'97 Taurus Wagon GL 177k+: Accident Damage

Involved in an accident on the way home from work. Fortunately nobody hurt. Car drove home OK - no leaks that I can tell. The front driver's side fender, headlight assembly and side marker light are history. The hood is probably history too as it went partially underneath the rear passenger corner of the truck in front and ended up getting scored pretty deeply lengthwise. The front fascia/bumper cover might be reusable; I'm not sure.

I see these parts being sold on EBAY through multiple vendors as "aftermarket" (non-OEM) that are supposedly "guaranteed to fit". None mention the wagon, though. Does anybody know:

1.) What the quality of these "aftermarket" parts is.

2.) If these parts typically fit, or which brands seem to fit more often.

3.) If I need to buy parts for a wagon-only (in other words: are the sedan and wagon body parts the same on the front end or not).

 

Would check auto salvage yards for like parts at cheaper cost

 

Usually salvage yard parts are cheaper than those on ebay and if you are lucky, you may find a part that is the same color. I found a hood for a 1972 Mustang at a salvage yard and didn't have to repaint it. This alone saved me $100.00.

 

Salvage yard much cheaper way to go...and more parts availability as well...

 

Sorry for the long delay, but I just ended up back here looking for a procedure to replace the camshaft synchro and sensor.

For the body damage, I ended up buying a complete car off Craigslist ('98 Taurus sedan with bad transmission) for $200. After transferring the hood, driver front fender and headlight, upper radiator support, and front bumper cover, I had the car crushed/shredded. Bottom line was $280 out of my pocket, but I also stripped the "donor" car down to pretty much nothing before crushing it, so I have a barrel full of Taurus parts, plus rims, tires, a fender and my old bumper cover (which is probably still usable) ... worth more than $280, for sure. Used a gutted swingset as my "bays" for doing the swapping of the hoods.

 

Did you get the trans line fittings?

 

If you're asking did I get the fittings off the "donor" before crushing it, the answer is NO. I didn't think of it. At that time, I didn't know I would later be struggling with the fitting ... and removing a fitting from the tranny wasn't even something that occurred to me (like removing the alternator, power steering pump, or starter obviously did).

If you're asking did I replace the fitting after distorting the plastic insert, the answer is also NO. It didn't end up leaking and I just let the sleeping dog lie.