[JetTech1]

Hi guys, I've done a bit of searching but haven't come up with anything specific.

I recently acquired a 92' sts for the low low price of free from my brother, now i was wondering if this thing would be worth fixing up, it has about 224,000mi on it but it is still in great condition outside of the fact that he totalled it out. He hit two deer(on seperate occasions) one of which ruined the hood and the other which damaged the pass. fender and headlight.

I have the know how and experience to replace the fender, hood, and headlight. I also have a bit of paint experience so repainting myself won't be a problem especially since the only areas that need a repaint will be the hood and fender.

I really like this car and was hoping with a couple visits to a j-yard or two could get this thing back into good condition.

My main question is how long do you guys think this thing will last it's been maintained well and will continue to be for the rest of it's life.

I'll post pics asap.

 

[Edahall]

If you're looking for cheap transportation, it might be a good car to fix up. The 4.9 engines in these cars are reliable and can go for a long time if it was maintained. However, the biggest weak link is the transmission but it probably has already been rebuilt.

 

[behind-bars]

If you can fix it yourself for a reasonable amount I would. I am not sure how long the 4.9 will last. I know its a workhorse that can go a long time, but I think most cases are like yours where the rest of the car falls apart around the engine. Hopefully you can turn up some parts for it. I dont see as many early 90s sevilles as devilles so that may be the hard part.

 

[JetTech1]

Good, the car is in great shape outside of the accident damage so i'll def. start looking for parts, which shouldn't be too hard since i live in the metro detroit area.:thumbsup:

 

[behind-bars]

Good, the car is in great shape outside of the accident damage so i'll def. start looking for parts, which shouldn't be too hard since i live in the metro detroit area.:thumbsup:

Lucky You! I can't find a junkyard where I live. A few friends say their is one, but no one can remember the name or location :hmm::histeric:

Maybe if you look hard enough you can find parts in the same color and avoid any extra paint work, Should have quite the selection it Dertroit

 

[Edahall]

Also, I believe the body parts are pretty much the same from 92-97. In 1998, the STS was restyled. The 4.9 are long lasting engines and even after 250k miles often all that needs replacing is the rings.

 

[V-Eight]

If you're looking for cheap transportation, it might be a good car to fix up. The 4.9 engines in these cars are reliable and can go for a long time if it was maintained. However, the biggest weak link is the headgasket.

^ Fixed

 

[Edahall]

^ Fixed

The headgaskets being a weak link is usually due to a misdiagnosis for the intake manifold gaskets. When the coolant is not maintained, the intake manifold gaskets tend to die and allow water into the oil and many times, this is misdiagnosed for a bad head gasket when all that is needed is a new intake manifold gasket. If this was a Northstar engine, then I would agree with you. The headgaskets were definitely a weak link on that engine.

 

[V-Eight]

The headgasket bolts on my engine snapped

 

[Edahall]

The headgasket bolts on my engine snapped

Oh wow!! I've heard of headgaskets bolts snapping during removal from very neglected engines but not while in operation. Was the coolant serviced regularly? Basically, was the coolant changed every 2 years and was bars leak added?

 

[V-Eight]

I'm not sure, I heard it was a pretty common problem. Basically the holes had to be threaded and new bolts had to be put in. Bars leak?

 

[JetTech1]

just got back from a junkyard and i am amazed with the prices, my new(to me) fender was only 37 bucks and the hood is 43(couldn't grab it as i didn't bring a truck with me) and the bumper should only be like 40. All in all i should be able to get all of the parts needed for around 200. Add paint and i should be under 400 to fix this beast. Not bad IMO.

 

[creeker]

The headgaskets being a weak link is usually due to a misdiagnosis for the intake manifold gaskets. When the coolant is not maintained, the intake manifold gaskets tend to die and allow water into the oil and many times, this is misdiagnosed for a bad head gasket when all that is needed is a new intake manifold gasket. If this was a Northstar engine, then I would agree with you. The headgaskets were definitely a weak link on that engine.

I haven't read or heard of the head gaskets on a 4.9 being a major problem.

 

[V-Eight]

Well it wasn't as prominent as it is on the Northstar, but it was still higher than it should have been

 

[creeker]

Well it wasn't as prominent as it is on the Northstar, but it was still higher than it should have been

If you read up on the 4.9 in this forum it shows the 4.9 as being "bulletproof", they can easly reach 200,000 to 250,000 miles without any major problems.