So the saga starts with a craigslist ad for a $500 98 GTP with 139k on it that needed a motor. After conversing with the owner and getting an idea of what was going on, the owner told me that the shop told her it was a blown head gasket. Knowing these cars don't just blow head gaskets for no good reason, I talked her down to $350 and got the title and keys. The car was located at a shop 3 miles from my house, so I went there to pick it up preparing to get it towed. So I get there, there's no SC belt on it, oil is a little white but not bad. I got in and tried to start it, motor wouldn't crank more than a quarter turn. Thought it might be a weak battery so I hooked some cables up, same thing. Figuring it could be a chunked piston or hydrolocked, I took out the front three plugs and tried to crank it and it blew some water out of cylinder 3. Cleaned the plugs, put them back in, fired right up and didn't make any noise so I drove it 3 miles home. Had a little white smoke out the exhaust but about half way home it cleared up and ran clean.
Gutted the interior once I got it home. It had the water on the floorboard issue so I siliconed the weatherstrip piece back on under the cowl. Pressure washed the carpet and thoroughly cleaned all the seats and panels and re-installed.
So at this point, it's motor time. Started to tear down and found that a few of the SC bolts and a few of the LIM bolts were pretty finger tight. Supercharger needed a coupler so I did that and put new oil in it. LIM gaskets were DEFINITELY the issue. Did a compression test to confirm the cylinder was viable. and slapped it together with new LIM gaskets and SC gasket. Two oil changes later it's up and running.
After getting it all back together I gave it the first bath and it cleaned up pretty well. Needs tails and head lights. Rear spoiler has no clear coat on it but otherwise the paint is like 8-10. I work at a dealership that does business with a local body shop. I'm going to get a quote on re-painting the spoiler. Now the Regal GS will be going up for sale here soon.
All in I'm into the car for just under 700 bucks right now including the cost of the car. 160 of that was title transfer and registering the car. I feel like I'm doing pretty good
