1987 Toyota pickup with bad cylinder

What would be a fair offer for this truck? I'm thinking of getting it.

1987 Toyota pickup with camper shell, PRICE REDUCED.
Reply to: sale-711477135@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-06-07, 1:39PM

For Sale: 1987 Toyota pickup with camper shell. Clean Arizona title. Arizona license plates (expired March, 2008.) This pickup features the following:

Starts and runs.
22R engine. (#4 cylinder has slightly low compression.)
Automatic transmission.
Has A/C, but it does NOT blow cold air.
Fiberglass camper with locks. No leaks! Bombproof!
Great interior and very good and clean body.
Excellent tires.
Overall, a very good looking pickup.
Mileage: 179,488.
One hubcap is missing.
Cash only, no trade. Price Reduced to $1700 (obo). Get ready for July 4th Camping!!
Can be seen at 1025 S. Roosevelt Street in Tempe, 85281. Call 480-829-8095.


This item has been posted by-owner.
Location: Tempe-5 blks. west of ASU
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

Original URL: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/711477135.html

See what an engine costs and deduct that. The engine is toast. You could fix it sure, but any mechanic will tell you that you may as well rebuild/replace the motor in it. Most times these sort of deals are given away.

The rebuild engine installation would be the best option, rather than having someone rebuild the existing engine, but I would not pay over $300 for a 21 year old pickup in this condition.
FWIW, Toyota parts are very well designed and made, and expensive as all hell. I paid nearly $300 for a distributor for my old Camry about 6 years ago.
If you want this, be prepared to pay a lot to get it running right.
A/C work alone will cost you maybe $500.

mark

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Have seller give you the actual compression test numbers, wet and dry.

Dry = normal compression test with gauge.

Do the dry test FIRST.

Wet = small amount of oil squirted into cylinder before testing with gauge.

If the compression increases noticeably on wet test, then it indicates that the piston rings are worn/broken.

If the compression does NOT increase, that indicates a burnt valve, which is considerably cheaper to repair than the piston rings.

I also recommend not buying it without a smog/emission certificate to prevent getting stuck with high repair/upgrading costs.

Toyota makes good vehicles, and the 22R is a tried and reliable engine.

I'm a licensed mechanic since 1975, so I've been around vehicles for awhile.