1987 d21 fair market value

[mattmctree@gmail.com]

Hello.

 

There is a 87 4x4 d21 that is very clean I have a line on. The engine has been removed as the owner has blown a few head gaskets and lost interest. ( My guess is improper torque check interval as it's a 2.4 but I could be wrong. The engine is pulled .

What would a fair price be on it? The 8000 he is asking seems a bit high even though it has quite a bit of new parts and is in good shape. Also, I've read about copper head gaskets and was wondering if they are a better route to go on the 2.4 ? If anyone has any experience. Please let me know.

 

Thanks 

[datzenmike]

Likely cause of recurring head gasket failures is the head is warped from over heating. Probably just need to be planed flat at a machine shop. Next likely is owner ignorance of how to do it.

 

$8k is exceedingly high for a non running almost 40 year old truck that you can't drive to evaluate the suspension, electrical, brakes, engine, and drive train. New, they ranged from under $6k to about double with V6 and options. Some sellers have trouble parting with their vehicles and set a price so high it never sells. To me it's worth somewhere between it's weight in scrap, and the sum of it's useful parts. To others it's a matter of risk management  

[mattmctree@gmail.com]

Thanks Mike . My thoughts exactly. I just wanted a second opinion

[Stinky]

I think that he has an extra zero in there.  I don't care how clean it is.   This pretty much lines up w/what Mike said.  It MIGHT need a new head (not likely though IMHO). 

 

Depending on how much it is warped, if it is, there is a thought out there that the camshaft part of the head is warped too and that it would be clamped in a Jig and heated up and pulled back in to place or else the cam can snap..  I'm not sure that I believe that/this theory.

 

Running, IMHO, it is worth half that.

 

I just did a quick search, for a Nissan under $8K in my area.....I found one from $1,500 that won't pass smog and these 2.  There are also a few others that are below $8K.

 

https://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/d/denver-2012-nissan-frontier-4wd-crew/7937574515.html

 

https://westslope.craigslist.org/cto/d/glenwood-springs-nissan-frontier-2003/7934196606.html

[Stinky]

OHHHH, you did notice that, that PU does not have a front differential, front axles, drive-shaft and about 3 cross-members pulled out of it.  It is a PITA to R&R that motor because all that stuff has to come out.  You can get the motor out w/o doing that (I have one, but I wasn't there when it was done, but you aren't getting it back in w/all that stuff in there.  

 

The pan won't clear the axles and/or differential otherwise.

[datzenmike]

To be clear the Z24 does have a problem with blowing the head gasket at roughly 100k mike intervals and the preventative is re-torquing the head bolts once a year. This maintains consistent clamping pressure on the gasket. This is not normally caused by a warped head.

 

Recurring head gasket failures IS likely a warped head which is easily fixed by a machine shop and a new gasket.

 

 

[mtngoat]

With no engine, under a grand with the top end met only if it's straight and clean as hell. As others noted, you can't even drive it and ignore a funky engine while assessing the condition of the rest of the drive train. 

Edited July 8 by mtngoat