Vitara tidy up

[cbfb]

Not much of a project compared to what most of you get up to, but with my limited abilities it's a bit of a challenge for me anyway. Thought the photos might be of interest to someone.

Bought this truck a couple of months ago, looked pretty tidy when I test drove it, no sign of any problems, but after driving it for about 200km it quickly became apparent that the head gasket had gone

Ah well, what else could I do than start ripping into it! Was just going to do the head gasket and have done with it, but there's a bit of rust around so thought I'd have the front end off and the front wings, maybe the bonnet and paint everything up with POR15. Already fishoiled the chassis which i plan to do every 6 months anyway. There's no carpets inside, plan to paint the floor. Also want to weld up a cargo screen (there's a rollcage in there already). Back seats are gone already. Few other bits of paint here and there and she'll be sweet. Oh and want to fit a compressor off the a/c pump.

Will post some more it's a bit late now but here's some pics of how she started:





And after a bit of fun yesterday evening:

[lincooln]

I really like the look of those square headlights. More eighties like

[cbfb]

I really like the look of those square headlights. More eighties like

Yeah they're neat aren't they. Wasn't me that put them on, it came with them but I like them.

The passenger side on has fogged over need to find a replacement lens for it not sure where I'd get one though.

[lincooln]

look like old Datsun ute lenses

[Cameron]

just standard ol' 165x100? inserts/sealed beams. if you can remove the bulb means it's an insert. about $40 from any auto electrical place. sealed beams should be cheaper again. easy!

[cbfb]

just standard ol' 165x100? inserts/sealed beams. if you can remove the bulb means it's an insert. about $40 from any auto electrical place. sealed beams should be cheaper again. easy!

All good, thanks man bit dark and wet right now will check tomorrow.

[cbfb]

Gorgeous day here in Woodville, was gonna go watch the Dannevirke Car Club's autocross but didn't get the Galant's coolant/thermostat done in time so spent the rest of the day working on the truck instead.

Got some more done today.



Close-up of the engine bay with the head off.


Going to take the head in to Motor Machinists tomorrow, will get them to check it and mill if necessary.


Bits!




Found loads of oil/gunk/swamp crap collected at the bottom of the bell housing. Most of it was above the serial number in the photo where the indent about the size of a dollar coin is. Doesn't look like it has come from anywhere around the head, bit of a mystery. Have degreased it so I can keep an eye on it, but anyone got any suggestions for what to check?


This is the dodgy headlight. If anyone has a 2nd hand one or a contact for a cheap replacement please get in touch.

just standard ol' 165x100? inserts/sealed beams. if you can remove the bulb means it's an insert. about $40 from any auto electrical place. sealed beams should be cheaper again. easy!

Cameron - you can't remove the bulb, it's a sealed unit. Any ideas about that? Cheers

[Cameron]

oh, yep that's a sealed beam.
once you've been to motor machs in palmy slip down to the other end of taonui street and go to BNT. they'll likely have one on the shelf. just take it with you in case they don't quite get what you're after.

[cbfb]

oh, yep that's a sealed beam.
once you've been to motor machs in palmy slip down to the other end of taonui street and go to BNT. they'll likely have one on the shelf. just take it with you in case they don't quite get what you're after.

Cheers man, will pop into BNT tomorrow. Not been in there before.

[cbfb]

Engineer tells me the G16A 16V heads are prone to cracking around the cam journals so it's getting pressure tested today.

oh, yep that's a sealed beam.
once you've been to motor machs in palmy slip down to the other end of taonui street and go to BNT. they'll likely have one on the shelf. just take it with you in case they don't quite get what you're after.

Got one from Motor Machinists in the end on order, around 16 bucks.

[WRNGLR]

Greg here Chris , left a message re: motor pick up on other thread txt or call 0272560470 , if not sorted yet I got a trailer, am in Ashhurst

[cbfb]

Greg here Chris , left a message re: motor pick up on other thread txt or call 0272560470 , if not sorted yet I got a trailer, am in Ashhurst

Hey Greg, cheers man, have posted on the other thread will be in touch.

Head ended up having a crack so gonna chuck a new engine in, bit of bad luck, been advised that would be easier than trying to source a new head and swapping it out.

[cbfb]

One of the guys in the club found a new engine for me (not sure if George is on here but thanks if you are). WRNGLR kindly picked it up and brought it over the saddle for me so thanks for that. Nice that the club guys have been so helpful with the problems I've had (I'm no mechanic and new to 4wding and only been in the club a few months). Hope I can repay the favours one day.

Anyway this engine had been for a swim, got a bit worried when I saw some moisture on the dipstick but after draining the oil am pretty confident it was just condensation, the oil was dirty but no sign of moisture at all.

Engine needs a tidy up, good that I've got heaps of spare parts though, ask if there's anything you need I might not be using it.

[tomsoffroad]

Well done fella. None of us know what we are doing really. But thats how you get experience.

[SP450andLE]

Well done fella. None of us know what we are doing really. But thats how you get experience.

Well said.

So it's now my Sig.

[WRNGLR]

[quote="cbfb"]One of the guys in the club found a new engine for me (not sure if George is on here but thanks if you are). WRNGLR kindly picked it up and brought it over the saddle for me so thanks for that. Nice that the club guys have been so helpful with the problems I've had (I'm no mechanic and new to 4wding and only been in the club a few months). Hope I can repay the favours one day.

Pleasure to help mate , we all know too well what it's like to have a truck ya can't go out in cause it's broke, any further assistance needed don't hesitate to ask.

[cbfb]

Cheers for the encouragement all!

WRNGLR thanks, will do.

Will let you know how I get on.

[WRNGLR]

Whats the latest Chris, hows the install going bud ??

[cbfb]

Whats the latest Chris, hows the install going bud ??

Hey, having problems with the old block, it won't crank over. Head looks OK though so sometime this weekend am gonna take the new head off and stick it on the old block. It will actually be easier for me to do this than swap the engines as I've no way of hoisting them unless I buy a hoist, can't find one to borrow. And been advised by a builder mate not to hoist off my garage joists.

Should really get the new head pressure tested but not decided yet, more money. Also looking for a valve spring compressor you don't have one do you? Want to check the valves are all straight as it had water in the bores.

But not much news, been busy with other stuff this week and some emergency plumbing which I don't want to talk about ha ha!

[WRNGLR]

bugger , it's never ending aye mate , sorry no spring compressor here, will put the word out and see if I can track one down for ya, Redz Driver might be best bet, will txt him and get back to ya

[cbfb]

bugger , it's never ending aye mate , sorry no spring compressor here, will put the word out and see if I can track one down for ya, Redz Driver might be best bet, will txt him and get back to ya

That would be awesome if you could, if not will get a cheapie off TM but it's another delay!! Thankfully the bike is running awesome now so been using that.