1G 1989 Colt 4wd wagon - what am I getting myself into?

poomwah · Jul 26, 2014

Later today I am going to test drive an 89 colt wagon. I know, it's not like what you guys run, but, call me crazy, I like it. I saw it today but the owner wasn't home. I'm supposed to meet him at noon tomorrow.
He said he will take 500 for it, which around here, if you can find something that isn't rusted all to @#$ for under a grand you are doing great.
It is a 4wd with a 5 speed.
The body is very solid, the interior is a bit rough. And of course, a 500 dollar car has issues. He said it smokes a bit, especially when you start it. I figure for now I'd throw a set of valve seals in it (along with the other basic things, plugs, wires, air and oil filters, fluids, timing belt and tensioner, etc).
He said it runs well unless you go over 40 mph, then it "randomly dies". Said he replaced the fuel pump with no effect.
What would you suggest I look into as far as the not being able to go over 40?
I'm hoping its not a terrible idea to get the car, because I doubt I'll get many, if any responses to this before I go to look at it. So if anyone tries to warn me off, it will probably be too late.
Also, does anyone know of a good source of information on 4wd colts, I can't seem to find a whole lot about them.
Thanks everybody

TimIacobucci · Aug 16, 2014

Is it the twin stick transfer? Sounds like it was a real truck style 4wd setup. That's pretty cool, I've never seen one of those.

poomwah · Aug 16, 2014

thanks Tim! That's what my rear suspension looks like .
I took your advice and started asking around about wheel straightening and wound up getting a LOT of confused people that thought I was an idiot for even asking.
I found some brand new 15 inch konig's about an hour away for 250 bucks. They are the right bolt pattern and REALLY close to the same offset.
Bad part is, I JUST put almost new 14's on my wheels.

I've got a gasoline smell now, I can't find anything leaking so I'm guessing it's from the top of the tank.
But on a good note, it's still running great, and I got the body work done yesterday, and bedlined the rocker panels. All that's left is a little more block sanding and she's ready for paint :]
I still haven't decided for sure what color its going to be.

poomwah · Aug 19, 2014

got some body work done

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mitsubishikid · Aug 21, 2014

The fuel smell could be from corroded old gas lines,just replace em with new fuel line from the auto parts stores, it might also be wise to replace all your under hood vacuum lines at the same time, since it does not cost much at all, and they could pose issues in the future.

poomwah · Aug 22, 2014

thanks kid, I'l go ahead and replace them. The smell seems to be coming from the back, so I'm guessing either the lines at the top of the tank, something with the filler neck, or the top of the tank itself.
But while I'm at it I'll do fuel lines and vacuum lines like you suggested.
I haven't been driving it lately because of the bent rim and lack of a spare. I'm still trying to find some wheels for it. I can't find any locally. The only thing I've found online in that bolt pattern and offset are either really expensive, really ugly (don't want to rice out an 89 colt) or both.

TimIacobucci · Aug 24, 2014

That's what you get for living out in Ohio I guess. Haha, I'm joking of course but I could definitely have it straightened in a day here though. I like it, I almost wish that was the type I had purchased, it's a bolt in swap for the dsm transmissions and already built with a live axle.

The km transmissions have no center diff, mine is I think the only full time 4wd car I've personally ever seen before. There is a provision in my transmission I believe like mitsubishikid said for a twinstick setup. Look at part # 20 and 21 in this diagram,

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1989SwagWagon · Jan 16, 2018

I don't know if anyone will see this, but I currently own poomwah's old car. I know of 2 places that it was leaking. The 2 lines broke in half right where they go into the top of the tank. The tank also has a spot in it where it looks like someone tried to braze it shut at one point or another. When trying to remove the pump assembly the 4 or 5 bolts that hold it to the tank snapped off. The question 2 questions I have are 1. Does anybody know where I can get a tank for one of these? all the tanks I have seen are shaped different. I don't know if one of the ones I have seen on the internet would have the same bolt pattern or not. 2. Does anyone know where I could get a new fuel pump assembly? I have looked for both of these things, but have come up empty handed. The only thing I could find was tanks and assembly for a Plymouth colt hatchback and both are completely different than my car. I hope someone can find something, the car is sitting with the tank out of it right now. I really miss driving this car and want to get it back on the road again.

1990TSIAWDTALON · Jan 16, 2018

Look like this or have you already checked RockAuto??

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Vegas Smith · Jan 16, 2018

Sounds like it's time for a custom fuel cell.

2gmitsueclipse · Jan 16, 2018

1990TSIAWDTALON said:
Look like this or have you already checked RockAuto??
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That looks nearly identical to the 3g Colt fuel tank.

1989SwagWagon · Jan 16, 2018

1990TSIAWDTALON- that's the one I'm wondering if the bolt pattern would be the same or not. The filler neck hole I think is on the wrong side also.

Vegas- I have thought about doing that also. Is there a way to do that without cutting a hole in the hatch area?

Vegas Smith · Jan 16, 2018

1989SwagWagon said:
1990TSIAWDTALON- that's the one I'm wondering if the bolt pattern would be the same or not. The filler neck hole I think is on the wrong side also.

Vegas- I have thought about doing that also. Is there a way to do that without cutting a hole in the hatch area?

I've never ran a fuel cell but most fuel cells are just boxes. I'm sure you could make a little bracket and bolt it right into the back.

1989SwagWagon · Jan 18, 2018

The problem with that is I really don't want to put it in the hatch area if at all possible. I dont want to have to open the hatch everytime to put gas in it. I would really like to be able to use the space back there. I hope I'll be able to find something that will work, or get the one that I have fixed.

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1G 1989 Colt 4wd wagon - what am I getting myself into?

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