Real time help - bolt size on exhaust manifold - USA 4G64?

[IdahoDoug]

So I'm going to go get this van out of the field but I noted the exhaust is only held on with a single nut to the exhaust header. Does anyone know what size bolt I'll need to grab on the way out there? Last thing I want is to end up with the front exhaust dropping down and essentially ending this project before it begins.

Also on a related topic. I can see that the manifold is cracked on the rear as the two cast manifolds come down to the exhaust pipe flange. Is this the usual place they crack? Read somewhere on here they crack but checking if mine is typical. It's about 3" above the exhaust pipe flange on the rear surface and between the "legs" of the two downpipes in the solid web that connects them. It looks fixable because it appears not to be structural, so I can have a buddy who welds simply fill it. Failing that - are they available as a part anywhere.

Thanks in advance. Getting excited.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Are you retrieving a Delica Starwagon out of the field or a Mitsubishi Vanwagon?

[IdahoDoug]

Mitsubishi Van Wagon. 1988 Automatic. I'm going to put 5 gallons of fresh gas in it tomorrow, and a can of HEET in case there is water in the fuel. Not sure if I'll have time to get it tomorrow, so may have a day or two yet. I'll just tighten the remaining one down enough to get home if nobody knows. That is a pretty odd part for someone to know the size, so no biggie.

[Big-Bird]

Here's the number from the 89 Starwagon with the 2.4L engine.

12096 MD000569 NUT, EXHAUST MANIFOLD. Period: 1989.08.1-1993.04.3; Part Spec: 8; Size: 8

Go to a home depot or similar and purchase one of each (course and fine) thread pitch from the M8 M10 and M12 bins. Get a lock and flat washer from each too. These nuts will cover the 12mm-18mm wrench/socket sizes that are the most common for exhaust systems. (Did you happen to notice if the stud was a fine or course thread? Mostly these are course threaded.)

OR

Call a locals parts store and get a nut from a lancer or something a bit newer with a 2.0L or 2.4L engine. The exhaust nuts could very well be the same as your vanwagon.

OR

You could poke around the late 80's and early 90's dodge colts. These have a few legacy parts which fit all kinds of mitsubishi's....especially nuts, bolts, plastic trim clips.

Being in the US you need every angle to get parts cheap and fast.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I'm going to move this thread into Mitsubishi Vanwagon forum so other Vanwagon owners can benefit from your experience. Incidentally, If you go to the L300 Dedicated Category Reference Forum there is an engine manual for the 4G64, perhaps this will help.

Falco.

[teamtestbot]

Get M8 x 1.25 bolts at least 30mm long with matching nut and 2 washers. This should be a hardware store find.
Barring that, 5/16"-18 x 1.25" or greater, same with nuts and washers. Do not use nylock (plastic insert locking nuts) - it's too hot at the header.

[IdahoDoug]

Great tips and info - thank you. So, latest development is I now officially own this Van, having stopped on Friday to pay the rest and get the title. Exciting. It's still there as I had a trip planned to go snowshoeing with my daughter in the VW Vanagon we have. We left an hour later for Glacier Park, Montana. It was fun talking with her about the Mitsu and trying to think of a fun way to prank the rest of the family when revealing it. They don't know about it yet. Woo hoo! Got back from Glacier last night and am trying to find an excuse to go to errands and pour 5 gallons of fresh fuel into it so tomorrow I can try to start it after filling the trans. The temporary patch is holding. I don't even want to admit what I did until I get it home, lest it fail and you all think I'm a moron for trusting it. Heh.

[IdahoDoug]

So, update on the retrieval. Had some nailbiting moments today. I poured a can of HEET in it and 5 gallons of fresh premium non-ethanol gasoline into her. Then I put a charger on it and cranked her a few times fairly short cycles out of respect that the engine has not turned over in a while. I had checked the oil and coolant - fine. The trans predictably had nothing on the stick as it was not running, and I know the pan has been leaking.

Fired up easily when I held the key on, and then idled while I added trans oil until it hit the low mark. I ran out of trans oil at 3 quarts. But it started engaging gears at that point, so I was happy. The engine got up to operating temp and was idling smoothly with the exhaust bellowing.

Then the engine stalled and bad stuff happened. It would not restart, but began backfiring. I pulled the intake off and fired starter spray in it. Still nothing but multiple backfires out the intake. That's a game I knew would end poorly so I quit with the starter spray after 3 attempts. Then I drove my truck over and added its jumper battery to the charger I was using. Same. Crap. I think it jumped a few teeth on the timing belt, and it might be game over - though I've learned since that this is a non-interference engine. Whew.

Didn't know that yet so I pulled the upper timing cover expecting to find an old beat up belt. and confirm my fears. Nope - it actually looks fresh! Hmm. OK, I should check a couple things.

Since I was supposed to be just taking my truck out for a spin to get it warmed (took it out of storage), I was out of time or I'd get busted on this secret purchase. However, I am also stubborn so I thought I'd check out the basics. First the distributor cap. Could they have put it in a more difficult position? Holy crap. I could not get my hands on the latches so I finally slid under it in the muddy field and reached up to release the cap. Pulled the rotor off - center post has corrosion. Flashlight in teeth and I could see moisture inside the cap and the 4 contacts have buildup as well. Hoping for enough improvement to get it to run, I cleaned the rotor on my jeans, and used a screwdriver to clean the center contact and posts in the cap. Noted it had moisture. And 3 cracks. Buttoned it up, and voila! Instantly started and burbled happily with the loud exhaust. So, she needs a tuneup which is part of my baseline anyhow.

I should be able to finally retrieve her Monday or Tuesday and hide her at a buddy's house up the street. There, I will clean the accumulated dirt off the body, scrape the mold off her roof, steam clean and do a quick wax and then pull the prank on my wife. Hopefully some of you will check in, as if I run into a real time issue, I will be needing help.

Thanks!