Tom,
OzarkDaredevil wrote:
As you live in Germantown (aka: Swanky Memphis)
Funny! But you're right, I feel like the hired help around here in my '83 diesel P'up (the Beamer drivers look at me that way, too!).
OzarkDaredevil wrote:
do you know of a ballpark figure I should expect to pay for having the timing belt replaced?
I paid someone to do mine several years ago, and I think it was around $350. I
did it myself the last time and I'm not a mechanic. I think I could do it again in half the time.
JoeIsuzu wrote:
Other than old fuel in the system, the old timing belt, and potential critter dens in the intake are there any other areas I could pose issues? If/when I get this little rig firing, it'll get most of the usual maintanence items replaced (filters, belts, etc). Any suggestions?
Sounds like you have it covered. Your heater core may leak, but I'd wait and see unless there's evidence of it.
These trucks are prone to cracking on the firewall where the clutch cable goes through. If that's happened, you will find it hard to get into gear from a stop, and you may grind some gears. But that's another "wait and see" item.
Also, as fuel lines dry out, they tend to crack. Since there's no lift pump on the tank end, the fuel is pulled in. If there are ANY cracks in the fuel line, it would rather pull air in than pull fuel from the tanks. Many an injection pump has been "repaired" when all it needed was good fuel lines. In fact, I'd say many a P'up has been scrapped for this simple problem. If you don't have problems starting it, no need to worry.
And there's an oil line from the block to the back of the alternator. These get brittle and crack. Since they're fabric covered, you won't see the crack. But if they do, you will pump your oil out really fast. That's dangerous.
I'd watch this pretty closely after the first start-up.That's all I can think of for now.
Jack
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'83 Isuzu P'up Diesel LS - Original Owner
JoeIsuzu@IsuzuPup.comIsuzuPup.com