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Thread: Used TIII buyers checklist...

  1. #1
    Garrett booster
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    Used TIII buyers checklist...

    I'm looking at buying a '91 Spirit R/T - what do I look for and what do I ask about?
    State even the obvious in order to get as complete a list as possible (may be helpful for newbies in the future).

  2. #2
    Admin- "Alexandria" Ken... Comes W/4 Car Garage Turbo Mopar Staff GLHSKEN's Avatar
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    Head... Check for cracks around the coolant plugs near the spark plugs. They are steel in an aluminum head.. They need to be questioned
    Ken Adler....
    Cars, A few (9)

  3. #3
    Garrett booster
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    look for coolant spray around the rear drivers side corner of head

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    Hybrid booster
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    It seems the center core plug hole cracks towards the #3 spark plug. It may look wet with coolant without any evidence of a crack. I found it by spraying the area out with brake cleaner and drying it out with compressed air. The coolant spray problem may not be bad, as long as they didn't overheat it. But it will need either a Cometic HG, or weld it up and use a regular HG. And if you find alot of white residue in the radiator, or overflow bottle, the exhaust ports are probably very corroded from no one changing the coolant for a long time. I would say to pull the VC's and check the cams for missing pieces on the lobes, but it depends if you want to go that far. Other then that, I would just see if the car has been maintained or not.

  5. #5
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    if you are serious about one. I will consider selling mine, if the price is right...
    I'll even throw in a 86 SC project that needs the interior put back in and 90% t2 conversion done and some sc doors, hood, hatch...

    cmon, lets make a deal wife said I cant get an EVO till i sell some of my cars.

  6. #6
    two point two much fun Turbo Mopar Staff Turbodave's Avatar
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    Quote Originally Posted by SL#189 View Post
    I'm looking at buying a '91 Spirit R/T - what do I look for and what do I ask about?
    State even the obvious in order to get as complete a list as possible (may be helpful for newbies in the future).
    Besides the cracked cylinder head mentioned above there are a lot of other little things to look for.

    On the body look for rust on the trunklid behind the tail-lights, this is a common rust area. Also look for rust on the bottoms of the doors and on the rocker panels, both are also common if the car has been in a northern climate all it's life. The headlights sometimes get moisture or water in them, they can be re-sealed, or replaced easily enough. Cracked grills are also common.

    The interiors hold up pretty well so nothing major to worry about there, the armrest between the front seats get's broken on a lot of them, but replacements aren't too hard to find.

    Underhood, first off pull the snorkel going to the airbox, most likely it's cracked in a few places, good ones are nearly impossibe to find. Not a big deal to most people, but if you plan on buying a show car it might be. After taking off the snorkel pull the plastic cover over the plug wires and inspect the cylinder head as is described above. Coolant in this area is usually due to cracked head, oil in this area is usually due to a valve cover leak. Last I checked valve cover gaskets were still available new for about $50/pr. After checking the head out, put everything back together and start the engine. It should run smooth and quiet. If it ticks loudly there is a good chance it's got a bad lash adjuster or two. It can cost a couple hundred dollars to replace the lash adjusters, so if it needs them keep this in mind.

    Things to ask the seller would be the age of the timing belt, and if the oil pump/intermediate shaft has even been replaced. These are common TIII failures.

    Back to the engine compartment I would take a look at the power steering pump and make sure it's not leaking or making noise, replacements are available but not as easy to come by as the 8 valve cars. The A/C compressors are also unique to the R/T's so checking that out is recommended. Lately finding a new radiator for an R/T has been challenging so take the time to look the radiator over for signs of leakage or rot on the bottom. The stock shifter bushings usually go bad and result in a sloppy shift linkage, so if the shifter feels loose most likely a $25 set of bushings will solve the problem.

    That's about all I can think of at the moment, I've had 6 Spirit R/T's and the above is based upon what I've learned from them.
    Dave Tekampe
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    boostaholic TurbododgePirate's Avatar
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    Wow Great list of information guys.

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    two point two much fun Turbo Mopar Staff Turbodave's Avatar
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    Made this thread a sticky for now, will probably add this information to the Knowledge center eventually.
    Dave Tekampe
    Director SDAC National
    VP SDAC-Chicago


    85 GLH-Turbo (DC intercooled)
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  9. #9
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    Quote Originally Posted by Turbodave View Post
    Back to the engine compartment I would take a look at the power steering pump and make sure it's not leaking or making noise, replacements are available but not as easy to come by as the 8 valve cars.
    IIRC, the difference between the 8v and 16v power steering pump is the reservoir. Keep your 16v resevoir and swap it on to an 8v pump.

    Another thing, that nightmare of a vacuum harness can cause a LOT of drivability problems and boost leaks. Easy to fix, but can be used as leverage when haggling on price.

  10. #10
    boostaholic TurbododgePirate's Avatar
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    Quote Originally Posted by Scottmon View Post
    IIRC, the difference between the 8v and 16v power steering pump is the reservoir. Keep your 16v resevoir and swap it on to an 8v pump.

    Another thing, that nightmare of a vacuum harness can cause a LOT of drivability problems and boost leaks. Easy to fix, but can be used as leverage when haggling on price.
    Yes, I am looking to trade my 1999 neon RT for one right now and the guy had issues with it hitting overboost shutdown. A grainger set at 14 fixed it, but I would rather fix it right.

  11. #11
    Mitsu booster
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    I have been looking for a thread like this since I joined a day or 2 ago. The head issue is the only thing that I have found that seems to be a serious issue, and from what I read, Lone Wolf(???) I believe, is very experienced in fixing this issue. I may be mistaken, I have read a lot since I got here.

    Thanks to all that have added their knowledge. I have a month before I can get my car and I did not know the spirit r/t even existed until a week and a half ago, so I am trying to learn as much as possible now

  12. #12
    Mitsu booster
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    Knock,,Knock..
    Is this thread still alive?
    If so ..My 91 Spirit R/T still has the steel plugs..I don't really see any evidence of cracking..(did they ALL crack ?)
    I tried one time (not real hard) to get them out,,was told my another owner not to bother as they may make it crack trying to remove them,,And if it's be this many years of cycling (hot/cold)

    WHAT is every ones opinion on this?
    Should I REALLY REALLY try or just leave alone>
    THANKS
    Any Help Would Be A Help

  13. #13
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor Turbo Joe's Avatar
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    I would leave them alone... .02
    Turbo Joe
    ----------------------- 87 CSX #175 TIII powered, MegaSquirt3 Pro Ultimate, GTX3076R, Turbo Joe header, Lengel intake, Menegon ported head, the list goes on

  14. #14
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor mopar-tech's Avatar
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    Quote Originally Posted by dodgedaddie View Post
    Knock,,Knock..
    Is this thread still alive?
    If so ..My 91 Spirit R/T still has the steel plugs..I don't really see any evidence of cracking..(did they ALL crack ?)
    I tried one time (not real hard) to get them out,,was told my another owner not to bother as they may make it crack trying to remove them,,And if it's be this many years of cycling (hot/cold)

    WHAT is every ones opinion on this?
    Should I REALLY REALLY try or just leave alone>
    THANKS
    Any Help Would Be A Help
    The cracking is mostly related to the head being a poor casting. This was identified as an issue as far back as 1987 in an engineering report I have from Chrysler on the Lotus project. They had problems with porosity and material. And when I say "they" I mean Lotus.

    The SOHC heads have a huge steel pipe fitting in them for the heater hose, they never crack. The steel plugs in the 16V heads MAY be a contributing factor to cracking but not the main issue.

    Gary


    Working on clearing the decks.

  15. #15
    boostaholic
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    ^ what Gary said and the fact that the center core plug to spark plug area of the head is thinner there than the rest of the valley area. Another thing I have noticed is if the steel plugs get real rusty they seem to expand and cause more stress on that area and crack. I would say its only a matter of time before EVERY one will crack so I have just been welding that center plug solid on every head I have done lately. You can change them it might help but welding it solid is the best bet....

  16. #16
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor rx2mazda's Avatar
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    Mine still have the Steel plugs, not touching them unless I have to. **knocks on wood**

  17. #17
    boostaholic
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    Quote Originally Posted by rx2mazda View Post
    Mine still have the Steel plugs, not touching them unless I have to. **knocks on wood**
    Mine also has steel plugs, I am not touching them unless something happens.

  18. #18
    Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff Turbo224's Avatar
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    Re: Used TIII buyers checklist...

    I seem to remember at one time thinking that the amount the plugs were torqued into the head may also contribute to possible issues. I have had 3 T3 cars. The only one that cracked had the core plugs screwed DEEP into the head. The two heads that didn't crack still have 3-4 threads of each core plug showing. Jackon, you've probably owned more T3 heads than anyone other than Chrysler, have you ever noticed any sort of trend?

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