hey gang,
Im looking at a 1990 dodge 250, 4x4, 5 speed that has 220,000 miles on the clock. The man who owns it said the head cracked at 210,000 for no reason and it was replaced. what would cause this? should i run away? the guy said it was fixed so should it be ok? it went 210,000 miles fine, ... so....?

my second question is what would a truck like this be worth? the guy wants 8,000 but said we could talk. KBB said at most 5,500. no big mods, custon exhaust, k&n, tires rims, cloth interior, air bags for the back, paint seems fine, new alternator, and ac pump+ new front bearings. new tranny and clutch at 170,000. pyro, boost, and rpm guages.

one more question, is this normal to replace the tranny on a 5 speed at 170,000, that seems a little low to me. the guy said it was towed with but not very much and only a 2 horse trailer and a camper a few times.


P.S. Does anyone live in or near Quincy WA. that wouldn't mind test driving it, and giving me a report?


thanks for any help

chris

 

Was the head "fixed" or replaced? The early heads had larger injector bores that could cause the head to crack inbetween them. If he DID replace the head, did he put on a later head? If not ask for a receipt and call the place that did the repair. If it was a backyard repair I would walk away. Ask him how often or if the valve lash got checked.

 

Not uncommon for tranny to go out. im lookin at a 95 that had it done at 70k, 3 gear went out. Im not all that familiar with Getrags but I would ask for prof as well on that one.

 

thanks guys, what sould i expect to pay $$ going by what the guy said it sounds like it was replaced. i'll check about who did it.

thanks
chris

 

If all of the reparis were done A+, then I would give $6 to $7000 for it in very clean condition. The aftercooled trucks in 91.5 have the aftercooler and "chevy style" front brakes and hubs (thicker rotors, and splined lockouts). 92 &93 have a deeper frame section, larger spring bushings, more things controlled by the PCM, a crank position sensor, and a better ABS module. If the tranny was run low on oil, and the stock fill height is "low", then it is not surprising that it would need to be replaced at 170k. If you fill it "full" (about a pint over the fill plug), then it will last for many more miles.

That's my opinion, at least.

 

thanks, thats about how much i was thinking. i'm going to talk with him some more about the head and price. what else should i know about thwe 1990 dodge?

Does anyone live in that aria? whats the rust factor?

thanks guys

 

I have a 1991 non-intercooled with 210,00 miles on it. the tranny is original, and my dad says the he never replaced the clutch, but my mom says they did. the thing runs perfect.

 

If the head WAS replaced, find out what model it was for if it isn't for the same year. Not a real big deal, but will help down the road when you want to modify. Did he re-use the original injectors? Most guys seem to be happy with the getrag when filling it with the extra quart of oil and either after market or 2nd gen flex plate. It should be worth more than KBB with the newer parts, but he shouldn't ever expect to get every penny back with a restoration. Take it for a spin, does the rear end clunk, brakes work good, steering sloppy? They may need it eventually, but it should be a decent price range if they'll get you by awhile. Make sure 4x4 works too. Again, if the old head was repaired, I'd get an opinion from Cummins first.

 

well the truck is not located where i can test drive it EZ. IF ANYONE WANTS TOO FOR ME that live in the area then that would be cool.