Today was a good day.

by "Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
Published 03/12/2017 at 21:30

Tags: Will work for beer ; Mighty Max
STARS: 18

So my former boss — the one who kept trying to buy my pickup — bought a Mighty Max. Whislt talking about it a few weeks later, he seemed just a tad down on his purchase. I told him, “Let me look it. Buy [these parts], and I’ll slap them on myself.”

Let’s start with the positives though. The body of this truck is effectively perfect. There is zero rust atop and underneath. The interior is solid. The factory decals are sex.

His primary concerns were the clutch being harsh, the power feeling absent, and the valves ticking. Well, it has 275k miles, and it’s got one HELL of a valve tick. But the oil pressure is good andd there’s no knock. He’s not going to drive it more than 3k miles a year. So valve tick, schmalve tick. Old beater.

The power was an interesting thing. I had him drive it and attempt to replicate the problem. Then I drove it myself. It’s true that it’s an absolute dog of a motor, but no more winded than my dad’s old Mazda B2200i 4x4. I also noticed he kept short shifting the thing. He lives in a very hilly area. “Listen, this thing is old and slow. You need to get it to 3500, 4000 before shifting or you’ll lose all momentum.” When I drove it, I showd him what I meant. He was relieved, and explained that he was so used to short shifting his ‘96 Civic and that he was a little scared of pushing the motor on the Mighty Max. Now, to his credit there were extenuating circumstances.

Which brings us to the shifting. The “gaits” on this thing are not at all like a Honda, Audi, or Toyota. If you don’t throw EXACTLY where the little gait is for the gear, it will not go in, period. With most cars, you just shift nearby and you’ll slide right in. Not this Mitsubishi. So, if you miss your first attempt, you’ve basically lost all your power and momentum by the time you go for a second attempt. That’s just the learning curve on this vehicle. He’ll eventually get used to it, and he feels the same.

But there’s more. The clutch pedal is the heaviest one I’ve ever operated. Not only that, but it’s long, AND it only engages on the damn floor. He said it was brutal to drive for any period of time, and I felt the same when I got behind the wheel. So, I adjusted his pedal.

Now the length is super short compared to before and it’s more like, “tap, shift, release” instead of, “lift your leg all the way up, stomp and hope it engages, fail, cry.” Feels crisp now.

I also replaced his spark plugs, wires, and distributor cap. Anything we could do to get even one more horsepower was well worth it. Pretty easy job on a desmogged engine bay.

His plugs were old as shit, but no signs of oil fouling, or misfires. I wished the plugs I took of the Tercel looked that good.

I was compensated with energy drinks, stouts, and cinnamon rolls.

Also, Luna made a new friend.

Wore her out good, too.

Thanks for reading.

Replies (22)

"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
03/12/2017 at 21:34, STARS: 3

That’s either had the head replaced, or the cooling system has been maintained super well. A valve adjustment should deal with the ticking, at least I assume.

"Autofixation" (Autofixation)
03/12/2017 at 21:35, STARS: 1

My brother recently bought a Mighty Max as a DD because he runs a tree service company. There is already a line to buy it, I’m second in said line.

"Spaceball-Two" (spaceball-two)
03/12/2017 at 21:38, STARS: 0

Holy shit that’s clean! What’s the tape holding on the firewall?

"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
03/12/2017 at 21:39, STARS: 3

The valve adjustment shouldn’t be to hard. Just need a $5 feeler gauge from harbor freight. I’d appraise it as a case of beer job.

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
03/12/2017 at 21:39, STARS: 0

Nothing, that’s a cut leftover wire from the missing smog stuff. Under the duct tape is fine, I think it’s there because it whistles if that notch in the firewall is just left open.

"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
03/12/2017 at 21:48, STARS: 1

new air filter? i know a mechanic who has pulled many a mouse nests out of them.

"Andrew Pascarella" (racedinanger)
03/12/2017 at 21:49, STARS: 1

Holy cow that’s clean. Man I would love a 4x4 Mighty Max. G54bs are total dogs, but if that’s a mechanical lifter head it needs a valve adjustment.

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
03/12/2017 at 21:51, STARS: 0

The previous owner was a bizarre fellow. The air filter was brand new but the plugs were way old and the oil may or may not be ancient. Yes, I know the the filter takes 15 seconds to change, but dammit, if I’m selling a car I’ll make sure it has fresh oil and good plugs at minimum.

"Spaceball-Two" (spaceball-two)
03/12/2017 at 21:53, STARS: 1

I don’t remember the last time I saw one that wasn’t beat to shit. Although that rear bumper gots to go.

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
03/12/2017 at 21:54, STARS: 1

A girl I had a crush on in high school drove a carbon copy of that truck. Cool little truck!

"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
03/12/2017 at 21:57, STARS: 1

My friend in Hawaii has a gold and brown one with an extended cab. It’s awesome. Awww, my dog is not well at the moment and hopefully won’t get worse.

"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
03/12/2017 at 22:03, STARS: 0

that’s just lazy. If the oil wasn’t changed I’d assume the diff fluid is old as hell. and maybe a coolant flush too.

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"smobgirl" (smobgirl)
03/12/2017 at 22:11, STARS: 1

Daaaaaamn that truck looks nice! Thank him for letting you share it with us!

"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
03/12/2017 at 22:24, STARS: 0

WhT kind of pupper is doggo?

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
03/12/2017 at 22:26, STARS: 1

Dane-Lab-WeDunno mix.

"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
03/12/2017 at 22:32, STARS: 1

“He was relieved, and explained that he was so used to short shifting his ‘96 Civic”

Wait? One does not simply short shift a Honda, you whined it out bounce of the rev limiter and bang shift every gear. Right? Have I been doing this whole “Honda” thing wrong this whole time?

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
03/12/2017 at 22:35, STARS: 2

He’s a conservative fellow. The civic was an economy car, not a fun car for him.

"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
03/12/2017 at 22:37, STARS: 0

Some times mutts are the best. My nephew wants a Yorkie, but I look into it and people want 500 buck minimum for a yorkie, and like most breeds they come with many health risks. We told him when the time comes we’ll go to the shelter and pick out a dog who needs a home. I’m hoping for a lab mix, but ultimately we’ll let him choose. Within reason. My parents made the mistake of letting me get a Jack Russell Terrior as my first dog, turns out a 10 year old who cant train crazy hyper dog like that own his own, who knew.

"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
03/12/2017 at 22:38, STARS: 1

I guess there are people who buy a Civic and use it for its intended purpose.

"gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee" (gogmorgo)
03/12/2017 at 23:51, STARS: 0

This is also how I drive the Niva. If it revs to 7500 rpm why not enjoy the whole range?

"Shmevans" (icantdriveanyslower)
03/12/2017 at 23:54, STARS: 1

My first vehicle was one of these in Dodge Ram 50 flavour. An ‘87. Loved that thing so much and couldn’t kill it no matter how hard my youthfulness tried. Mitsubishi logos and stickers for days. Those were the days.

"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
03/13/2017 at 01:12, STARS: 0

clutch cable on those are prone to stretching.