So I sold my bmw and came across this little gem, got a little excited and decided maybe I should just ditch the makeup and go full flannel and buzzcut. Is anyone with more advanced mechanical skills available to take a road trip and check this out with me this week, preferably Tuesday afternoon/evening? Not at all concerned about the body but the bad rebuild comment is concerning and I would really appreciate some assistance in making a decision. You will be generously compensated in highway singalongs, mildly stimulating conversation, and dinner. https://rmn.craigslist.org/cto/6185708655.html
I wonder what the "rebuild" entailed and what makes him think it was "done poorly". Dudeman should make an account here and tell us all about it.
He's an older guy, said it sounded like the pistons were knocking, then went away when he started using heavier oil then comes and goes every so often. He drives from eagan to Rochester for work twice a week. Said he had it rebuilt with an own kit by a local little shop in Rochester that warrantied it for 6 months but it's been a year.
Yerp, that's about where I'm at. Checking out a couple local outback tonight and still going to go at least check it out tomorrow. Literally everything else has been done from suspension to electrical, he's had it since 05' and seemed like a pretty genuine old dude.
long block plus intake manifold, headers, accessories, etc. it'll need a few hoses, an up-pipe and the turbo/intercooler, otherwise you can probably throw NA headers and a different manifold. I'm looking for 1500 bottom dollar, it was running fantastically up until I hit the wall at the track (side/front impact, engine wasn't touched).
I will definitely keep that in mind it's a ej251 with automatic currently. If I did the swap might as well go manual as well. Going to try to hook up with Lee to check it over with me and I'll let ya know.
can't imagine there are more than a handful of Armenian import shops exclusively in the Rochester area. Just waiting on him to text me back with the name of the shop lol. Seemed like a pretty interesting guy that owns it, he's retired has a bee farm and has been using the baja for hunting purposes the past couple years, told me a god awful long story about how he hauled a bear home in the bed of it lol.
Newp, I guess its not a full shop so much as a guy that runs a shop on his property, no name. Im down here test driving it now and it's really odd how intermittently you can hear the knock. Brought it up to oreilly to check codes and all it's pulling are o2 sensors. The body is a little rougher than expected but goes down the road pretty damn nice for a 254k mile truck
Yeah, I'm pretty familiar with the guy. He uses Baiers Engine service for all shortblock related work, and does heads and such on his own. He always has a CL ad up selling refurbished engines. I have never seen his work personally, but Baiers seems to do good work.
That's good to know, kinda shocked there were no oil leaks I could see. He had receipts for EVERYTHING and there was alot done between the rear diff, new transmission, rack and pinion, suspension, etc in the last year. It drove really nice, aside from needing an alignment, and the knock would come and go. Took a video but not sure how to upload it.
I'm not sure what his "shop" name is, but I know is first name is Vladimir. He picked up spun bearing ej205 shortblock and some other random parts from me several years back. Not familiar with is quality of work though.
Did some more researching and thinking and decided it's more project than I'm looking to take on right now and will find one in better shape with less questionable repairs in the future. Thanks for all the help!!!
