Found 88 Dodge High Top 118k miles $1200

[vagari]

I just saw this 88 Dodge high top van for sale for $1200. It has 118k miles and owner "says" it only needs a brake booster. The owner has had it for 10 years and used it for a flea market business. The inside is gutted. Just walls. The driver and passenger seats are falling apart. The exterior is not too bad for 24 years old.<br /><br />I plan to take it for a test drive (assuming the brakes work).&nbsp;I plan to listen for knocking or other noises, check for fluid leaks, see how it shifts from park to drive, see how much play in steering. What else should I check out on a van this old?

 

[Guest]

It looks good&nbsp; Vagari....I thtink it may be a good one...<br /><br />If you are serious about it after all the personal tests, etc. if it were me, I would take it to a good mechanic shop and pay the $80 for a complete mechanical survey so you know what the facts are....<br />Bri

 

[wrcsixeight]

Average life for a Dodge van transmission is 130k miles, and many go up for sale as soon as the owner notices the tranny is acting funny,<br /><br />Many times they have taken it for a tranny service or a flush, and tranny joints almost never use the correct fluid(ATF+4) &nbsp;and this then makes it worse.<br /><br />Overdrive transmissions cost minimum 1800 to rebuild

 

[user 423]

Is this a B350,1-ton model?&nbsp; If so, it may have a 360 small-block instead of a 318 (lots of owners get this wrong). Loaded with gear, a B350 would be under-powered if it only has a 318 IMHO, especially if you will drive in mountainous areas.<br /><br />If it is a 360 then it has a carbureted motor. '88 was the first year for fuel-injection on the Dodges but only on the 318 and V6 motors.&nbsp;It's getting hard to find someone to work on carbs and rebuilt ones from Autozone,etc. usually aren't very good. Also, if it's a 360 it may have a 4-barrel carb which is even harder to rebuild or more expensive to replace.<br /><br />Fuel injection is usually better overall and&nbsp;will&nbsp;give you slightly&nbsp;better MPG also. If you can get a look at a Haynes,etc. service manual at the library, it lists the engine types for the VIN.<br /><br />Be aware that these older vans had only 5 digits on the odometer and unless the owner can document the true mileage, it actually might be 218K miles.

 

[Ricekila]

If I had a dime for every AFB or Rochester I rebuilt on the kitchen table -- I'd have a buck --&nbsp;85 <img src="/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />If a 318 --- could slap a pair of 273 heads on it <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" />

 

[howardsells2000]

Vagari, how did it do? Did you drive it yet?

 

[Ballenxj]

If I had a dime for every AFB or Rochester I rebuilt on the kitchen table -- I'd have a buck --&nbsp;85 <img src="/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br />

<br />So, You have rebuilt eighteen and a half carburetors? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />I've rebuilt a Q-Jet or three. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />Although, it has been said before; that the "best" carburetor is not as good as the "worst" fuel injection system. <br />While we're on the subject, how about a set of Hillbourn mechanical injectors on an old school Hemi? <br />

<br />-Bruce

 

[Ricekila]

Bruce -- your P / M's are disabled ? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/comp.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" />

 

[Ballenxj]

Bruce -- your P / M's are disabled ? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/comp.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" />

<br />Apparently they were. I guess that was the default setting? <br />Fixed now, sorry. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />-Bruce

 

[HoboBerg]

Nice find<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp;I been very happy with my 89 dodge Turtle Top!

 

[ParadiseParrot]

I love 318's