Well just got a preliminary list on the new to me Monty from my machanic.

Not too bad given the age.

Accessory Belts, cracked
Engine mounts in bad shape
Air Filter
Carbon deposits in the intake system
Outer Rear Axel seal on one side,
Rear break, Oil contamination from bad outer seal
Valve cover and cam plug gaskets leaking oil.

He is still waiting on pricing for all the parts to work up estimates.

Any recommendations on priority of the list, easy things like the Air Filter, I can do, not sure about how hard the accessory belts, and engine mounts are. Figure the carbon deposits could be causing the build up of pressure in the motor resulting in the valve cover leaks.

I have two service manuals coming, should be here next week.

The common cause of valve cover leaks is the PVC valve can't keep up with the blowby of a older engine. Check the PCV valve first then replace the gaskets. If it still leaks you have excess blowby from bad valves.

What was the result of the compression test?

All the other stuff is minor <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I'd venture to guess that most of the monties still on the road have one or more of these problems - engine mounts and belts deteriorate with age - rear seal leaking is also quite common.

You can do pretty much all with basic handtools, it just depends on your comfort level... Sounds like your mech is thorough. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Yes my mechanic is a stud. I found them after I was having issues with a Saab I used to have. It seemed to be down on power, took it to several places, and they all looked at me like I was crazy. Well this guy cracked the issue. Seems the timing chain was starching, that was causing a vibration that the knock sensor was picking up and pulling the timing back.

Then they told me fixing the issue was more then they were qualified to take on hunted down a guy they trusted to do the work.

Just nice honest, skilled folks who never want to send you home with a car and a could not duplicate.

IÆll have to check on the compression numbers when I pick the truck up. I only asked what they found that could use work.

I did forget the suspension issue on my list. The usually from what I have been reading ball joints, that part that ties the rack into the front wheel.

So I figure IÆll have them hit the engine mounts, steering, axel and break issues. IÆll try and take on the rest.

Ok just got all the figures. Not as good happy as I was yesterday.

Brake Repairs, replace the questionable break lines, deal with the contaminated drums, and replace inner and outer rear axel seals. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

$2735

Repack / Replace front wheel bearings

$836 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

Valve Cover gaskets

$690

Engine / driveline mounts.

$892

Belts 3 Accessory belts

$202

Cracking turn signal lenses.

$187

Steering System, outer ball joints, pinion etc.

$1266

Fuel System clean intake deposits, filters, etc.

$356

Washer tank pump and hoses.

$225

Install Trailer wiring kit for toeing.

$415

Cooling system flush.

$350.

----Drumroll please--- The grand total comes to: $8154.00. I'm going to guess that the labor comes to about $5800.00. I think this mechanic <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />has his eye on a new boat, or <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />something. Save your $$, find someone to fix the safety issues, for alot less $$, and enjoy the truck. It will almost never need $8K <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />worth of work...

Well I did ask for a listing of all issues they could find. Seems like I got what I asked for.

I really trust these guys, not cheap I know, but really good.

So right now I figure IÆll have them due the safety issue of the breaks and maybe the front bearings.

I should be able to get the belts, motor mounts, valve covers, and intake cleaning, and maybe the steering issues. To be honest though the steering and motor mounts kind of scare me. I have not gotten into that level of wrenching in the past.

Is that a dealership quoting those prices? Maybe a Ferrari dealership?

That's total BS, your being ripped off and badly. You should trust them as there going to be taking your first born <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

$2700 for brakes, you can buy the whole brake system two times over a dealer prices for that. Axel seals are like $20.

$350 for cooling system flush? I will flush your cooling systm for $100 and pay for a nice dinner aftwards <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

$690 for valve cover gaskets....It's a $30 part. I just did mine on the 2.6L $14.99 plus 1.5 hours. Yes it's harder with the 3.0 but not by that much.

Holy cow, $836 engine mounts are like $50, high school shop kids could change them in two hours.

Take your truck and run, don't look back. Your being insulted and taken as a idiot IMO.

DO NOT GO THERE EVER AGAIN. IF YOU DO KICK THAT GUY IN THE BALLS REPEADELY. Tell him to go F him self. You could buy 4-6 more monteros for that price. Is that guy retarted? Post up his phone number I will call him myself. Maybe if you were getting this stuff done on a Ferrari 360Modena at the Ferrari dealer maybe.. I can not beleve this guy. Post his shop and address and phone number and tell everyone you know not to go there. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />