in 5th
from 1st to 4th the compression is, 415, 400, 420, 420
electric fan
interior is decent
no holes or rust in floor or doors, paints good
newer brake master and clutch master cylinders

The BAD

Oil on the glow plugs???
rusted out frame behind the rear doors
classic rear wheel well rust,
needs new suspension
possibly needs new frame?
oil alll over transmission and rear of oil pan.(although i think they all look that? its been a while)

Just wanna know what you guys think its worth, or if you think its worth picking up at all? the oil on the glowplugs concerns me as it was clearly golden oil, not burnt up fuel gunk. I would consider turboing it as a permanent roadtrip/camper star if its worthy.

 

[gerg]

I'd say it's definately a fair price. It's no steal, but a tight 5spd and good compression engine are worth more than saving 500$ here or there. It's also a bonus if it's not completely full of mold from sitting. If you pass on it let me know cus I'm casually looking for one.
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As far as the glow plug oil. I'm not sure. Unburnt oil on a glow plug I would guess did not come from the combustion chamber. Was it on all 4 plugs?

 

[cruisedeisel]

3b 5 speed. Thats worth at least 1500. Is the rest of the truck worth 1000? I would say yes. Take the hard top off and you see the real truth behind all those hidden seems.

 

[cruisedeisel]

fold the window down to check the seem between firewall and window. usually some good rot there.

 

[KKell]

Yeah it surprised me. It definately was fairly clean looking oil, on all 4 plugs. Weird eh?

 

[Freewheel]

Truly weird, since the only time i've ever seen golden oil in my engine was the first 15 minutes after a complete top to bottom rebuild... It's always black. I assume a B engine would be as sooty as the 2H...

 

[KKell]

Take the hardtop off a 60 series? k...

As far as the oil yeah the glow plugs were practically dripping on the three cylinders closest to the grill.
Iwas thinking maybe oil got past the seals while it was sitting for the last 6 months? Not sure can't remember all the quirks ive learned about these....

 

[gerg]

Hmm. No seals directly around a glow plug. Only thing I can think of is that he squirted oil into the cylinder to prep it for a long sit or perhaps squirted oil in there so it started right away for you to test it. Either way I'm guessing oil was put there. Golden clean oil pretty much instantly transforms into black tar in most 3bs I've owned. It did not come from the circulating system.

 

[KKell]

Yeah he played kinda dumb about it but that makes sense. Plugs looked like they hadnt been touched in a long time though. Weird. Ill let you know if i pick it up or not.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Yeah he played kinda dumb about it but that makes sense. Plugs looked like they hadnt been touched in a long time though. Weird. Ill let you know if i pick it up or not.

He might have put oil in there to give it better compression readings. If the rings are a bit worn, oil would have brought the readings up substantially. I'd be wary of it. But that price is about what they go for.

 

[rick_d]

i would pass.
430,000 klms, (266,000 miles), don't kid yourself a rotten frame and not much else. That steering system has 430k, the rear diff, 430k. Obvious the previous owners did not have immaculate upkeep on anything.

I also wish people would stop speculating on the value of a used 3B H55 --especially one with 430,000 klms. Do you all know parts costs to overhaul a transmission and tools (or labor)? Do you guys know what a 1st gear synchronizer ring is and how much they cost ? (33306-60010). A main shaft? (33321-60070), a bearing kit? a fifth gear? The std synchro rings? Used H55's should be no more than a core/$500 cost unless it has a service history or comes from a low mileage donor -which this 60 is not.

 

[OGBeno]

 

[cruisedeisel]

whoops! I thought we're talking about a 40 series. My mind was in the gutter.