> A friend is thinking about buying a Stag. He has found a 1972 with
>an automatic transmission (strike one), AC, 65K miles. The owner is
>asking $3000. It seems like a good deal to me. The car is all
>original as far as my friend can tell. The paint and interior are
>worn but in good shape. My friend says that the car runs fairly well,
>but there is a `howl' coming from the rear end.
>
> My questions to you all are: 1) What can cause the howl and is it
>easy to fix? 2) What else should my friend look for? 3) What should
>the compression be on a Stag? 4) Is this a good deal?
Howl is the differential, almost certainly. Classic failure symptom.
I don't know what other cars, if any, the Stag shares rear ends with. If it
doesn't (or the ratios are unusual), it could be expensive, unless you can
find a good used Stag rear end (perhaps not as hard as you'd think, for reasons
that will become clear).
With Stags _check the engine_!!! The crank is a limp piece of
spaghetti, and it used potato chips for heads (at least you'd think so from
the way they warp). OK, mild exaggeration, but only mild. Many Stags have
low miles for a reason. They also corrode internally (in the engine) if
the antifreeze isn't kept fresh and the proper type used. You could describe
it as two TR7 engines bolted together, but not upgraded for the added stress
and heat (and TR7's are already known for overheating and warping heads).
Admittedly, I don't own a stag (I think the idea of a Stag is kinda
cool, and wouldn't mind having one if it weren't for the engine). Some fool
has been trying to sell one around here for $7000 (ha) for a year or two.
Have the engine gone over with a fine-tooth comb, and check the repair
records to see what's been done. Ask about coolant changes and any
overheating. Check the oil pressure, have a leakdown test done.
Perhaps some of our Stag-owners can comment? They've been discussed
before on the british-car list. One comment I heard: the best thing to do with
a Stag is to pull the engine, use it as a boat anchor, and stuff a 3.5L TR/
Rover/Buick Al V8 in there. :-)
--
Randell Jesup, Scala US R&D, Ex-Commodore-Amiga Engineer class of '94
Randell.Jesup@scala.com
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