Old Marine
New Member
- Joined
- January 18, 2015
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Swamps of NC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1996 Explorer Sport
I bought a nice shiny 96 Sport showing 77K miles on the odometer for $650. Figured the odometer gear was broken (it was). Bought a CarFax Report, and it appears to have broken two years ago. The owner was dying of cancer, and didn't drive it much. The engine and under hood area looks like new. No oil, grease or dirt. Unfortunately, the previous owner didn't put anti-freeze in it, and the day after I bought it (trans won't shift in any gear due to overfill blown out seals so I bought a rebuilt 4R55E valvebody), the temp here hit 16 F. Blew out two freeze plugs (yes, I know they are core plugs). Finally got to inspect it today, and I can reach both blown plugs through the wheel wells. Can't see any cracks. I replaced the odometer gear, the door handles, and a broken plastic thingee. The only thing that doesn't work now is the rear window window wiper (washer works).
The freeze blew out the plastic POS radiator ($40 at Pick and Pull). If the block has no more damage, and the new valve body solves my trans problem, I got a nice low-mileage Sport with a new set of Wrangler tires for less than $1K. Funny part is, according to CarFax, it was originally sold in Rockport Texas, right down the street from my wife's home. I live in NC.
jt
The freeze blew out the plastic POS radiator ($40 at Pick and Pull). If the block has no more damage, and the new valve body solves my trans problem, I got a nice low-mileage Sport with a new set of Wrangler tires for less than $1K. Funny part is, according to CarFax, it was originally sold in Rockport Texas, right down the street from my wife's home. I live in NC.
jt
