What to do with my C3 engine!
 

My car is in the shop, has been for about three weeks. It is haunted by some electrical problems that have caused it to not start. My mechanic finally got it to start, but he said the electrical is in bad shape (I guess from age). He wants to speak with me on Monday about his plans and what he thinks he can do, but it sounds like big bucks and a few months of time. The time is because they have some many other cars that they need to fix, they cannot simply work on mine for five straight days.

Here is the deal, I have thought about getting another car, and the one I have is a 1980 SC with a Carrera 3.0 engine. When he finally got the car to start, it ran great (his words), and I had him do a compression test. I do not yet have the official results, they are being sent to me, but he said the results were, "very good."

I think I am ready to sell the car. My only question of ya'll is whether it makes more sense to sell the car outright, or if someone may find it more valuable to just buy the engine, and I will part out the rest.

Thanks...

What about getting a wiring harness from another car? I've never heard of these cars having age related wiring problems.

In any case, I think it would be hard for anyone to tell you whether it's worth it to part it out without more info and pics. My inclination is to tell you to fix the car. Spending hundreds of hours of your time parting out a car isn't fun. Maybe take it somewhere else for a second opinion now that it's running?

I am a wiring guy. Sell it to me!!

I personally think your mechanic is full of crap.

My advice: Get a better mechanic.

I was thinking about this during my son's hockey game (they were getting creamed). You are right HardDrive, I think it is rediculous too...I will be speaking with him on Monday, when I was talking to the shop, they seemed frustrated more than anything, that the car was just too much work...seems odd to me. I didn'ty read where the job had to be easy, but perhaps I missed something on the web site...I just want my car back.

I say try a whole new harness. Maybe try the Pelican classifieds. I agree that parting it out may become a time consuming task. I would be glad to help out but I am NOT into electricals. Maybe some other MI Pelican folks will chime in.

I have to agree,.......I've worked on these cars for 30+ years and the only times a new harness is required is in the event of a fire, naturally. Your car is NOT that old and there are lots of '65-'80+ cars with well over 400K on them and original wiring.

All it takes is some detective work with the factory manuals, a DVOM and patience; the latter is what is missing on the part of your mechanic.

Find someone else who is both motivated and qualified to sort things out. Those SC's are excellent cars.

Mechanics sees Porsche hmmmm luts sucker this guy for big $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ , Kevin

Well, I am going to meet with the mechanic on Monday, I did checking before I went there, and I read a lot of positive stuff about them....I am going to let him know what I think should be done and we shall see...I don't understand why he would just replace the wire harness in the engine compartment if that is what it took and just do it. Oh well, I am not a mechanic...I guess I will wait to speak with him.

Electrical may not be his strong point.

seems as such...time for me to just getr the car back...

I think that's prudent. Good luck!