Hey all,
I was wondering... I am getting ready to swap in a 3.5 with 120K miles into my 95 SR. I don't know anything about the maintenance history of the engine, and was wondering what maintenance I should do while i have the engine out. It seems to me this would be a great time to do the timing belt and maybe the valve stem seals. Shouldn't take long at all with the motor on the stand (or floor). Should I do anything else? Also, apporoximately how much money am I looking at spending for all the necessary parts? I don't want to spend a whole lot, but I also think this might be the perfect time to do this not-so-routine maintenance. One more question, where is the best/cheapest place to buy my parts? Thanks in advance for the replies, this forum is great. Cole

Mentor Mitsu

Mitsu Part.net

These two places had the best prices by far everytime I've needed something for my GenII. I use MBparts.net because I have to pay tax at Mentor. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

your spot on with the timming belt. Replace all the related bearings and pulleys for the t-belt and the hydraulic tensioner as well as water pump. Valve guide seals, yes do those too. The other Items I would recommend are front and rear main seals and possibly cam seals. Spark plugs (Denso iridium or ngk platinum) and spark plug wires should be replaced at this time as well as it will save you from a difficult job later. Hunt the net for the cheapest prices. Others may be able to point you in the right direction for this one.

If you're OK with non-Mitsubishi parts try www.rockauto.com - pretty good prices & great service. I think you're safe with using aftermarket belts & hoses, plugs & wires, but I'd stick with OEM for everything else.
Ditto what Justice said above about using Iridium plugs. I beleive that Denso & NGK both have applications for the 3.5-search the web & ebay stores for the cheapest price. I'm also a firm beleiver in Magnecor wires due to many years of problem-free performance from the sets on my SR & my 240sx. That said, they aren't in everyone's budget, especially when you're doing as many other things at the same time as you're planning to do. Whetever wires you get, definately install them before you install the motor, as they really suck to get into the retainers behind the motor when it's already in the vehicle.

cam and crank seals trans front seal valve steam seals (i have the tool)

mx, Do you have the tool for doing the valve stem seals with the heads on? If so Are you willing to lend it out for a small fee? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Guys,
Thanks for the quick replies, keep em coming. Is it a big deal to do all of these parts with non-factory replacement parts. I really like rockauto.com prices, and really am not looking to spend the money needed to buy factory parts. This vehicle is a low budget SUV to take the place of my high-budget Lincoln Navigator. Debt sucks, and I am ready to have little to none.

By the way, I work on vehicles all the time for myself and others and have never used factory parts (and have never had a problem). Thats why I am asking about the need to use factory parts on the Monty.

I've used aftermarket timming belts, and idler and tensioner bearings with no issues. I usually stick with the mitsu seals as the cost savings is minimal and the MItsu seals last. I cant speak about aftermarket wires I've never tried them.

I've used all kinds of aftermarket parts and have developed a very cautious attitude towards them. I used to work as a service writer at a Nissan dealership and did many repairs on customer's vehicles that had already been repaired once with aftermarket parts by the customer or another shop and came to us to try to fix the same problem that was supposedly just fixed. It amazed me how many problems were caused by brand new aftermarket parts that either didn't work correctly or didn't fit properly. You just never know what corners the aftermarket manufacturer cut to make their part cheaper, or what kind of tolerance allowance they have vs. the OEM parts.

Automakers will sometimes make changes to their replacement parts to correct a known problem with the original design (read:Mitsubishi valve stem seal failure). Aftermarket parts are often lucky to just meet the specs for the original parts.

I've got an Autozone water pump on my 240sx that's just starting to leak out the weep hole. This will be the 3rd time in 2 years that I have to replace it. It's under warranty so it won't cost me anything but time & some coolant, but I'm guessing that a Nissan water pump wouldn't be costing me anything other than the higher initial purchase price.

That said, I'll usually take pulleys apart & take the bare bearings to NAPA or Pep Boys & match them with new Timken bearings whenever possible. I'm not against using aftermarket parts, but I seriously consider how much I feel like doing the job again if they fail vs. the higher cost of the factory parts.

Two more points:
Aftermarket performance parts are usually as good as or better than the OEM parts they are designed to replace.

Some aftermarket parts are a safer bet than others due to the nature of the part. I replaced my Montero's ball joints & steering linkage joints with aftermarket parts from ebay & have had no issues, but I would have to exhaust most other options before I'd buy a starter or alternator from AutoZone.

Ditto on the <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />zone alternator. I think a lot of people on here have had fun with those, including me <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />