Another Conquest shows up in the Twin Cities...

Mnementh · 04-27-2011

Thought I'd introduce myself and my ride, a bone stock '87 Conquest TSi.

I originally found this car for my then-current roomate back in '88. It had 6200 miles on it then and we had lots of bachelor fun in it back in the day. Fast forward to two weeks ago. Afformentioned friend contacts me after over 8 years of silence. Seems he's losing his house and wants to sell the Conquest to help finance his move. It reportedly has 45,000 miles on it now. After settling on a price I went down to pick it up.

Thankfully nice weather that day. I changed the dead battery for a new one and filled the 24 year old tires BUT with no ramps I could not get enough leverage to get the oil drain bolt off so I slowly and carefully drove the 130 miles back to the twin cities on a 6 year old oil change(!)

The good news of that day? The car does NOT have 45,000 miles on it - it actually has 38,000 miles!!

So, for the past week I've been changing the oil & filter & cleaning up the interior. (The leather was very dry and ALMOST ready to crack!) The car has not been cleaned or detailed for 15+ years so that alone was several day task.

My question is this: I'm gonna take it in and have the cooling system flushed... god knows how many years (decades?) old the coolant is! While I'm having that done, is there anything else I should have done? Like does this engine have a timing belt or chain? The manual doesn't say anything about replacing a timing belt but I've seen plenty of pics of starquests on the 'net with scored pistons & bent valves! Any advice would be welcome.

It is also a very unusual color - a sort of greyish slate-blue metalic. The color code is B71. I have never seen another one in this color, even back in the late '80s. If someone would kindly advise me on how to post pics, I can post pics of my car that will be easier to look at than my avatar, LOL.

I'm planning to restore the car back to it's former glory and maintain it in stock shape. Mitsubishi got it right so why tinker with it, right?? My immediate goal is to get it into roadworthy shape so it's reliable enough to drive to the Starquest Nationals in Branson, MO this June.

**mlomker** · 04-27-2011

They have chains and balance shafts. A very common problem is the balance shaft seizing and wrecking the motor. They make elimination kits for that.

I know you're on the starquestclub national forum and I learned that basic stuff just reading around for a few days. They also have a great checklist of things to look at for new SQ owners...you should run through it. Low mileage cars are as much a curse as a blessing due to the lack of maintenance.

There's a vendor called 'Dad' that rebuilds the motors and knows everything worth knowing on that front.

http://www.enginemachineservice.com/

turbotalon1g · 04-27-2011

Conquests are awesome, welcome and good luck.

polishmafia · 04-27-2011

Wow, very cool story how you got the car. Welcome!

FattyBoomBatty · 04-28-2011

Yo.

If you need someone to do work for you, Primo Performance deals with these things alot. Good shop, good people. If you are looking for help, there are several people in the cities that can do that, and would be more than happy.

If it drove back, it's probably good to go. If you have problems, post in the Virtual Mechanic on www.starquestclub.com

You can flush the cooling system by yourself if you have a hose. They sell DIY flushing kits at the parts stores.

You may have to buy a new radiator drain plug when you do that since they leak after being removed and reinstalled (sometimes).

Maybe the color is atlantic blue or something?

tehehodi · 04-28-2011

I'm surprised nobody has said this yet but, PICS!!!

Welcome and good luck!

D_Venable · 04-28-2011

Welcome, and yes as the others have said Starquestclub.com is one of the best sources for anything Starions/Conquests.

And I'll back up Andrew with the guys over at Primo being good people (I got my flatty from Jesse)

If you ever need some help, I'm willing to come lend a hand as well.

Derek

Mnementh · 05-08-2011

Here are a few 'before' pictures after I changed the oil but before I got started on the exterior with polish & wax...

Has it REALLY been that long?? I hope not...

Finally, above the back seat on the ceiling there are two vents for air and in the middle is this small device. Any ideas on what it is?!?? I can't believe it's a cabin temperature sensor but then again I remember when the car was new it had a remarkable climate control which sensed and accounted for heat from the sun, etc.

gohan2058 · 05-18-2011

That is the cabin temp sensor actually, my stealth had climate control and thats the exact same one they used for that model. Amazing ride, hope to see it at some shows this year and good luck!