Hey guys! I'm looking at a 93 montero SR thats in great shape looks wise but might need some motor work. It was sitting as an abandond vehicle and was towed away. I was told that it sat at a repair shop and the owner just left it. The owner of the shop had a towing company tow it away. I have no keys and i was told that it was at the repair shop for rod knock. I can get a deal on it but was wondering about trying to replace rod bearings (if possible) or any other ideas. How reliable are they. Thanks in advance for your input.

Welcome to the board! What you're looking at is a 3.0 V6 6G72 motor. They are very reliable. Most folks here say that they are easier than most engines to rebuild. (I've just done heads only)

If you are considering swapping out motors, here is a place I was talking to about the same: www.risingsunengines.com. They sell used engines from Japan and Korea. Last time I checked, they were charging $895 for the Korean 6G72 and $1195 for the same from Japan. The general consensus from the experts on this board is that you're usually better off rebuilding your own than swapping in a used engine. However, some folks have had success with the latter.

Good luck,

Powell

Crossent,

The truck, once you get it running right, will be an excellent vehicle, no question. My concern is clearing the title if you are going to resell it some day, and to ensure you'll have a clean title when you purchase it.

Regardless, you'll want to confirm with the DMV that the shop has acquired the vehicle in satisfaction of a lien, or that the owner handed the shop title when he/she walked away. If the shop cannot provide you a good title (salvage or otherwise) they have nothing to sell you, as the car still rightfully belongs to its registered owner. Be wary, and ask to see all title documents and verify them (that they are not fraudulent) with the DMV.

The trannys in these trucks are pretty bullet proof, and you can rebuild that engine yourself for around $600 if you have a shop redo the heads and you do the bottom half (I'm sure there will be others chiming in on this figure, but that's right around what it cost me).

My experience has been that this site is a veritable wealth of technical, practical and humorous information, which should assit you in your rebuilt and in enjoying your vehicle to it's full pontial.

Hang onto and use this vehicle, they're very capable off roaders. Best of luck.

Welcome to the board crossent I have had my 93sr since 96. Bought her when she had about 64000 on it and now @ 170.000 and three motors later I still love the truck...The first motor went because of the harmonic balancer pully bolt broke. Got the recall notice from Mitsu 1 year or so later. Here is my post on the talk side about this recall.
http://www.4x4wire.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=101;t=000468
or just go over to the talk side of this forum and look for the recall notice.

mood point i guess if you are doing an overhaul.....if so make sure you get the "new" bolt for that pully

second motor still under warrenty blew the head gaskets......my Jasper guy put in a new one at about 160000 miles
Just as Jim_bo said check out that title....get it in your name etc before you spend a dime on the truck....

If you get her get her running you should really enjoy it. This place is a great resourse for all kinds of questions and advice....top notch folks here with a vast knowledge of these trucks. Sit back buckle up and enjoy the ride....

The proper paperwork has been done (Lein sale). The mitsu has 144,000 on it. It looks like it has every option available on the thing. My buddy will sell it to me for $800.My local dealer is going to cut me a key for $10 so i can hear it run.Hopefully there is no rod knock. Is it worth a try to slap bearings in or is that just wishfull thinking?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by crossent:
<strong>The proper paperwork has been done (Lein sale). The mitsu has 144,000 on it. It looks like it has every option available on the thing. My buddy will sell it to me for $800.My local dealer is going to cut me a key for $10 so i can hear it run.Hopefully there is no rod knock. Is it worth a try to slap bearings in or is that just wishfull thinking?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I think that may be wishful thinking. From what I've learned from the experts up here, the crank will have wear on it from 144k of driving those pistons. You probably won't be able to get the right fit without machining the crank, etc. Your best bet is to pull the engine, take it apart and rebuild it. You'll be happier with the results and will get lots of miles out of your fresh engine. That truck sounds like a great deal. I've never seen a Gen II under $1000 before...

Have fun,

Powell

Just to throw in my $.02 (again). I don't think you really need to pull the engine. Everything can be done that you will need to do by removing the intake plenum and fuel injectors from the top of the engine to access the heads. Sounds like a tough task, but take your time, lable the wires, and DO NOT force any of the connectors - they come off easily when you figure out how to properly unlatch them.

Next, you will need to drop the timing belt. drain the radiator, pull it, and basically free up the whole front area of the engine.

As for the bottom end, pull the skid plates, undo the front axle, pop out the drive shafts from the hub and drop the whole diff/driveshafts assembly. Then you'll have plenty of room room to pull the crank, hone the cylinders, replace the bad/worn out "stuff" and throw back together (allbeit upside down).

I've skipped over a whole bunch of stuff, but invest in a Chiltons or Haynes (neither one of which tell you how to undo those damn electrical connections), work slowly and methodically, follow the directions in the book and think of it as a giant puzzel.

I think for the price you're getting the truck for, this is a worthwhile project. Oh, remember, look inside the distibuter cap to find which cylinders fire where. The outside of the cap and the dirction of the rotor are deceptive (it took me a whole day figure out why the damn thing wouldn't run).

Title sounds like its good, and I believe you said the shop owner is a buddy, but check it out with DMV also. My wife would kill me, but if you feel like your over your head, I'd gladly take the thing off your hands for $900, but that's contingent on where the heck Newbury Park is (I'm in Orange County). Good luck and keep us updated.

I found some reciepts in the car And at it's 60k service performed at the dealer the owner had to be towed back. The invoice says #4 spark plug was crossthreaded so it says they R&R cylinder head to healy coil it . I also see some interesting parts- gasket kit,stud,piston&P,Bearing&P,Rod assy,Ring set.Ouch! I should have a key in a few hours to see if it even turns over and if everything works.

Well She's got rod knock. Went to put it in gear(auto)and doesn't seem to go into gear.Unfortunatly someone slashed the d-side tires so it doesn't want to move very well.The shifter does not go down to 1st so maybe theres a linkage problem.Got to love the dual bouncy seats though! Any mitsu shops around or engine rebuilders that you like?

Crossent

Welcome! First I wanted to say that if you have the money to repair it then it's a good deal. If you can do a majority of the work yourself that will be a big finacial help to you.
If you plan on having someone else do it then expect between $3500 to $5500+ (depending on what parts you need) for the engine rebuild.

Let's just say that if you do end up rebuilding the engine then you would have a great vehicle with an essentially new engine that you then write the history on. Where as for $5000 to $6500 you could buy the same thing in running condition but you inherit someone elses history.

Another option is that you could certainly buy it then part it out and make a nice profit.

Good luck