Advice on buying an old Wagoneer w/401

[esdave]

I've found an old Wagoneer that was donated to a church because the previous owner was tired of pouring money into it. It has had a lot of upgrades over the years.

It has two main issues - it needs a starter ring (one previous owner put on an incorrect starter). It also has a major timing issue which may be a combination of mechanical and electrical. The previous owner also complained that the jeep burned through batteries fairly regularly. It's currently not running.

I'm just comtemplating purchasing the jeep - I can pick it up really cheap, but I'm fearful that it could turn into a money pit and I'd like a jeep that I can bring to life and then depend on it when I take my kids up in the snow to play around for a day so it can get us home. I'm not sure this is the jeep for me, but it has a ton of performance upgrades. The 401 is a beast.

the jeep - 401 w/cam, four-barrel carb, the drive-train is perfect, it's lifted, new cooling system w/hoses & radiator, new exhaust, and new gears so it can cruise on the highway. The previous owner took out the carpet and rhino-lined the floor.

Any advice is greatly apprecited!
Dave

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Post some pics when your post count allows it.

Sounds like a beast, how cheap is cheap?

 

[esdave]

Cheap as in $650 cheap. I'll post a few pics when I can!

 

[welshdancer]

I had a Cherokee "Chief" with the 401 in it. It was indeed a beast. Just had massive amounts of power. However, when you cracked the throttle it was like flushing a toilet. That big ol' Holley fairly poured the gasoline into it. The good news was that the gas mileage never got worse than 8 MPG. The bad news was that the gas mileage never got better than 8 MPG either. It was sure a kick though.

Good luck,

Mike

 

[esdave]

I guess one of my biggest concerns would be the continual money pit. I'm not exactly proficient and continual projects would eat at me. I can afford the thing now, but I'd like to have a rig that I could depend on to take the kids in the snow or the hills; and then get back home.

 

[esdave]

I'm also inclined to possibly purchase a wagoneer that is currently a daily driver, for more $, which may actually work out better financially in the future - big decisions! ha!

 

[esdave]

Here's a pic:

 

[SteelHeadz]

Here's a pic:

Try again.

 

[Carleysjeep]

For about twice that price you probably can buy a wagoneer that is running. I boght one for $1300 in December. They are on ebay all day long for between $1200-2000. Let me say this , I bought mine and LOVE IT! It had a transfer shifter that was rigged and I just got that fixed. That was the only issue with my jeep. Like I said I love mine and I recommend one to wheel with the kids. if you don't buy the one from the chuch look around and find another one but BUY ONE!

 

[XxXL]

Im kinda in the same boat... im looking at a 76 Wagoneer that isnt running. If i had the cash right now ive no doubt i would be there buying it. Wether or not it would be a money pit would be up to you i would think. Jeeps seem to be just like Harleys... theres always something you wanna do to it.