Congratulations!
Obviously, the first question from everybody is...where are the pictures? I bought a '95 two years ago. Type in your key words into the search engine on the forums home page and you’ll likely find an answer to all of your questions. There are plenty of folks to offer advice and troubleshooting over the phone. I used Chuck Tator (Viper Wizard) for my head gasket replacement guide. He’s extremely experienced and very patient. This is what I’ve learned with mine:
- The factory head gasket will eventually leak. Better check to make sure it has been changed out. The factory one is brown and your block will likely be stained green from weeping antifreeze. If you find out this is the case, better set aside some money and a weekend to replace it.
- Be careful changing the fuel filter. It's temperamental on the removal and installation. My new one popped off while I was trying to start it at work and petrol was pumping out on the pavement...embarrassing.
- A replacement hood will run you $10k, so make sure the accident isn’t your fault (I haven’t had to replace, but I’ve looked into the cost).
- I unplugged my skip shift solenoid (not saying you should) and zip tied the wires to another set of wires down by the gear box. Now I can shift gears without the annoyance of going from 1st to 4th while cruising a parking lot. It doesn’t affect the check engine light. You can also buy a skip shift eliminator.
- It’s low profile, so be weary of speed bumps and you’ll be a lot less stressed if you just accept the fact that you’re going to rub the bottom of your bumper from time to time.
- Tires cost less than a full size pickup.
- Twice or thrice a year you’ll want to adjust the throttle bodies. There is a left and a right and they aren’t mechanically interlocked. With the car TURNED OFF, squeeze the adjusters and pull them toward the windshield. Then sit in the driver’s seat and push the gas pedal all the way to the floor. You should hear the adjusters click.
- You have to completely take the battery off to kill the power (or that’s the only way I could do it). Simply unhooking the “jumper terminals” up by the driver’s side door won’t do it. The battery is behind the driver’s side rear wheel.
- I bought some reusable air filters because the throw away kind were mighty spendy and I could only get them from the manufacturer.
- Plenty of folks on this website that can hook you up with the parts you need at very reasonable prices and will offer all sorts of sound advice.
- Burp tank is basically behind the front passenger tire. If you turn it out and shine a light down, you should be able to see the level. I think there’s some sort of cap on the inner fender well you have to pop out to see the tank.
- My car runs at 225F in the summer…I thought that was running hot, but I’ve been told that it isn't. The red zone is what you need to fear.
- I get a better burnout in 2nd gear…there’s so much torque in 1st that it makes my rear end hop and that’s bad.
- She ***** in the snow.
