well i found a $400 sammi at a car lot near me, its a 90 fuel injected and the guy has only had it for about three weeks and hasnt fooled with it at all, the radiator and alternator and intake was removed by the previous owner and put in the back of the sammi so it looks as if he was trying to pull the engine, i cant decide whether the engine is shot or he was just pulling the engine to replace a clutch or something, the odo says 77k but there is no way of knowing if it is 77k or 177k, i know that when i press the clutch down it goes straight to the floor without the slightest bit of resistance, but the clutch cable could be unhooked is what im thinking....is there any way for me to determine if the engine is shot or if its just a clutch, without taking too much time.....

thanks
spencer

If the body and frame are in fair shape, for $400, I'd just drag it home and work on it at my leisure...

First, check the timing belt.  If the belt is bad, Give the man the money before he changes his mind...

Check the clutch cable.  Have someone work the pedal and see if it moves the clutch arm down at the trans.  If the cable is broken, give the man the money before he changes his mind...

Does the transmission hold it in place?  Put it in gear, and try to push it.  If it moves easily, then the clutch is either completely shot or disengaged. 

At any rate, $400 is a good price for a project vehicle.  Even if you need to tinker it back to usefulness by replacing an engine or clutch, junkyard parts should make it economically feasible.  If you are looking for a quick fix as a daily driver right away, you may want to go another $2K for one that is road ready.       

frame is in great condition with a slight bit of surface rust and the body is in good condition with one dime sized rust hole in the passenger door and thats it.....i will try and see if the tranny holds it in place, what all tools and what do i remove to see if the timing belt is bad? ive got some pics i will post up in a minute....im gonna see if i can get it for $300 and take it home.....this is just a pure trail rig....ive got an 04 jeep wrangler as my daily driver

sorry for the night time pics, they were the best i could do.....all the stuff on the hood and by the winshield is pine straw not rust....







thanks,
spencer

It's got some baby swampers on it too, buy that truck
and fix it before it goes to the crusher, it's not going
to cost that much to fix, even if it does need an engine.

alright sounds good guys, im gonna pick it up tomorrow