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CrackedDSM's boring new project (420a)

A 1995 Eagle Talon ESI that I bought for damn near free, that I want to fully rebuild/get running again and use it as a super boring, slow daily driver.
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Funny enough there's a FS ad that popped up in my local FB marketplace that has everything needed to build the engine for a turbo. Lol. Belt, cam gears, crower cams, forged pistons, H-beam rods, etc.


Tempting, but gonna just focus on getting it running for now.
 
Alright, first fix I've done might be obvious given I have now done this on like, four 2Gs that I've owned(not counting others I haven't owned).



Fixed the door handle! I also greased the mechanism and added a spacer bolt between the arm and the lever...so now it opens if you breathe on it. And it's smoooooooth. Stoked.


Next up I have to get the ignition lock cylinder out with no key to replace it with the one I bought from performance partout that has a key.

So totally stoked for that /sarcasm. :p

But yeah, first fix is in and I feel good about it. I think I might've scored a good engine and transmission for $200 locally too, but wanna wait to verify it first before posting pictures and such.
 
Alright, second fix to the car is in the books and boy...did this one absolutely whip my ass. It put up a great fight, but I won in the end.


Backstory: The car came with no key. The seller couldn't find it, the previous owner who sold the car to this guy I bought it from said they put the key in the trunk...it's gone. Vanished. I waited a few days, and considered a locksmith, but I need to car registered to me first before they'll do it. And I can't register it without insurance, and I'm not tagging/insuring a vehicle that's just gonna sit here.

So, enter John Hanlon/Performance Partout. I wanted to buy a complete key set, but they only had the ignition, which is better than nothing. So I bought that, and had it shipped to me. I started researching on how to remove the lock cylinder without a key, and found a promising youtube video where an indian dude was saying some models it just needs to be in "lock" and not "accessories". I hoped...against hope that might would be that way.

It wasn't. It needs to be in accessories mode. Before I even touched the car, Solomon/ @BLACK'98DSM told me just to use a punch and unscrew the bolts and pull the whole housing off. I should've listened to him, but I didn't.

First I tried punching the little button on the bottom because maybe I could do that...hahahahahahaha, no. That thing is ridiculously hardened and laughed off my attempts.

Secondly...I tried the drill. Google said drill it, so did a few people here when I searched so I tried...again, it laughed off my attempts. WTF, is this thing made of? Is it indestructible? Finally after almost giving up, I dropped the housing like Solomon said...this made the job an absolute breeze. It still resisted me, but eventually it popped out and now I have an undamaged housing that's ready for a new lock cylinder and key. This is what was left behind...

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This was the lock cylinder. I am tempted to frame it out of respect for it's wherewithal.

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Honestly, this is the second time I have had to do this. I think if I ever am cursed with doing this a third time, I'm immediately dropping the housing and just either buying a bare one on the webs, or do what I did in the beginning. Punching the little button out is the play, the problem is my punch was too small and kept mushrooming the button. On a bench, in a vise, with a perfect punch I could have it out without a key in probably 15 mins, including removing the housing from the steering column. But regardless, here's victory! Still need to clean it a bit.

IMG_9250.jpeg


God these cars are fighters, man. But, yeah.

Also: I have confirmed it's the transmission I need and the proper engine. The engine picture is lame because I bagged it up immediately...but behold the dirtiness!

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The transmission is dirty because the OG owner threw two rods through the bolt on a big turbo setup. So I plan to clean it up, paint it, and reseal everything that has a seal on it. Make it shiny new.

Here's the bag of 420a. :p

IMG_9247.jpeg


Stay tuned fellas. Hopefully it'll start coming along soon now. Can I just say, god the 420a is a heavy engine to move and lift by yourself.
 
Yay! working door handles are great. That's the only thing I've really worked on my car myself, and I've done it 3 times (not counting the other 2 times I've paid someone else to deal with it). Takes me 8 hours just to do one, and I think I spend most of that time swearing and stomping my feet. I bet you got it done in barely one hour.
Look at all that caked on oil. I bet mine's just as bad, with all the leaks I've had over the years.

That key situation seemed like quite a challenge, I commend your upbeat attitude through all this. seems like a requirement when fiddling with cars, I don't have the patience for it.
 
Woohoo! Progress!

Keeping my eyes peeled for the next updates :D
 
God these cars are hard to find parts for. I thought turbo DSMs were hard to find parts for, but the 420a is next level.


If anyone has a line on a used clutch fork for the 2G 420a please send it my way. I just can't swallow dishing out $75 for a new one.
 
jesse12345 said:
How about this?

ebay.us

1995-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse 420A clutch fork metal manual transmission part D46 | eBay

1995 187K 420A White/Gray Rusty. THIS MAY NOT HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED. LOOK AT THE PICTURES AND SEE IF IT DOES HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED. THIS IS JUST WHAT WE PULLED OFF THE CAR.
ebay.us
Click to expand...


My issue with that seller is he's shady AF with his prices. Look at some of the "shipping costs" on some of his items. He has a PS pump for $29 but shipping for $70 extra. Even at 35% off current sale price with that shift fork, it ends up being like $65 after taxes and etc for a used fork. I can get a brand new MOPAR fork for $75 shipped/taxes included.

On principal alone I hate guys that list something for a low price to get you to click, then tack on the rest of what they want for it as "Shipping costs".
 
Smart man! :thumb:
 
Got an email from RockAuto that they restocked the MOPAR clutch fork for the PT Cruiser. Ordered it and got it basically for the same price as what the guy wanted for a used fork. Comes with new pivot ball too. Score.

Now just need to order a clutch, and find a power steering pump w/ pulley and we're in business.


Edit - decided to pull the trigger on a new clutch for it. That way I can assemble the car and throw the engine in it at least while I wait to find a power steering pump. I guess worst case scenario I can delete the PS pump and drive it manual rack for awhile. Bleh.

Either way, cautiously excited.
 
Last edited:
Ridiculous how much I had to pay for this $20 piece of metal. LOL.

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But it’s OEM mopar so that’s cool. Clutch should be in soon, and I’ve got the axle seals brand new that I need.

Now I just need to find a 95-96 VSS and I’m in business. Hope to get the transmission mounted asap and then the engine once I can afford a cherry picker/hoist.
 
I got a cherry picker that was only used once from Facepoop Marketplace for $50. Keep a close eye out.

Or you could just bring the car and all the parts to me and I'll return it in perfect working order LOL. Seriously though I'm dying to get my hands dirty on one of these again. I feel like I have so much wasted knowledge and experience.
 
BLACK'98DSM said:
I got a cherry picker that was only used once from Facepoop Marketplace for $50. Keep a close eye out.

Or you could just bring the car and all the parts to me and I'll return it in perfect working order LOL. Seriously though I'm dying to get my hands dirty on one of these again. I feel like I have so much wasted knowledge and experience.
Click to expand...


Don’t tempt me! I am so lost on this thing because I’ve never even touched a 420a before. But I’m determined to have another project and see it to completion. More stuff to learn and I’m stoked to see if any skills the AMS talon gave me apply to other cars. I hope so.

I’m kinda excited to drive it. Even if it’s just a N/T.

Also NGL I’ve begun to daydream about turboing it far in the future and enjoying a little 300whp daily.
 
Christo said:
Hey man, I have a cherry picker that is just chilling and collecting dust as they do. Over in Foley, you are more then welcome to borrow it. Let me know.
Click to expand...


Gonna take you up on that. That’s awesome.
 
Legit about to pay $85 for a used power steering pump just to have the pulley. Lol.


If someone has one and wants to make money, I'll pay for it. I don't expect it for free.

In the meantime, still waiting on the clutch. They waited 3 days to drop it off to USPS so now it's not coming until Monday. Lame. Soon as it's here though and I get freetime, gonna snag the cherry picker from my buddy, the man, the myth, the legend @Christo and toss this engine/trans in. Wanna drive this thing already.

420a liiiiiife I guess. LOL.
 
CrackedDSM said:
Legit about to pay $85 for a used power steering pump just to have the pulley. Lol.


If someone has one and wants to make money, I'll pay for it. I don't expect it for free.

In the meantime, still waiting on the clutch. They waited 3 days to drop it off to USPS so now it's not coming until Monday. Lame. Soon as it's here though and I get freetime, gonna snag the cherry picker from my buddy, the man, the myth, the legend @Christo and toss this engine/trans in. Wanna drive this thing already.

420a liiiiiife I guess. LOL.
Click to expand...
One of my local junkyards just got a 420a car in and I’m gonna go to grab some interior trim parts. If you want to wait till mid week i can try and see if it’s still there. Need any other 420a parts just let me know and if it’s simple enough to pull off i’ll grab it for ya.
 
kyler021 said:
One of my local junkyards just got a 420a car in and I’m gonna go to grab some interior trim parts. If you want to wait till mid week i can try and see if it’s still there. Need any other 420a parts just let me know and if it’s simple enough to pull off i’ll grab it for ya.
Click to expand...

Hell yeah I do. Lmao. If it’s a 95-96 car pull the vss/speed sensor for me(if it’s manual). But even just the PS pump is a god send.
 
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