LUVTruck.com

well, my wife and i took the LUV to my friend's house in Normandy Park today (about 45 miles away from us) and my biggest complaint was uncovered. LACK OF POWER!! now, you V8 guys don't start chiming in with the S-word. i want to keep her mostly stock because i know that these engines (when in good order) don't do half bad on the power thing. all you 1.8'ers, i need your help. ill tell ya all i know about my engine as of now and what i need from you is any power tricks ya'll know about these things and what you guys recommend for my ZuZu.

Performance
interstate: full throttle the whole way anywhere, can't hold 60 most places.
city: takes a good bit to get moving, but i guess it does OK once
underway.
off road: 4HI is useless. truck doesn't have enough power to use it. 4LO
works awesome.
gas mileage: HORRIBLE. i filled up yesterday-24 bucks i filled up today-17
i only went 105 miles. gas mileage is avg. 11
Engine
Plugs: after about 150-200 miles the plugs aren't oil soaked, but
blackened.
Exhaust: after the same distance i notice (ive been looking) no heavy
exhaust smoke (this is why im thinkin the engine may not just
be toast.) the only blue smoke i notice is VERY light on startup.
overall running condition: idles pretty smooth, seems like its missing a
cylinder while under load though (engine shakes
a lot) seems to take a long time to wind down.
leakage/odors: Typical LUV, oil all over the engine. i also notice when its
full of fuel i smell fuel strongly. other than that no odors.


this is all i can think of at this moment. i know this engine is worn, i just have a little (not much) bit of trouble believing it is SO worn it is causing a massive power loss. i have took into consideration the tire size but i don't think it should sap it down this much. i forgot to add that the clutch is good also and not slipping. if i have to rebuild it then i will re-do it and i wont have a problem doing do, i just want you guys' opinion since ya'll really know your $h!t about these little devils!!


thanks in advance
Josh

p.s.-if it does need to be redone, who sells a good kit that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? sorry so long and thanks for reading!!

chevy makes a good kit, its called a v8 wont improve your mileage.

Back when I was younger (17) a boss of mine had a 4x4 luv that he put mass cash into. top running shape. the thing was a gutless terd. i got to drive it a few times. he had good sized tires on it, but it ran just like you said. Your gas mileage seems pretty bad, though. cant wait to see some other input on that. maybe your running way rich or something. you could probably v8 it for the same price as having it rebuilt.

g

Get a weber! Here's a post that'll tell you a little about it.

http://forums.luvtruck.com/viewtopic.php?p=3270#3270

Didn't JCWhitney sell a rebuild kit a while back for around 500? Probably not top-notch, but definately cheap.

Check out what Johndog has to say about the heads and headers and stuff.... Sounds impressive...

hey drummer, your gonna love this one, i HAVE a Weber!!! is there any other things you guys could suggest? what timing are these happy at? if i rebuild it do ya think boring out would reap good benefits? i have thought about upgrading but i want to stay 4 cyl. this is gonna be a gas saver at least until my Firebird is finished...


thanks guys,
Josh

Just my thinking, but if you're gonna get 11mpg, and have to rebuild to get any higher, you might as well go with at least a mild 305. You could get at least 11mpg with that, and be happier.

and you know whats funny about that? i have a 305 ROLLER block outta my 87 Formula im not using. but it would need a rebuild as well. and if i rebuild i would get better gas mileage, which is what i need right now...

and i forgot to post, i think i am gonna try one of those pacesetter headers...see what that does...

well on my luv i had it bored 40over it has the 380cfm webber and the pace setter header whith a 2" straight pipe and glass pack on it and an electronic ignition and thing will move perty good. Right now my motor is putting out about 124hp and 150lbs'. And the little motor will spin my 27.5" A/Ts on dry pavement and if you hit second right it will chirp em there too. Definetly go whith the header when i put mine on i could real notice the power increse, just dont put a glass pack on it kinda sounds like a ricer . Another thing you could play whith is your timing, advance it and see what it does, when i compete (run hill climbs and obsticle courses) ill turn the distributor till the motor pings then back it off 1/4 turn and it will throw dirt perty good, and nail ya in the seat.
Hope this helps a bit, and good luck!

_________________
1980 LUV 4x4, going under re-construction...

hey MEPR, how hard is it to rebuild one of these lil boogers? i've been trying to find someone on here around my neck of the woods with some expierience who could possibly come help me here shortly when i re-do mine. i would like to overbore it a little but i may just stick with new rings and mains. depends on what she looks like inside, ya know? i also wouldn't mind if someone with a lil more experience would come help me ring some more power out of it and maybe go play in the wilderness some while they're here. any of you guys around here who would be interested, lemme know...


thanks for the replies!!!

Josh

There are several things that affect the power of your truck.
1: change the air filter if dirty!
2: do a compression check! That would tell you about the engines internal condition, ring and valves. do you get alot of blowby thru the vent in the valve cover?
3: set the timing correctly! possibly a complete tune-up is in order.
4: if you have a catalitic converter check to make sure it has stopped up.
5: check to make sure your brakes are not dragging.
6: check the carb adjustments too, and fuel filter.
I have a 80 4X4, i get about 24 miles to the gallon, and the truck is stock with 265,000 miles on the odometer. One thing that is diffrent is tire size. I run P215/75R-15 on my truck. I had larger tires on it, it was down on power some, but it still would bury the speedo 85 plus. The Toyota guys couldn't believe how fast that little truck would run. Good luck on finding the problem.

_________________
1980 4X4 LUV

1st thing, 11mpg is absolutely horrible for a 1.8L LUV. Something has to be a off there. I have only slightly smaller tires and I get about 20mpg. Probably the Weber needs to be adjusted or the choke is stuck on. The "missing" you describe under a load reminds of of what mine was like with a manual choke weber when I would forget to take the choke off. I'd check that first. Getting that poor of mileage I'd be looking for gas leaks somewhere under the truck. Whether it is into the motor or not, you are are dumping a lot of gas down the toilet someplace.

Also, you should keep in mind that your tires are throwing your speedo and mileage way off. Find someplace you can compare mileage over 2-3 miles with another vehicle you know to be about correct and see how far off you are. My truck is running 235/75/15 tires that are worn a bit and I lose about 1 tenth of a mile every mile. So for every 100 miles on the odometer I've actually gone 110. If the speedo says 50, I'm doing 55, etc.

im mainly interested in the timing and compression check right now. im willing to bet a paycheck or two that is where most of my power is lost...meanwhile, went from lacey to Ft Lewis and back today, a half tank gone...down the toilet!!

Id like to point out the bright side. Car trouble can ride over you like a weight, and spoil a good time. dont forget you are one of the proud few to run in a luv- and these problems will soon pass.....( i told myself that 2 months ago when youll remember i broke my ankle, and here i am walking again- they passed)

It is running! just not great. I dont have any advice for you on the fix. Just be happy to be driving it and know youll get it goin soon.

remember where im at.... fully v8 luv with a broken bolt. Broken alt bolt= no drivey drivey. hang in there. I am. its been totally sunny and that dang busted bolt with a busted 'easy out' in it leaves one in a pickle.

later dude.

oh, ive seen the bright side already. i am getting a new toy! now the Luv can be rebuilt (engine anyways). for those of you who are interested, i am getting a black 1989 Chevy Camaro Iroc-Z. TPI 305 and 5speed, T-tops and fast as hell!!!

damn, i havent driven mine on the road yet, cuase the chevette body on it is under a rebuild, bit its got 31 inch tires on it, cant wait to see the lose of power that's gonna give me, i better get somt toyota axles, and gear the things down i reckun, or do a engine swap.

OK, I have had my 79 Mikado LUV for over 8 years and seen almost every thing imaginable. They like to burn valves, so watch the smog valve, mine had a pin hole and wiped out #1 exhaust . Fuel pumps. they are electro magnetic crap, after 2, I went with a Purolater aftermarket. The carbs are finicky, if you don't have all of the 870 solenoids and smog controls ( 3 really ) working just right, it will lose power. I did play with the timing, about 12--14 advanced got the best results, but had to chnge back so it would smog. Also had the high speed miss, turned out to be the plugs, went with Bosch Platinums and new wires ( good ones ) and it runs great. I figure you can waste your time and money cheaping out or bite the bullet and get the good stuff ( it really does make a difference). I drive mine to work daily and use it on the job, I get about 20--24 mpg and can do 80+ with the wind behind me. Now with a headwind and a hill, maybe 60 and alot of pissed commuters in their expensive SUVs behind me ( oh I feel sooo bad NOT ). I run 225x60s on 8" 4x4 wheels in the back and 215s in the front, dropped 2" , lumber rack and a hard cover I made over the bed. Oh yea I have the 1.8 and a 5speed . Sorry about the long post, but over 8 years I have experienced quite a bit with my LUV. I have a really nice full size 93 chev, but like to drive that LUV truck.

mouse53

i discovered the problem with mine but im gonna be a post whore so you'll have to look at my new thread!!!


Josh