Thinking about buying a car with a BHG.

[MkIIIDK]

Alright, Bascially I'm asking if when using a new OEM replacement gasket, Is it absolutely necessary to get the head decked? I'm on a limited budget and i would be able to spend between $200 and $400 to get the car to a drivable state (assuming i pay full asking price for the car). This would include my own wrenching.

Also, its a 7mgte engine, head has been off block for about a month, should i stay away? How can i tell how much rust is too much rust in a cylinder? I'm aware the car has some flash rust but i don't know how honest the owner is because i haven't actually looked at it yet. I intend to go on tuesday.

 

[IndigoMKII]

When it comes to how bad can everything be, assume the worst possible cases. Make yourself a check list of what you need to go over before you buy the car.

Check for things like head warped? If so how bad, is it in repairable spec?
Check how bad the rust in the cylinders are, if any.
Ask how long the car was run with a bad HG. This could tell you if you'll need to pull the bottom end and check it. Second thought I'd pull the pan off anyways.

These are just some ideas that I'd try to figure out.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Don't buy it if you only have $400 to spend fixing it. For a proper bhg fix, plan on a minimum of $1000 in repairs.

Getting a non running Mk3 with that low a budget is asking for a sad ending.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

 

[MkIIIDK]

cool, thanks, I'll stay away.

 

[nofx230]

yeah i got a similar headache but only when i bought my car it was running and quite well but the previous owner said he had done mhg and arp head studs! well being i didn't do the work i said fuck it and started tearing the head back off, well about 80% of the bolts except the head studs were loose!!!! spark plug well was filled with oil too!!! valve covers were barley tightened down!!! he had put all new gaskets in it but looked to be a RUSHED job. head is not off yet but it in fact does have arp head studs and looks like a mhg but my main concern is if there was even machine work done to the block and head. so aside from the loose bolts and 20 year old vacuum hoses and what not car is solid no dents or dings in body,paint is mint,no rust at all clean title, interior is great and its only got 110k on the car just gotta sort out all this stupid half ass work