Acquiring 1979 512BB - NEED ADVICE asap!!!

Isn't the Buyers guide sticky here supposed to cover exactly your query ?

 

Have a PPI done otherwise have deep pockets regardless of condition because anything can happen on the best boxer and they are all old cars by now.

 

where are you located?

 

That's basically it.....Newman's answer!

Buy the best you can find, service it immediately and keep an extinguisher betwen your legs....HAVE FUN!

 

Upgrade the rear gears, before they explode..that's a good idea I have heard.....right Newman?

Sodium valves...worry about those......

 

i suspect you are paying at or close to a premium on the car as boxers have gotten expensive. thus, psend the money to have a real "boxer guy" inspect the car.

where are you and where is the car located.

between this group, we know all the good boxer people to look at your car.

pcb

 

I have a 79 BB, but a good PPI should cover most of the usual items; shocks, suspension bushings, brakes, wheels, tires, etc.
For a BB be sure the carbs are good and operating as expected. Rebuilding the carbs is about $2500.
In general, Service history; When were the timing belts and idler bearings changed? Doing the belts is an engine out service, and belts, idler bearings, water pump rebuild is about 5K, without any other ‘while I’m here’ things done. ‘While I’m here’ can set you back as much as much as your wallet will bear.
Check the clutch. They are easily worn. Clutch and throw out bearing are about $2200, Not including labor.
Listen carefully to the bearings for the transfer gears. Car in neutral with clutch out.
Be sure all the electrical stuff works. Check the fuse boxes in the glove compartment for signs of melt down.
Check for tool pouch, jack, spare tire etc.
Be aware that some Boxer stuff is no longer readily available, and can be costly to replace.
Let us know where you are, and someone can surely recommend a good Boxer guy for you.
Also be aware that a good running BB is an absolute joy to own and drive!!
John

 

Besides the other things mentioned, have your mechanic check out the distributor to make sure that the mechanical advance is working properly.

They are very prone to "freezing up" and the cap can get a lot of moisture trapped inside of it too, corroding the contacts and rotor.

Replacement distributor parts for the Boxers are difficult to find.

 

I don't know if you are in CA, but beware the smog requirements here on carb car, post '75.

 

where did "ferrarimongo" go? he wrote in asking for urgent help...those of us willing to help advise...he just vanished!

guess it was not that urgent or he did not trust that one of us would not snipe his boxer?!?

i have always thought that if you start a thread, you have to be courteous to the extent that you add comment or thanks at some point.

please show some respect to JTR, Newman, Murph, Gary, Frank, Buzz, Fastradio et al.

TRUST ME...if you buy a boxer...you need these folks!!!

 

I respect ALL the Boxer guys (very knowledgeable and willing to share that knowledge) and I don't even have one...




...yet!

 

ah...but u will!!!!

 

and btw...you know the thought of ownership is making you grin from ear to ear!!!! : )

 

I couldn't agree more!

I would have contributed something, but everyone already had made my points before I had a chance!

 

don...i hope you know you were covered under "et al"!!! of course you knew you were covered!

 

Pete,

Thanks for the shameless plug....My phone and personal e-mail has been pretty quiet lately. I guess I got all my "boxer buddies" cars sorted out...

But Spring is just around the corner...and these cars just don't hibernate too well. HA!


Regards,
David

 

dave...you, coco chinetti and george jonas are the very reasons i am a boxer owner today!

no shameless plug dave...just the reality!!

 

Had mine running this afternoon anticipating the warmer weather up here, might have her out in a week or so for the first time since christmas. As for the grinning about possibly owning a boxer, mine is still there, cant seem to wipe it off and Ive had mine for almost 2 years.

 

Seems like that grin not an option, but rather it is part of the standard equipment that comes with a Boxer, eh?

 

Yes and I feel lucky everyday that Im fortunate enough to have one. You just seem to get sucked in by a boxer. You'll understand.

 

He may be a once or twice-a-day chatter. Perhaps he'll hop on later tonight.

 

Newman: Love the new avatar.

 

I agree - Newman's new avatar rocks!

 

And that's a light you need to pay attention too. That'd be one expensive short lived air brake, at say 100mph!