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HB'S RS or ISUZU FEVER

71K views 263 replies 26 participants last post by  trendie 
#1 ·
Not sure yet how much of a build this will become, but thought I would post some pictures of my new RS. Found , after looking a while, by following up on Isuzugeek's post in the classified. It involved a trip to the great PNW as this section of our country seems to have more of our Isuzu's. I made a decision to sell my 2000 Amigo to get this 89 RS. It wasn't that easy of a decision to make as I really like my Amigo. What swayed me was the Amigo has the infamous 2.2, and although all's well now, I am following most of the comments here that in the long run problems may arise. I already did a valve job on it and I have also worked on the 2.3, and I much preferred the work on the 2.3. And also I have Isuzu fever and always wanted the elusive RS.
 

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#177 ·
Okay Harry, lots of progress since I checked last. You are definitely into the home stretch with just the little stuff left. This one has been fun and informative to watch. You deserve to enjoy a cruise or two!
 
#178 ·
Finally drove it enough to use up the first tank of gas. I KNOW gas mileage will probable differ when figured over several tanks, but was pleasantly surprised to get 18.6 mpg's on the first tank of gas. I don't know what other members are getting with weber conversions, but I'm happy with mine. And the car just seems to drive better and should be easier to work on.
 

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#179 ·
http://www.racetep.com/manufacturer/car ... pumps.html

Enjoying driving my rig for the past few months. Still getting decent mpg's and the car is much smoother to drive than the itec provided. Granted, the itec was somewhat compromised by the po removing some of the emissions stuff. I used the above link as a guide for selecting the carter fuel pump. Still don't know what pressure is arriving at the carb. Been meaning to install an underhood gauge to see what the pressure really is. I followed the article and didn't use a regulator. Really a mild winter here in Tx. But no progress on the paint job yet, which is next on the bucket list.
 
#180 ·
Had a warm day, and I'm finally getting over what I consider the worst cold I've ever had, so thought I would start removing some items to prepare for the paint job. I picked the fender flare. Jacked up and removed the wheel for better access. Hmmm, just 8 bolts, I'll be done here shortly. Mixed up 50/50 acetone, tranny fluid for penetrating oil. All 8 bolts froze from rust and road grime. I had a hard time, finally getting 7 removed and the eighth one broke. Tried to remove it from the backside with a vice grips and it broke too. Drilled a hole through and inserted a No. 2 easy out. I know from past experience how much torque to twist and I was approaching that limit and it wouldn't budge. Removed the easyout and drilled the bolt out with a 1/4 drill and tapped it with a No. 8x1.25 mm tap thinking all the others were metric. WRONG. There 1/4 x 20 bolts about 1 and a quarter long. Took 2 hours and gotta say I'm not looking forward to the others.
 

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#181 ·
Those flares are gold Harry. It will be worth the effort! That RS is looking good!

Arch
 
#182 ·
Arch,
Thanks for the comments. Haven't heard from you in awhile. Hope all's well......Harry
 
#183 ·
Still haven't figured out a good way to mount the flares. Like you said, mine are on with like 8 screws. Problem I've found over the past several years is I keep moving up in screw size when they vibrate loose after a year or so. I've tried rubber washers and rubber backed steel washers without any difference. Afraid to try bolts as I think they will eventually crack the flares as they wont be able to flex. Thinking of blue loctite and rubber washers next, and will be looking to hear what you think after you've been running them awhile. I agree with Arch, they look great and will really dress up the beautiful little red RS. Might look into those nylon bolts and nuts too. This is fresh on my mind because I just tightened up all four flares last week and had three holes that required larger screws this go around.
 
#184 ·
Willie,
Almost wish mine were like yours. I tackled one of the front one's this morning. I'm thinking there probably on there since new and the bolts are really froze.I broke 5 out of the 7 mounting bolts. Had to get some cut off wheels for my dremel to remove the flare. Now I have to drill out the broken ones and go to the next size up. I never had your problem of them loosening. Probably take me a month to get this thing ready for the paint shop....Harry
 
#185 ·
Also am removing the side molding. I may end up being sorry I am doing this as the glue and residue removal on the molding is going to be a mess. May end up painting them and installing new pin striping
 

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#186 ·
Little elbow grease and This it will look good as new!

Arch
 

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#187 ·
archmckinnon said:
Little elbow grease and This it will look good as new!

Arch
Arch,
Most my elbow grease is gone. ........Harry

I will use the 3M double sided tape for re-installation
 
#188 ·
Goo be gone or Goo gone (something like that) will soften it but still takes lots of work to get a clean surface. I tried a heat gun too and it helps but still lots of work. I got tired of messing with it after three or four days so sanded it off, and repainted, which didn't work real well, so sanded the whole truck and had it resprayed. Really needed a repaint anyway, I was just trying to avoid one. Removing that's crap is a job, and I expect someone has a better method than what I tried. Mostly got to be a lack of patience on my part. It is tedious work. Whatever Isuzu used, it was meant to last.
 
#189 ·
wmorrisiii said:
Goo be gone or Goo gone (something like that) will soften it but still takes lots of work to get a clean surface. I tried a heat gun too and it helps but still lots of work. I got tired of messing with it after three or four days so sanded it off, and repainted, which didn't work real well, so sanded the whole truck and had it resprayed. Really needed a repaint anyway, I was just trying to avoid one. Removing that's crap is a job, and I expect someone has a better method than what I tried. Mostly got to be a lack of patience on my part. It is tedious work. Whatever Isuzu used, it was meant to last.
Yep, and it did last. Now I've got to finish what I started, so this may end up being the longest paint job in the history of the Planet!
 
#190 ·
itsmehb said:
wmorrisiii said:
Goo be gone or Goo gone (something like that) will soften it but still takes lots of work to get a clean surface. I tried a heat gun too and it helps but still lots of work. I got tired of messing with it after three or four days so sanded it off, and repainted, which didn't work real well, so sanded the whole truck and had it resprayed. Really needed a repaint anyway, I was just trying to avoid one. Removing that's crap is a job, and I expect someone has a better method than what I tried. Mostly got to be a lack of patience on my part. It is tedious work. Whatever Isuzu used, it was meant to last.
Yep, and it did last. Now I've got to finish what I started, so this may end up being the longest paint job in the history of the Planet!
Well, it's totally stripped of all items that get in the way when painting a car. Door handles, locks, side molding, side mirrors, bumpers, tail and license lights, grill, large rear door and windshield glass, so that should please the painter. Getting a single stage urethane paint in the same red color. The urge to change was there, as I could have the only orange RS, but common sense prevailed. Got some SEM paint for the molding. Special for the molding as it's for rubberized bumpers and trim. Should get it back in maybe a week or so.
 
#191 ·
I'm looking forward to seeing the new paint Harry (you warned them about any overspray on those snowflakes I expect). :D

You save a ton of money too when you do the prep, along with knowing that all the little pia stuff gets done right. New paint on your RS is definitely going to make it one of the nicest ones out there! It was pretty much there anyway even before the paint.
 
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#192 ·
wmorrisiii said:
I'm looking forward to seeing the new paint Harry (you warned them about any overspray on those snowflakes I expect). :D

You save a ton of money too when you do the prep, along with knowing that all the little pia stuff gets done right. New paint on your RS is definitely going to make it one of the nicest ones out there! It was pretty much there anyway even before the paint.
Thanks Willie,
If I was younger I would have sanded it, primed and painted it myself. I'm the kinda guy that thinks I can do a job better my self, even if I can't. Drives my wife nuts. And they better cover those wheels. It's Maaco, so I'm not expecting perfection, but there the only place I could find that didn't start out at 3000 dollars. Most body shops won't touch a complete repaint for some reason. Wonder how it would look purple? HAHA
 

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#193 ·
You're right, I've talked to several body shops that aren't interested at all in doing a full paint job. They tell me they make more on insurance work. Main reason my 90 went to Maco too. Now I'm dealing with a body shop a friend of mine owns, and he can and will do it all. He took the shop over from his father about 10 years ago so he grew up doing this stuff and he learned well. If I do the prep and help with taking it apart and the reinstall, he will spray stuff for me cheap, and he is great at what he does. Of course, I'm never at the top of the list for getting done quickly, but that is okay and a fair trade off. Plus we have a great time working together on weekends when there aren't any distractions.

I feel the same way about doing things. I always think it comes out better when I do it myself. That's why I have so many damn projects stacked up. I don't want anyone else touching them. 30 or 40 years ago I could easily do 12 hour or better stretches and always finished one project before starting another one. Now with limited time I usually have three projects plus work going on at once. I don't feel like I've slowed down a bit, but the getting things finished part sure as hell has :lol: Of course the fault isn't with us Harry, time just goes quicker than it used to, probably due to some yet undiscovered glitch in the space / time continuum. :D

I'll tell you though, good to always have projects and to feel the way we do. I still get all fired up when I find a great deal on a neat old vehicle, and usually have an idea in my head inside of an hour of exactly how it is going to look and perform when I get done with it. Same with old furniture, old guns, and just old stuff in general. Without a wife and children to guide me along, I doubt I'd own anything that had been made after 1990.
 
#194 ·
Well said Willie. I have the same thoughts.
I guess great minds think alike!

Harry. Your truck is coming along great!

Arch
 
#195 ·
archmckinnon said:
Well said Willie. I have the same thoughts.
I guess great minds think alike!

Harry. Your truck is coming along great!

Arch
Thanks Arch,
I deferred all the sanding to Maaco. Charged me over 100 dollars for the sanding. But I removed all the molding and that looked like a big job. I remember when you were doing all the sanding on your RS. Probably, I would get elbow bursitis if I did all that sanding.
 

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#196 ·
Well, got it back from Maaco's. Generally satisfied, but lots of work putting it all back together and the inside really needs a good cleaning. They sanded and primed the whole car. Wish I knew how to put that rear window in. Doesn't look that hard. The picture of the rear door hinge is for Willie.
 

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#197 ·
Boy that is looking nice.
.
 
#198 ·
Harry, if you have the glass and the rubber seal ... and some string and windex/wd40, its usually a piece of cake. Might need a helper too.

Used to do this on VW bugs all the time (yes, I as a bug head years ago).

Check out a few vids -



You insert the glass into the seal, and run the string (weed wacker cord works well too) into the lip on the rubber seal. Squeeze the glass w seal into the edge of the window frame, and then use the string to pull the lip of the rubber seal into place from the inside of the truck.

Prolly worth a shot ...

PS ... RS is looking damn fine, even without a rear window. 8)
 
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#199 ·
It is funny, I just removed one of those windows today from a spare door I had laying around here. I got it from Bart last year when he was dumping a bunch of his stuff. I had to cut the window out from the rubber, stuff was as hard as a rock.
 
#200 ·
MarkB.NV said:
Harry, if you have the glass and the rubber seal ... and some string and windex/wd40, its usually a piece of cake. Might need a helper too.

Used to do this on VW bugs all the time (yes, I as a bug head years ago).

Check out a few vids -



You insert the glass into the seal, and run the string (weed wacker cord works well too) into the lip on the rubber seal. Squeeze the glass w seal into the edge of the window frame, and then use the string to pull the lip of the rubber seal into place from the inside of the truck.

Prolly worth a shot ...

PS ... RS is looking damn fine, even without a rear window. 8)
Watched the first video several times. Put the seal on the glass and taped it in place. Used 1/8th inch rope that I bought a while back to fix an umbrella that wouldn't open or close. Went out and tried it. My observations, definitely takes two, the 1/8th inch cord works better than anything smaller, and windex works as a lubricant when needed which was only at one corner. And I was a vw junkie myself, having owned a 61 and a 64. Got so good I could drop an engine before my coffee got cold.
 

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#201 ·
Truck looks great. Your snowflakes look immaculate too. Once you get the string / seal thing down it is pretty easy. Dennis
 
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