Hello all
Our '90 323 was my wife's first car which she drove for many years since new. Since then she 'disowned' it and moved on to bigger and better rides. But being a weekend wrench monkey I could not let the old 323 to slip into oblivion especially with $5 gas over horizon. With that in mind I had to bring some reliability, and driveability back to the old 'girl'.
It is not much (my wife constantly tells me that it will never be a MBZ!)- it is a base 1.6L 323 with automatic (aghg), AC that still works, PS and PB are fully functional as well. All would have been well, but it was leaking engine oil all over the place. It took almost 2 month (limited to few hours on weekends to chase the leak down) - only to find that a cam seal that was sucked into the head. As a result of this detective work, new oil pump, water pump, oil pan seals (RTV gasket and half moon seals), exhaust manifold gaskets, fixing busted exhaust manifold stud, new O2 sensor, timing belt, drive belts and lower rad hose she was back on the road. In the process I took almost 50 digital snap shots and documented this job.
After all this engine work suspension was showing its age as OEM struts have given their best over 18 years of service. Next on tap, for the next couple weekends, is to replace struts and strut mounts on all four corners. New KYB GR2 units are already on hand. The only thing that I am short of to complete this job strut thrust bushing B455-34-38XB. Lucky for me local NAPA store has equivalent replacement part. In addition to struts, lower control ball joints, CV shafts and transaxle seals will be R&R as well. That should tighten the 'knees' on the old girl.
To augment all this suspension work OEM 155/80R13 must go. Last weekend I scored a set of OEM 14x7 rims of '95 Kia from a local pyp JY. JY Kia had 195/60R14 tires mounted, which appear to be just a hair to wide - tire rubs on a gas tank filler protective cover (rear left corner). I had not have a chance to verify front end interference. Based on my measurements these rims sport ET 44 offset. Perhaps going to 185/60R14 would result in slightly narrower overall width and clear all suspension in front? Comments please.
Next will be interior - seats are junk. Plus a OEM GTU steering wheel from '87 RX7 - hopefully it will fit.
//RF
Our '90 323 was my wife's first car which she drove for many years since new. Since then she 'disowned' it and moved on to bigger and better rides. But being a weekend wrench monkey I could not let the old 323 to slip into oblivion especially with $5 gas over horizon. With that in mind I had to bring some reliability, and driveability back to the old 'girl'.
It is not much (my wife constantly tells me that it will never be a MBZ!)- it is a base 1.6L 323 with automatic (aghg), AC that still works, PS and PB are fully functional as well. All would have been well, but it was leaking engine oil all over the place. It took almost 2 month (limited to few hours on weekends to chase the leak down) - only to find that a cam seal that was sucked into the head. As a result of this detective work, new oil pump, water pump, oil pan seals (RTV gasket and half moon seals), exhaust manifold gaskets, fixing busted exhaust manifold stud, new O2 sensor, timing belt, drive belts and lower rad hose she was back on the road. In the process I took almost 50 digital snap shots and documented this job.
After all this engine work suspension was showing its age as OEM struts have given their best over 18 years of service. Next on tap, for the next couple weekends, is to replace struts and strut mounts on all four corners. New KYB GR2 units are already on hand. The only thing that I am short of to complete this job strut thrust bushing B455-34-38XB. Lucky for me local NAPA store has equivalent replacement part. In addition to struts, lower control ball joints, CV shafts and transaxle seals will be R&R as well. That should tighten the 'knees' on the old girl.
To augment all this suspension work OEM 155/80R13 must go. Last weekend I scored a set of OEM 14x7 rims of '95 Kia from a local pyp JY. JY Kia had 195/60R14 tires mounted, which appear to be just a hair to wide - tire rubs on a gas tank filler protective cover (rear left corner). I had not have a chance to verify front end interference. Based on my measurements these rims sport ET 44 offset. Perhaps going to 185/60R14 would result in slightly narrower overall width and clear all suspension in front? Comments please.
Next will be interior - seats are junk. Plus a OEM GTU steering wheel from '87 RX7 - hopefully it will fit.
//RF
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