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Well, I tried. Said I'd try and pick up the Tempo this weekend. Didn't know what I was getting into really. So gathered the family, loaded up the 'Burban with my air compressor and tow dolly. Got there and my uncles RV was sitting in front of it. He didn't think it start without a battery charge. Also, the Tempo was buried. Tires flat and stuck in the ground, frozen. Man, I want that Tempo here now so I can get it running to drive! It does have some rust issues on the bottom of the door. So, it's not perfect. But looking at the odometer, it says 14,??? (so I'm guessing it's 114,???). Should have another 100k miles left to it or more! Didn't get to see underneath it or inside. Doors froze shut, not touched in years! Probably been sitting for 5-10 years or more. Uncle stated he didn't close the hood completely so it was able to be lifted without getting inside and poping the pull latch. Nuts, leafs, pine needles. Oh, it needs cleaned bad. But there it was, right on top of the valve cover, DIESEL! Forgot to ask what year it was. But to describe it, it has the 'smoothed' grill and composite headlights. '86 - '88? Surface rust and gunk everywhere on it. Needs a good pressure wash and a quick paint job (rustoleum roller). It's a 4 door. Has covered steel wheels, pan style to cover it flat.
Ok, now is this stupid or brilliant? Few mods I've considered. Front grill block. Wheel covers with some thin scrap metal and self threading screws. Golf ball it. Own an oxygen / acetelyn torch. Heat the area up enough to form and bend easily. Take a ball ping hammer and hit the flat opposing side with a rubber mallet. Do this to the metal panels. It's going to look awful regardless. Remember, it's been sitting. Looks don't matter. Even if it comes out looking horrible, I'd like to see if there will be any gain. Don't want it to come out warped and deformed though, so I'll try and be careful. Paint it once it's finished. Clean up the underside with some thin sheet metal. Try and keep it light and cheap.
The truck is a real POS but the engine is a 6.2 and a TH400. Truck is rusted horribly. Bench seat is horrible. The floor and dash finish the trashed decor. But, the engine and tranny have some value. Perhaps pull the engine and tranny, scrap or part out the rest. This engine deserves a better truck. Under the hood is a complete other story as compared to the rest of the truck. Looks clean! Said it leaks diesel from the fuel in line bad so it's not getting any fuel. Said it ran before the leak got real bad. Either way, they're both free and worth getting.
VT247
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