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1990 Mitsubishi GSX

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Ok, update on the GSX. It for sure is out if time but I guess the DSM Gods said take it apart NOW. No issues, 2 teeth off on exhaust side, all NEW STUFF going in and I will throw up some pics. This car had a funny rattle in the timing cover area that would come and go. The pictures will show you all the leakage of the hydraulic tensioner, which was NOT OEM. I think someone did a timing job and used kit parts. Thats a NO NO on tensioners. I have a new OEM tensioner on and all new Gates pulleys and belts.
Just keeping anyone that is following up to date. I am taking this time to install the HKS 264/272 cams and have the exhaust side ready but haven't done the intake side.
I had to find a needle to bleed those dam 1g lifters and didn't have a set of 3g's laying around like all of the other stuff. SO....
The hydraulic tensioner was so blown out so bad that I could press it in and out with my thumb and forefinger, in, out, in, out. This surely has to be a blessing.
More to come as I go, its cold as a Witches Tit tonight so more pictures of the new balance shaft belt and the crappy aftermarket tensioner this weekend and the cams. (Yes I bled the lifters) :thumb:
ALWAYS use OEM tensioners, regardless of belt choices.
Thanks all, for reading the rant!!!!
M
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New balance shaft belt on along with the new OEM hydraulic tensioner for the timing belt. Getting the cams out and bleeding lifters so I don't have any snags after putting these HKS 264/272's in along with the other "goodies". Hoping all goes smooth as I transition her with these "leftover" parts. (and I do have ONE spare HX40....hmmm).
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I have 12' ceilings, no ceiling in it but that is the height of the rafters. My best friend built his at the same time, same shop but different orientation on his door. He was going 10' high but I mentioned we didn't want to push a car thru the ceiling so he went 12' also. His is spotless, and a party place. Mine is a work area!
It was a "Pole Barn Kit" from the lumber yard for $13,000 plus labor/cement/misc (another 10k).
Here is the lift I have and he has and they work wonderfully. Very minimal assembly, most is pre-assembled. Just secure it to the level floor
https://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/auto-lift-tp9kfx-9k-2-post-floor-plate-car-lift-p/al2-9k-fx.htm
For that price, you almost can't pass it up if you have room.

That is extremely reasonable for a lift... The company I work for owns Rotary Lift brand so I have been watching their scratch and dent deals that are for employees only. On top of scratch and dent discount, we get 50% off. The lift you linked is STILL a touch cheaper... damn!
 
I am VERY happy with the no name lift. It has worked perfectly for me and my buddy. We both got the same lifts too, in case one of us has a problem, the other person has a spare part, like a hose or whatever.
I would say that EVERYONE should have one as soon as they can. I waited until I was 54 to build my shop and buy a lift.
DON'T WAIT!!! :)
 
Its a money issue for me, personally. I am 34 and I just purchased my first house this year, paid double payments on student loans, and paid off all existing credit card debt. Maybe now that I got that stuff on track, I can justify a few upgrades to the workshop! Current garage only has 9.5' cielings, so I would have to do their "low-boy" lift. Not ideal for my 6'+ height, but still WAY better than crawling around under a car...
 
Thought about a portable floor unit?
They lift about 2' maybe but will hold the whole car.
I am blessed with a good job, house paid off, and could retire in February but I'm gonna work longer because divorce takes half of your retirement. I am happier in life than ever though.
 
Ok crowd, here is the LATEST ODDITY (I know, its a DSM).
Soooo, when my son pulled the CAS out when I was changing cams, I had to look twice at it.
See the picture.
The motor is on TDC and all marks were correct down low and off a bit on the exhaust cam only.
Look close.....something isn't right and I spotted it immediately. Mind you all, this car drove around town and I finally drove her into the shop for a timing belt job.
Hmmmm.
Comments???
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Does anybody happen to know what color the oil is inside the OEM tensioners? Is it red? So for example, if it's been leaking recently you might see red stains on the outside of it? I mean, assuming it isn't knee deep in mud like the one up in post #26 LOL
Sometimes it amazes me how bad some of this stuff can get and still work.
 
Yeah.....well the "good" thing is it still felt like a normal 4 cylinder but it's because I have other Steed's in the herd.
The color on that POS looked "stained clear" LOL.
It wasn't an OEM tho to be "clear"...I have to stop... sorry. :tease: :nono: OMG :banghead: :hmm: :idontknow:
:p.
Trying to make light of the whole situation. Thanks guys! :thumb:

Pretty sure that means incorrect injector sequencing right? But will run 180 out bc its waste spark?
It was running, but the funny thing to me was it was running rich. You could smell the richness. I think it was firing the spark before the microsecond injector pulse.
Just a speculation from this end.
IDK how the CAS times all of that or the ECU dependent on it.
Thanks for chiming in!
 
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Oh shit.....it's on the car. I MIGHT be able to see it but it was a fresh Mitsubishi package. The old one was an aftermarket job for sure. I have the tensioner tool still in and I have it perfect to slide the grenade pin in and out. Why? Would the date make a difference on the OEM tensioner?
I plan to put a short video clip of the old one with me pushing the pin in with my thumb and finger, and oil all over it. So thankful I opened it up. i should have it back together today after it gets a bit warmer, its cold here in Kansas this morning so the shop will be cold too.
 
This sure doesn't seem like it is good anymore since I can press it in by hand and its covered in fluid.
 
Would the date make a difference on the OEM tensioner?

Well the tensioner I bought in December 2017 has the date 2015 stamped on it. That worries me. I've been wondering ever since if 2015 was the last year they made these things. (Tensioner for the 6-bolt, MD164533). So I'd love it if somebody could verify a 6-bolt tensioner with a vintage newer than 2015.

Yeah that rod going in so easy looks way wrong to me. The "old" OEM tensioner I took out of my car, which wasn't that old (has the year 2011 stamped on it) is still in pretty decent shape. So I did some fooling around with it just to get acquainted, and I found I had to use a bench vise to push that rod in.
I don't know exactly what is inside one of these things. I've never had one apart. But I imagine a steel spring, and some kind of orifice or valving to control how the fluid acts?

I noticed that your video of the tensioner is on the "DSMtuners" YouTube channel. Wow. I didn't know there was a DSMtuners YouTube channel. Then I looked at the channel and noticed there's only 8 videos on it and the oldest one is only a week ago. Cool, something new!

The prices on the OEM parts do go up just about every time I look. They go up and then they go disco. Bummer!
 
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Well, really, if you don't have some "play" money, these cars are not a good choice.
I am financially ok so its just FUN :D

Well here is the news everyone wanted to know, does the car still run after being 2 teeth out of time on the exhaust???
Well...............
YES IT DOES! I am super happy with the cam change. Fooled around in LINK enuf to get the car idling and driving good. Even partial boost feels amazing and its just a 14b.
Flipped the CAS 180* while I was there. Set base timing and have STFTs within 5% so I really feel like I saved the cars life. Much more and she would have surely bent valves and killed the car.
Patting myself on the back for a JOB WELL DONE :hellyeah:
Stay tuned for the next upgrades. This was just a timing belt job and a cam swap!
Thanks for following! :thumb:
M
 
Well......after fixing ALL the stuff.. she runs good.
New HKS 264/272's, a timing belt job AND putting the CAS into the correct orientation sure helps them run better.
I am just rolling my eyes AGAIN...about previous DSM "mechanics".....but its a good feeling knowing you saved a car that shows over 200k on it.
Enjoy and comment! :thumb:
 
Does anybody happen to know what color the oil is inside the OEM tensioners? Is it red? So for example, if it's been leaking recently you might see red stains on the outside of it? I mean, assuming it isn't knee deep in mud like the one up in post #26 LOL
Sometimes it amazes me how bad some of this stuff can get and still work.
I saw no red stains just clearish fluid on that shitty hydraulic tensioner.
 
The lift is going to have to continue to wait... I bought another dsm today. 96 gsx auto. it has some issues to say the least. pic in vehicle profile! I might actually try to journal my adventure into this mess...
 
Oh thank you for rescuing another jem in the rough!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
You have the eye.....and the BUG!!!
But thats a good thing in my eyes.
:tease: :applause:
:thumb:

Well the tensioner I bought in December 2017 has the date 2015 stamped on it. That worries me. I've been wondering ever since if 2015 was the last year they made these things. (Tensioner for the 6-bolt, MD164533). So I'd love it if somebody could verify a 6-bolt tensioner with a vintage newer than 2015.

Yeah that rod going in so easy looks way wrong to me. The "old" OEM tensioner I took out of my car, which wasn't that old (has the year 2011 stamped on it) is still in pretty decent shape. So I did some fooling around with it just to get acquainted, and I found I had to use a bench vise to push that rod in.
I don't know exactly what is inside one of these things. I've never had one apart. But I imagine a steel spring, and some kind of orifice or valving to control how the fluid acts?

I noticed that your video of the tensioner is on the "DSMtuners" YouTube channel. Wow. I didn't know there was a DSMtuners YouTube channel. Then I looked at the channel and noticed there's only 8 videos on it and the oldest one is only a week ago. Cool, something new!

The prices on the OEM parts do go up just about every time I look. They go up and then they go disco. Bummer!
I have a picture of the date on mine since you brought it up.
Sorry I had forgotten about your question.

Here's the dash with a SS cover. I didn't like it but it kinda grows on you.
I don't know if it is the original dash cluster or not. That's alot of miles on the clock.
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2013? What??
Thanks for the good picture though. I really appreciate it.
When did you buy that one? And who from?
It came with the car. Was bought at least a year ago. Idk where the man got it.
 
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