The issue of the autopilot is something you should use in setting your offering price, although you might want to check with an avionics shop to get an idea of what it would cost to fix. However, since the Century IIB gets roll attitude data from the AI, that might be the source of the problem, and a
C-IIB compatible AI is going to run around $2000.
Not many '76 model Tigers have the purple glue (mostly '75's) but still worth checking the s/n with Fletchair (800-FA-WINGS) to see if it's on the purple glue list. If so, it's important that you get someone familiar with the purple glue issue to inspect the plane.
With 800 hours SFRM, but low utilization, you want to look carefully at the engine. The two issues of concern would be the valve guides and cam shaft corrosion. If it was reman'd in 1996, it might have either the old steel valve guides or the new high chrome guides, although if done at the factory, it's most likely the new ones. This can be determined by checking the cylinder heads for the circle-c stamp. With the new guides, the SB 388C valve guide wear "wobble" check isn't called for until 1000 hours, but with the old ones, it's every 400 hours. Getting a look at the camshaft is harder, and would require pulling a jug to get a good look -- not something which is part of a normal pre-buy.
You don't say what other avionics the plane has, but if it has an IFR approach GPS, I'd just dump the ADF.
Make sure the prop has had the AD-mandated 200-hour inspections, which go away if you replace it with the STC'd Sensenich prop. Other things to look for are the wing shoulder bolts (7250 hour life, but only $140 for parts to replace at that point), rudder pedal springs (1000 hour life, cheap and easy to replace), horizontal stab forward spar attachment point inspection (should be part of the annual), and any sign of corrosion on the top of the spar in the wing roots (easy to check through the inspection ports with a mirror and flashlight).
For a lot more on looking at Grummans, consider joining the AYA (mentioned above) and accessing the Operations/Maintenance Compendium in the members-only section of the AYA web site. And if you have no prior Grumman time, consider the AYA's Pilot Familiarization Program, also discussed on the web site. You can also get a lot of unfiltered advice on the
Grumman Gang.
