'01 Lightning Project

[98expo]

Had a deal fall into my lap that I couldn't pass up. A friend works the repo at a local bank and knew I would be interested. Truck has been sitting for 2 years. Problems were unknown except I saw the #4 coil off so I figured plug failure.

It looked rough, but I knew there was a gem under all that crap. Got it home and immediately started to power wash the truck. Did one round of soap and damn did it clean up. Still have lots of work to do, but its a keeper.

Head is toast as the Time sert attempt failed and the head is broke around the hole. I said what the heck and wanted to see if it would fire over.... 2 cranks and it fires right up! Going to tear it down and see what else needs replaced and rebuild.

Thanks!!!





Should fit into the stable well...


After power wash, no soap

 

[98expo]

Interior is much better. Still needs shampoo'd


After some soap and a quick hand wax

 

[josephcostello]

What a driveway, always had a soft spot for lightnings

 

[JetmechF16]

Badass! I miss my old Lightnings, best daily drivers ever!

 

[HEMI LOL]

nice find, definitely something special about Lightnings. i adore mine.

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

great to see one being saved!

 

[CobraBob]

Nice that you saved that one. It always is looking so much better. I wish you the best with the engine checks/build.

 

[BlksvtCobra01]

Happy to see you saving it. Keep the thread updated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SLVRBLT]

Looks good OP, very nice job.

Badass! I miss my old Lightnings, best daily drivers ever!

Yup, good times. DD for 8 years.

nice find, definitely something special about Lightnings. i adore mine.

Cherish it, I regret from time to time selling mine.

 

[Zemedici]

Looks like a gem in the rough as you said OP, keep us updated.

 

[faststang87]

I have always wanted to get lightning. Just never did. Definitely keep us updated.

 

[coposrv]

I've always wanted a dd lightning. Simple re-build on the motor?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[98expo]

Thanks everyone!

I have started to tear it down. First approach is to get to the passenger side head. If it looks like much is damaged I will pull the motor for a rebuild. I would like to get it on the road and see what is all needed, but if it looks like the motor is too far gone I'll yank it out of there.

 

[98expo]

Few shots from today. Only had about 2 hrs to work on it this weekend. I had to put new floors down in the house for the wife.




So Dirty!


Blower off...


Welp, looks like I'll be stripping these down...

 

[Dusten]

Everytime i see a stock lightning under the hood I forgot how busy they are compared to a well modded one. Good luck with the truckl

 

[Satyr]

Awesome find. Definitely on my list of cars to have at some point when time/money permit.
Good luck with the build!

 

[98expo]

Got a little further last weekend.



Since I have access to $20k+ Bore scopes I decided to get a better look at the stripped insert and all of the cylinders....

WTF! Pretty sure thats not normal.


Good news is that all of the cylinders and pistons looked good... saw tons of cross hatching after 90k miles.


Next is to remove the head and start ordering parts!!!

 

[M240Bravo]

awesome build man, give the old girl a new life.

 

[black99lightnin]

So how much of a deal did you get?

 

[98expo]

Thanks! I hope she'll be a good cruiser when done.

I won't say exactly, but i figured worse case I could sell the wheels, seats, and ground effects and be a little ahead...lol