Looking at buying a 1997 ex cab f150 today

[ChubbyHubby]

I'm going to look at an F150 today. It has 180000 miles on it. He said the engine and tranny are good and runs well...of course. Is there anything I should look at when I see it? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

This is it

http://ithaca.craigslist.org/cto/1625845948.html

 

[blacksnapon]

I'm going to look at an F150 today. It has 180000 miles on it. He said the engine and tranny are good and runs well...of course. Is there anything I should look at when I see it? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

This is it

http://ithaca.craigslist.org/cto/1625845948.html

underside, passenger side head,rear, at the head gasket----any oil leaks?

 

[ChubbyHubby]

He said it doesn't leak anything. Not to sound like I don't know what I'm talking about (cuz I don't). When I'm looking at it, how would I know if the heads are bad?

 

[blacksnapon]

That one was a problem with the gasket. Back there (just above the starter) would be an oil leak.There is an oil passage close to the edge of the gasket. Many times we would in addition to finding a defective gasket, the head or the block surface would be out of spec. If theres an oil leak back there, trouble is 'a brewing.

 

[ChubbyHubby]

Trouble = lots of $$$?

 

[ChubbyHubby]

Is it something he could just put a heavier weight of oil in to hide it temporarily?

 

[blacksnapon]

Most generally! Its all in what your comfort level is.

 

[blacksnapon]

Is it something he could just put a heavier weight of oil in to hide it temporarily?

possibly clean it off, and not drive it any more.

 

[ChubbyHubby]

If by comfort level you mean the amount of money I have to fix it, then I am the most uncomfortable person you know. I hate to admit it, but I am pretty mechanically dumb. I am trying to figure out right now how to locate the starter lol.

 

[mclovn82]

my dad is selling his 97 f250 he doesnt use it cause he uses his company truck for everything i hate seeing it sit out in the yard it runs and drives awesome he wants 2k for it

 

[klatt_89]

Basically the starter is at the lower passenger side of the engine. Where that circular cutout is is where the starter is. It's pretty hard to tell, but the oil leak would be on the head which is under the black cover.