Well the time has come. IÆve taken on a new car project and now I need to fund it. IÆm selling my 1991 Mitsubishi Montero. I bought this guy at the beginning of 2007 from someone in the northern part of Colorado. The state of it was pretty sad, at least for the engine. The previous owner completely disassembled the engine but didnÆt have/find the time to put it back together. Which I guess for me was exciting since I needed a project to keep my sanity. I found out about it bought then towed it to my house where the fun in putting it together began. I immediately began sorting through the parts. I took the block, pistons with rods and heads down to local engine shop to have them look at the condition and to diagnose any problems. He clean, bored, honed, did a rain dance and ordered me an engine kit. I got the engine back and I started the rebuild. While I was rebuilding a friend offered to have parts chromed, nickel plated and zinc plated. 9 months later I ended up with the behemoth that is the Montero.
I'm asking $3000 or best offer. Here is list of all the noteworthy things that have been done since IÆve own it:
February 2007
ò Block Bored & Honed
ò New Freeze Plugs
ò New Crankshaft
ò New Pistons with Teflon Coating
ò New Oil Pump
ò New Timing Belt & Tensioner
ò New Bearings, Gaskets, Rings & Seals
ò New Crankbolt & Washer
ò Valves & Seats Resurfaced
March 2007
ò New Water Pump
ò New Head Bolts
ò New Timing Belt Cover Gaskets
ò New (2) Engine Mounts
ò New Transmission Mount
ò New Crank Key (Woodruff)
July 2007
ò New Fuel Filter
ò New Air Filter
ò New Spark Plugs
ò New Battery
ò New Starter
ò Installed Center Gauge Cluster
August 2007
ò New Fuel Pump
September 2007
ò New Throttle Position Sensor
October 2007
ò Repaired ECM with Lifetime Warranty
ò New Oxygen Sensor
ò New Fuel Pressure Regulator
ò New Torque Converter with Lockup
ò New Tires & Rims, (5) 15x7 black steelies, (5) Yokohoma Geolander HT-S
November 2007
ò New Front Calipers with Pads
ò New Front Rotors
July 2008
ò Installed Rear Limited-Slip Differential
ò Installed a Modified Third Row from Short-Wheel Based Montero
ò Installed Brush Guard with Off-Road Lamps
ò Installed Euro Front Indicators
November 2008
ò New Rear Brake Shoes
ò New Air Filter
December 2008
ò Installed Trailer Harness
I have also had a lot of parts plated with chrome, electroless nickel and zinc:
Chromed
ò Valve Covers
ò Crank Pulley
ò Crank Bolt & Washer
ò Fan Belt Pulley
Electroless Nickel
ò Both Camshaft Gears
ò Both Exhaust Manifolds
Zinc
ò Most Brackets, Bolts and Misc. Items
A lot of love has gone into this build. However, there are still some things that still need my attention. These are things that I plan on having resolved before purchase is finalized:
ò Needs new instrument cluster as of March 1, 2009
ò Need to clean the power window contacts on front passenger-side
ò 4-wheel shifter wonÆt move when below freezing outside, will shift after you drive around for a couple of minutes. No problems in warm weather.
Little things that I probably wonÆt get around to doing or fixing:
ò The heads get the tappity-tap when the engine is cold or when first starting. Needs new lash adjusters. This was low on my priority list because, from what IÆve researched, there are no long-term effects on the engines functionality or longevity. Cost for parts: (12) at approx. $10-15 ends up at $120-180 depending on where you get them. If you can manage to take the valve covers off youÆll find fixing these guys to be an easy fix.
ò Air-Conditioning isnÆt functional. I never saw the purpose in fixing this on the Montero since it hinders the vehicles performance. To get this functional youÆd need to convert the system to R134a and then get the system charged. Most mechanic shops will do this and you could probably get a good deal if you had someone competing for your business.
ò There is an aftermarket cruise control system that sits under the hood but isnÆt hooked up. I have all the required steering column accessories if you find that you want to install it.
ò The oil pressure gauge on the center gauge cluster gives a faulty reading. The oil pressure sender needs to be replaced to fix this. Cost to replace new is $30-40.
ò Cracked windshield. Rock chip on drivers-side at far bottom with crack spreading along base and up. DoesnÆt obstruct view. I don't have comprehensive coverage. I called and got a quote for $246.
Here is a list of all cosmetic Imperfections:
ò Clear coat has peeled off portion of driver-side of hood and driver-side fender.
ò Dent under driver door from mound of dirt when four-wheeling. DoesnÆt hinder opening of door.
ò Rear bumper is bent a little from four-wheeling.
ò Front passenger-seat bottom has about 3-inch opening where stitching came undone. This happened in the month of February 2009.
ò Center console lid catch is broken. This is very prone to breaking. IÆve replace this at least three times from pieces IÆve found at the junkyard. ItÆs a cheaply made plastic part.
ò Cargo area has cuts in carpet where third-row seat hardware mounts.
ò There are some small indentations on the roof that align in a straight line. They were there when I bought it.
With all the times I went to the junkyard I found things that I thought about using and never got around to implementing. Or just picked up something I wanted more than one of. HereÆs a list of junkyard finds and extras:
ò IÆve got the majority of an OEM cruise control system, including the steering column controls, main servo motor and wiring.
ò An extra center instrument cluster.
ò An extra windshield washer reservoir with motor.
ò An extra mass airflow sensor unit.
IÆve driven it from Denver to Phoenix round-trip once and Denver to Salt Lake City twice with no problems. I donÆt use it as a daily-driver but do drive it at least once a week or when the roads have snow on them.
PM me or respond to my craigslist listing.
Here are some answers to questions I've been asked:
ò The tires are 31x10.5x15, which is bigger than factory but there is no rubbing anywhere. I put these tires on because I like the way they fill the void in the wheel wells.
ò There is no lift but the front torsion bars have been cranked. That brought the front end up about 1 1/2 inches. It also made it a stiffer ride.
ò I haven't done any thing to the suspension since I've had it. It's all factory.
ò The exhaust is factory and it's all intact.
ò The emissions report was done in November 2007 which it passed with flying colors. I wasn't required to get a test in 2008 but the Montero is still registered.
ò It'll hold 80 no problem. I've never tried to take it past 85.
ò It has a clean title.
Pictures of Montero
