He's got the built rig, it just has a dead motor. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

But motor swaps aren't a trivial job if you're not already set up with hoists, stands, a proper garage full of the right tools, tons of time etc...

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Exactly, that's why I think he started the build with the wrong platform from the get go.

Also, I dont feel "rebuilt motors" are a big problem with the DOHC. Rebuilt engines dont come with butterfly's or crank bolts, that up to the installer to change those parts over from the old engine, or replace if worn as necessary.

Guess what I'm trying to say a rebuilt engine is only as good as the install, if your using the same old lower plenumn and old crank bolt old radiator etc, your asking for trouble IMO.

I have a 98 sohc 3.5 sitting here, it was overheated. That is all I know about its past. It runs fine at the moment. I have put 100 miles on it out in the desert. The truck it is in has a salvage title and a bent frame. If I had a rig and needed an engine I would drop this one in and see what happens. Yes it will need seals and timing and back maintenance. Just throwing this out as another route.

Now not to step on toes here ..(sigh ...I'm good at that.. sorry to say...) .. You got a number you would want on this junker .. My 89 needs a 3.5 motor...

Now Lloyd ... A motors is a motors is a motors ... they all go up and down and roundly ....round... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/oink.gif" alt="" />................... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />..

A swap is NEVER money'$ wi$e .........Ever ... ( Now down boy Mr LR ... We have 'banged bars in the passed'.. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />.. not now....) ... Not that a swap is a bad thing.. Just cost is higher then OEM fix.... This motor thing is not easy... I did 17 motors last years ... 16 all great oil leak ,,water leak here and there all doinging great ..One motor 'my motor' eats the crank and sh*&^ts its self..WHY...YYYYYYYY....??????????????????

. And "I'm a Pro' car guy ... 10% of all the motors "I" do 'bit the big one' ...10% of pro car guys motors die... And 50%+ of the 'shade tree mechanics' bit the big one on motors... Its not in the motor its the set up...(Please no flames on this...)...Do your home work on the motor shops around you and find a shop that 'knows' Mitsu's and go from there..... Sorry on the motor that died....

judging from lloyds past New Mexico mechanics arn't very mitsu in the know so for him to rebuild it in state is gonna be rough. He pretty much either has to send it out like jay did for his 3.5 rebuild or roll the dice on a low milage(so they say) motor i guess a compression test would be a good thing to see on that before you buy it.

The problem is less of a New Mexico issue, then a national issue. When a 3.5 blows, the vehicle is junked. Therefore NO ONE knows how to build these rare engines. Like anything if you don't do it every day....I paid for the most expensive, highest reputation rebuild with extended warranty for my old 3.0 and was left with an under powered, over heating mess that the builder washed there hands of because I brought in the clear water heads. It may be that rebuilds in general are just not reliable at a high percentage. And that makes me very reluctant to spend such large sums of money yet again and drop it down a rabbit hole.

What about these guys http://www.karking.com/testimonials.html

I think they have been mentioned before.

Two grand...that hurts.

I'd still do a compression test on it before installing it.

John B.

this setup will get you down the trail.