oppinions on a possible purchase 2001 astro

[original_balzer]

I have found a 2001 astro AWD cargo 213000 miles and says it has a blown head gasket. UNDER $1000.

I was thinking it would be a good buy even if I just put a new long block in it. I would just have to find the money to pick it up and put an engine in it. I think I could be into it less than $2500 if I did the work myself.

Do any of you think it would be worth it to try to do the head gasket? I always tend to think the worse so I suspect a cracked head or something.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

If the body is clean then I would say pulling the heads off and having them checked would be worth a few bucks. If they are not cracked, then new head gaskets would be a cheap fix. If it was going to cost too much, I would look at a use 4.3 just to get the van running and make sure there is nothing else wrong with it.

[ihatemybike]

I completely agree, I would try to get a couple $100 off the price though.

[Smiliesafari]

Ditto what Dean said. BUT it will only be worth it if you feel it's a good buy. I bought a 97 conversion for $500.00 that needed a motor. It had a serious rod knock. Dean made a post here about that van. It was here in Florida. By the time I replaced the motor and fixed a few other things I ended up with $2000.00 in it. Other than the repairs that I did the van was in excellent condition. I had it for approx. six weeks and sold it for $4000.00. So, my point being, if after you make any repairs the van will be worth more than your total investment then it's a good buy. IMHO.

[Cobra]

i completely agree with Lifted (i've been doing that alot lately... starting to scare me)