New to Sammys

only4x4s

Active Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2008
Location
Reidsville NC
Ok I am going to buy a 87 Sammy Sat. Feb.25 . The guy said it has a knock in the motor but was his daily driver it is setting about all stock. I am new to the Sammy world and still just a nooby all way round. I hope some of you guys will help hold my hand through my little build. It will be slow and very normal as i plane on using it as my dd as well. If the motor turns out bad i was thinking of a sidekick or tracker 1.6L but it may not need a motor as it is only Tuesday. I will post my findings Sat. after i get it home. Till then looking forward to getting it street worthy and yalls help.
 
I also ran a 1.6 in my trail rig samurai... Ran both versions the 8valve and the 16 valve.... 16 is a harder swap but is really awesome! I also DD an 87 with the stock 1.3. It has been very reliable as well. Good luck with the build!
 
There's a couple of us in Reidsville. My buddy Greg has one out there with a Tracker 2.0, that's a pretty wicked motor swap. I'm up in Winston. Is the Sammi around here? If it's not too far, I'd be happy to pick it over for you and give you some idea of what it needs.
 
OK I got my Sammy and i am thinking the alt. is no big enough. I turn on the lights and if they are on for about 10 min something kills every thing. I unhook the bat. for a few min hook it back up and it will crank back. I have herd of going with a GM alt. is an easy upgrade. Do yall think this will solve my prob. or is it bigger that this?
 
o btw the motor has a knock haven't found it yet either but still considering the 1.6 8 valve or 16 valve conversion. Only concerns is i would like to go propane eventually and am unsure as to if the 16 valve is compatible with the 1.3 intake needed to be installed on the 1.6 for the gotpropaine kit.
 
OK mechanic just called says my knocking is a wrist pin. New decision to rebuild the 1.3L or buy a 1.6L sidekick/tracker and do the swap? The rebuild kit for the 1.3 is $210 free shipping on ebay not counting the tools and time and $$$ to pay the mechanic, or get a pull a part 1.6 and swap myself?
 
Wrist pin? Drive it until it lets go or loses compression if it's not too loud and still drives well. These motors will run for a long time with a knock. Your power issue is likely bad grounds or corroded wiring. Clean all the connection points, make sure all the grounds are there, and see what it does. I've run mine off the stock alt with a stereo, high beams, and some aftermarket lights with no problems. Work through the little issues before you tackle the motor so you know where you stand with everything.
 
OK, update on my 87 samurai is i have made the gm alt mod and searched through all the wires under the hood and some wires hanging from the dash all hots going no where have been removed or marked and caped with a wire nut and taped. Tested the 4wd today and 4 low has issues locking in the 4 high works fine maybe linkage on 4 low. Also i drove it to the store for some gas and found clutch slips a little in 4th and 5th bout 40mph is all it will do. I ordered a stage 2 clutch it should be here soon. Also found the windshield whippers don't work ? Where can i find the wiper motor on this thing? I ordered a book but it has yet to arrive. After i figure out the wiper problem I am considering an axle under switch. Any help and info on this will be appreciated.
 
only4x4s said:
OK mechanic just called says my knocking is a wrist pin. New decision to rebuild the 1.3L or buy a 1.6L sidekick/tracker and do the swap? The rebuild kit for the 1.3 is $210 free shipping on ebay not counting the tools and time and $$$ to pay the mechanic, or get a pull a part 1.6 and swap myself?
Click to expand...

I would not spend any money on the 1.3. Buy a running 1.6 16v and keep the EFI. I am not a fan of propane.
 
Thanks for the link and out of curiosity what makes you say no to propane? It is a little bit cheaper than reg. gas and as a daily driver of around 60+ miles a day i think the savings will balance well.
 
check out trailtough.com they have really nice stuff for motor swaps, thats where i got my stuff for my 2.0.
if you go with the 2.0 and stock 5 speed get the trailtough vulcan clutch too.
just my 2 cents.
 
Well still waiting on clutch to come in and book. wiper problem is solved got to looking for it and it is not there lol guess i have to buy one . found a cool idea for a body lift (read some where it makes motor swop easier) would like yalls opinion http://www.nitromax.nl/SAMBODYLIFT.HTM If yall approve i may start this as early as Sunday.
 
only4x4s said:
Thanks for the link and out of curiosity what makes you say no to propane? It is a little bit cheaper than reg. gas and as a daily driver of around 60+ miles a day i think the savings will balance well.
Click to expand...

I like the convenience of EFI. It would suck to run out of propane on the side of the road, or on the trail. I've never run out of gas before, but have seen numerous people run out of propane on the trail.
 
only4x4s said:
. found a cool idea for a body lift (read some where it makes motor swop easier) would like yalls opinion http://www.nitromax.nl/SAMBODYLIFT.HTM If yall approve i may start this as early as Sunday.
Click to expand...

I do not like body lifts. You do not need a body lift to do a 1.6 swap. I used the Petroworks swap brackets, and do not have a body lift.

Full_Circle_Pic.jpg


http://www.petroworks.com/Products.php?Action=ViewProduct&ProductID=218
 
I am hope to get a 1.6L wiring harness and ecu this weekend. I haven't decided if i will be getting the 8 valve or the 16 valve will let yall know sunday if the place has all i need to hook it up.
 
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