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| The $350 1992 Metro rebuild; Testbed for MPG mods | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 18 2010, 01:38 AM (9,567 Views) | |
| Jim-Bob | Nov 18 2010, 01:38 AM Post #1 |
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Junkyard Engineer
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Well, I am new here, but not at all new to cars. I bought my Metro from an ad on Craigslist that stated it was a parts car and I only paid $350 for it-including towing to my house. It runs as of now, but it was leaking oil and water pretty badly when I looked at it, and the engine is only running on 2 cylinders. The body, interior and suspension though were in pretty good shape so I decided it was worth using it as a basis for my new pizza delivery car. The body has but three small dings and lacquer checked paint to keep it from being damn near perfect, something hard to find in a car that was usually beaten as badly as the Metro was. Even the dash pad is in good condition, but the dash will probably get dyed as it has some ugly spots on the hard plastic section. The windows were tinted when I got it and it had an AAA sticker on the bumper so it was probably owned by an older or elderly person since new ( judging by where I got it, that is very likely). The struts all seem good and the suspension and steering both check out. The tires are also quite serviceable and the rears appear new and will likely be swapped to the front. The power brakes don't seem to work though, so I guess I will have to attend to that. As for options, it's a middle of the range model with A/C, folding back seat, and an automatic transmission. It also has a working aftermarket AM/FM radio with no cassette or CD player. I don't think I have ever seen something like that before! One of the most annoying things is the exhaust. It looks like it was replaced recently, but sadly the shop that had it chopped the catalytic converter out of the exhaust and didn't replace it with anything. This makes the car VERY loud and as my neighbors have an infant I am reluctant to start it ( I may just add a piece of flex pipe between the sections to quiet it down for driving it around the yard). I am guessing this is a symptom of what hurt the engine as it likely got plugged due to a bad O2 sensor which caused excess backpressure and burnt the valve. Well... it's a theory... What I plan to do: Basically, the car will be rebuilt and improved with fuel economy, handling, comfort and appearance being addressed. Right now, I have started searching for a 5 speed parts car, preferably a wreck with a good 3 cylinder engine too. I would prefer a second generation car so that I could get the bigger brakes, 13 in wheels, speedometer calibration gear matched to those wheels, sway bars and 134a A/C parts from the newer model. I would also like to find a driver's seat with less wear on it as mine is not in bad shape, but it has seen better days. The body will get it's checked paint sanded down, the dings fixed, the trim and lights will be removed and then it will get a fresh coat of white paint. I haven't decided if I am going to shoot it myself like I have all my other cars or ship it off to a quickie paint place like Maaco for the top coat. Parts needed: G10 engine 5 speed conversion Passenger's door mirror Spare tire Jacking tools retention bolt Hatch struts Hood prop rod Black dash trim panel around A/C switch and center vents Timing belt, gasket and seal kit, and water pump for replacement engine 4 cylinder automatic radiator New belts and hoses-including fuel lines and brake hoses Downpipe with catalyst At any rate, here are some pictures I took today-the first day I have owned the car. I basically worked on cleaning up the grease-ball engine bay to get it to the point that I could work on it. Once the engine is out I plan to clean and detail it further so that it shines like new when it is all put together. As I always like to say, a clean engine is a happy engine. It's up on ramps to make it easier to clean the underside. The thing had so much "British rustproofing" underneath that you'd swear it was a Mini and not a Suzuki! ![]() ![]() The blue Cutlass in the background was the last car I painted. ![]() ![]() ![]() engine after 2 cans of degreaser the night before ![]() The engine after 2 more cans of degreaser, a pressure washer, and a rag with Simple Green to clean the dirt out of the paint. ![]() The car's current resting place in my back yard next to the pool. The car is parked on a tarp to minimize the possibility of condensation from the ground rusting the underside of the car should it sit there for a long time. No sense ruining a rust and accident free shell! The tarp was my neighbor's idea. He's the only person I have ever known who owns a car with an engine smaller than the one in a Metro. The car is a 1973 Fiat 850 Spyder that uses a longitudinal inline 4 that shoots out the back of the car (like a Fiat 500) and displaces 850cc's. We rebuilt it years ago, but it never works right. Then again, it's old, Italian and he rescued it from the crusher at a junkyard he deals with. He also has a 50cc Garelli moped that he got from the same place-also for free. We got that running last year but have yet to get around to doing the wheel bearings and brakes. Edited by Jim-Bob, Jan 17 2011, 03:29 AM.
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| Rooy | Nov 18 2010, 03:46 AM Post #2 |
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I'm curious to see how your auto to manual conversion goes. Don't know if there's anyone here that has done it. Btw, if your neighbor is looking for a good Fiat forum for help with his 850, check out Mirafiori.com. Lots of knowledgeable Fiat folks there. |
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| Jim-Bob | Nov 18 2010, 04:06 AM Post #3 |
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Junkyard Engineer
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Sadly, he's not that computer literate. I am not sure he even has a computer anymore as his crashed and he has me search for him. He's in his mid 60's and a bit old fashioned in how he sees the world. However, I will look that up and bookmark it for him so that I can get his questions answered. It's kinda funny how we are 30 years apart in age and worlds away politically, but we always end up teaching each other something! As for the conversion, I just researched it a little more on here and elsewhere and I may end up passing on it. I found another thread about how to check the shift solenoids and just got done with it a few minutes ago ( Yeah, I can't sleep so I did it at 4am with a flashlight). It seems the solenoids work, but the transmission controller is not telling them to actuate. I will have to check the wiring further tomorrow to see if it's the controller itself or something that feeds data or power to it. If I can get it to work, I will probably put off the swap until later and just tear into the engine instead. It will probably be cheaper than getting into a donor vehicle-unless one comes available for the same money I spent for this one. My neighbor seems to think the engine sounds like it has a stuck valve, which is possible as the car did sit for a while. I hope he is right, but I tend to think it will be a bit more than that. There is too much aluminum oxide in the radiator for it to have been run on anti-freeze, and the anti-freeze I saw in the cam section of the head makes me think the worst ( as does the fully failed water pump seal and 2 gallon jugs of water in the front seat). I'll just have to see when I tear it down. For now, I plan to get the transmission working and then decide on what to do about the engine. Edited by Jim-Bob, Nov 18 2010, 04:19 AM.
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| billy508 | Nov 18 2010, 07:41 AM Post #4 |
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billy508
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Welcome. Looks like you have a nice Geo to play with, Be sure to stay around and keep us posted on your progress. I could not help but notice your lawn mover. I have the same pull handle. Must be a Florida thing.
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| Johnny Mullet | Nov 18 2010, 07:41 AM Post #5 |
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Fear the Mullet
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The power brakes are not working because the large vacuum line to the booster is probably plugged with carbon like the rest of the engine. Nice looking car
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| c140flyer | Nov 18 2010, 08:57 AM Post #6 |
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I have a '92 as well. The original brakes were in decent shape, but made with smaller rotors and calipers. They were marginal. As a matter of fact, they acted like there was no power assist at all. I converted them over to the post '95 ones (along with the 13" wheels) and it made all the difference in the world. You seem like the kind of guy that isn't afraid to take on a project like that. There's a tutorial in the "how to" section that decribes the procedure. Just a thought if cleaning out that vacuum line doesn't bring you the desired results. Larry |
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| Coche Blanco | Nov 18 2010, 09:20 AM Post #7 |
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Troll Certified
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For optimal mileage, you'd want the 5 speed. |
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| vigman | Nov 18 2010, 09:53 AM Post #8 |
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New Member
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I am actually doing an auto to manual conversion in a 97 lsi that I'm almost done with, its not that hard but its a pain. And it would probably be easier for you because you have a 3cyl. |
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| mcmancuso | Nov 18 2010, 09:54 AM Post #9 |
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by the spray of oil on the hood, I can tell you that its got a leaking cam or crank seal, and probably a clogged PCV, that's what usually causes those to leak. My '99 had the same look to it, new seals took care of it good luck, you'll find its really easy to work on.
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| bogs | Nov 18 2010, 11:52 AM Post #10 |
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Duct tape heals all wounds
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Nice looker, welcome to the forums
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| Jim-Bob | Nov 18 2010, 12:26 PM Post #11 |
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Junkyard Engineer
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Yeah, that lawnmower is a hybrid of sorts. I had garbage picked one during a delivery that ran but looked like crap. My parents had the same mower that was in good shape but didn't run. Between the two of them I made one good mower that has a rear bagger, 6.5hp, and front wheel drive for less than $20 in parts! |
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| Jim-Bob | Nov 18 2010, 12:31 PM Post #12 |
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Junkyard Engineer
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Agreed, but I want to do it with a complete parts car and I really don't have room for it right now ( although I am not going to refuse one for the right price either...). I am planning to get rid of one or both of my V8 cars in the coming months as I don't have the money to keep them and letting them sit and deteriorate seems like a waste of money. Once that is done I will do the swap. Then again, I may find that I can't make the auto shift and if that is the case then the Metro will have to wait until I find a car to strip. I'm trying to not let my house look like Fred Sanford lives there again as I just finished getting rid of a lot of crap. Besides, I don't really need 4 vehicles as a single guy living in a small tract house in the suburbs. Code enforcement can be a real cruel master sometimes... |
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| Jim-Bob | Nov 18 2010, 05:10 PM Post #13 |
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Junkyard Engineer
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Today i pulled the seats and consoles to clean them. I still have to finish getting the carpet out tomorrow, but once I do I think it should all clean up pretty nicely with some Simple Green, a garden hose and a shop vac. I'll post pics later tonight as I know everyone likes to see pics in this sort of thread! |
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| Jim-Bob | Nov 18 2010, 05:12 PM Post #14 |
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Junkyard Engineer
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I checked on it, and it seems you're right! I pulled the vacuum line to the booster, started the engine and there was almost no vacuum. I guess I'll have to fix that too when the engine comes out in another week or so. I would do it sooner, but I have jury duty next week and don't know how long that is gonna take me. I figure there's no reason to immobilize the car if I am not gonna be able to work on it. |
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| convertible | Nov 18 2010, 07:07 PM Post #15 |
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Welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy. |
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