I have read through numerous old postings on used ZF transaxles and am considering buying one for a back-up due to their seemingly rarity. I have run across a guy with a used ZF in the next state over. It is an assembled 5 DS-25/2.
I have looked at the unit but being new to the Pantera field I might as well be looking at a F-16 motor. The unit looks like any other old used ZF I have seen in person or on Ebay - dusty, somewhat dirty, and some minor oil leaking out of the half shaft axle areas.
I am looking for some pointers to hopefully help me make an informed decision on buying the unit. I have heard horror stories of guys buying used ZF’s for 5K and having to spend that much on repairing them.
I did ask the guy if I could take it and have a reputable rebuilder look at it, but being that he doesn’t know me from Adam and the closest rebuilder is almost 500 miles away, I am stuck making a decision on my own accord.
I think I can talk him into letting me pull the bottom cover to take look inside before we make a deal. The transaxle was supposedly pulled from a totaled Pantera 10+ years ago for a GT40 project that the guy eventually gave up on. It reportedly had 21,000 miles on it when the car was wrecked.
The transaxle has had oil in it but I don’t think he has been turning it over to keep things lubed up like he should have. However, when I turn the half shafts the stuff inside seems to turn smoothly - but there is a slight amount of play in them (I don’t know if this is normal). He also does not know if it has been safety wired.
Besides obvious interior rust, water in the oil, metal filings, etc. is there anything I can do or look for to make a more informed decision before I negotiate a price? Also if it looks good inside or even bad inside, for that matter, what kind of value do you think it is worth in todays market?
I will be able to look at it again probably this weekend or early next week and would appreciate any help or advice. Thanks Again.
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