Posted by Mr. Coffey on August 28, 2002 at 20:11:53 from 66.41.153.135
In Reply to: Cracked E-12 Head posted by Dick on August 28, 2002 at 13:57:54:
80 & 81 E12s with manual transmission came with 5-speed overdrive.
Confirmation of cracked head can only be done by removing it to visually check it. You can do a compression test or a leakdown test to confirm that either the head is cracked or the head gasket is blown. Whichever is the case, the head must come off for the repairs to be made.
It sounds like the $500 car might be the way to go - IF the motor is good (you don't want to get into MORE problems). If it has a rebuilt 3.0 engine, it means the engine came from another car. 1979-1981 E12s came with 2.8L engines. 1978 and earlier came with 3.0 engines (in the U.S.).
Check the Technical FAQs for engine & tranny swaps. I suspect most of what is covered to put in a 3.5 would apply to installing a 3.0 engine.
Good luck and ask questions. There are a lot of people here with a TON of good knowledge on everything related to these cars!