Pre-sale notice

[MOTORHEAD]

Hello fellow Cobra addicts;
I'm "fixin' to get ready" to sell my Kirkham 427s/c, but first I must address an oil leak which require removal of engine and tranny, and I was thinking that would be a good time for a buyer to make any changes (like switching to a 5 speed) rather than wait until they get it home and have to tear into it again.
I would wait until buyer could see & drive the car before I removed eng/trans to do my work, and what, if anything, the buyer might want to change.
Since almost everyone here has bought a Cobra at some time in the past, I thought I'd run the idea past you all to get your take on this.
popcorn's in the micro,

Ted

[cycleguy55]

Presumably you have a Ford Toploader transmission. That's something many seek, so my inclination would be to fix whatever leak(s) you have and put it back together. Anyone looking to buy can then make their own decision.

[twobjshelbys]

Good strategy

[1795]

I think that it opens up options. Not sure how a potential buyer might approach that scenario regarding any discount on the price if they have to pay for a new transmission or other changes. Only one way to tell.....

[1985 CCX]

4spd toploader for sure!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by MOTORHEAD

... but first I must address an oil leak which require removal of engine and tranny

That's quite the leak. Rear main seal?

[MOTORHEAD]

The 5 speed would enhance the Hiway driving, running along at 60-80 mph @ 3500/4000 rpm with bad sidepipes is painfull ! The 4 speed is fine for track and anything else.

Patrick, yes, the main suspect is rear main seal, but florescent oil dye shows some other areas.

Don't know if my plan is compatable with "Bring a trailer"s format. quite a bit of Cobra action there as of late, bare alum csx 4000 went for $205 K last week.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by MOTORHEAD

Patrick, yes, the main suspect is rear main seal, but florescent oil dye shows some other areas.

If you take her for an hour long drive, then immediately park her in the garage, what is the size of the puddle that is under the car the next day?

[1795]

Originally Posted by MOTORHEAD

The 5 speed would enhance the Hiway driving, running along at 60-80 mph @ 3500/4000 rpm with bad sidepipes is painfull ! The 4 speed is fine for track and anything else.

Patrick, yes, the main suspect is rear main seal, but florescent oil dye shows some other areas.

Don't know if my plan is compatable with "Bring a trailer"s format. quite a bit of Cobra action there as of late, bare alum csx 4000 went for $205 K last week.

I wonder to what extent someone would be willing to settle on a price, given that the oil leak repair would not be done until after they had seen the car and had decided on any modifications they would like to do. I, personally, would be hesitant and would want to see the car run and have proof that the repair worked before laying cash down. However, that would defeat the purpose of having the opportunity to change things before the car was put back together. You certainly do not want to invest in a different transmission that a buyer might want and then have them back out of the deal because they were not satisfied with the repair. While the concept has merit, it might not be worth the potential problems it might raise. Food for thought.

[xb-60]

I would be fixing the problem(s) and then presenting the car for sale as a car with no issues. Stick with the Toploader, too.

Cheers, and good luck with the sale!
Glen

[RUFdriver]

I would just fix the leak and/ or sell it as is. You don’t want to get involved in some convoluted sale with someone unknown to you. If they want a 5 speed, they can deal with it.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by patrickt

If you take her for an hour long drive, then immediately park her in the garage, what is the size of the puddle that is under the car the next day?

I write this because some oil leaks are more tolerable than others, and some buyers will tolerate a leak better than others will. And, all FEs leak, whether it be a drop every few weeks, or a six inch puddle under the car after every drive. You just want the buyer to have a clear understanding of exactly what he's getting.

[MOTORHEAD]

Patrick: It actually doesn't drip on the floor (no oil pressure sitting without eng running)
It leak while running and blows back as you drive, making an oily film on chassis.
I need to make this car the best it can be because it has a couple of negatives to overcome, those being a damage history ( engine fire when new) and "rebuilt" title.

[vntgspd]

If you are going the BAT route, fix any known issues and then be available and transparent in the comment section during the auction. This increases buyer comfort level and will lead to more potential buyers which is always good in an auction! IMO your original approach won't work for BAT.

I like your original approach for a private party sale though. I saved about $8k on my ERA that had minor issues and lots of deferred maintenance. I did the work myself over time and am happy with the process. If I was in the market for your car, I would propose the same...how much for the car as is and I will do the work/upgrades as I see fit. But, as I said, this won't work for BAT.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by patrickt

And, all FEs leak, whether it be a drop every few weeks, or a six inch puddle under the car after every drive.

The old saying:

Q: How do you know when a side oiler is out of oil?

A: It stops leaking.

[MOTORHEAD]

tONY : a bit of plagerism from the old aviation days. Same was said about the P&W R985's
in the old Beech 18's.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by MOTORHEAD

tONY : a bit of plagerism from the old aviation days. Same was said about the P&W R985's
in the old Beech 18's.

And Ford tractors.

[patrickt]

.

[MOTORHEAD]

Nothing says "OILY" like a round engine!

[TimG427]

I've had both Toploader and Tremec, I like the Toploader.