I just picked up a TP Elite with 61,000 Kms on it and while it needs a few little bits and pieces, it's really in good condition. There's some slight damage to the front right guard, front bumper and the nose cone, so thought I'd just replace them all and repaint. Anyone got any idea of wreckers where I might get the parts in NSW? I'm in Canberra.

Also, being such a "young" engine, I wouldn't have expected there would be any timing chain rattle (that we all love). I haven't yet tensioned the balance chain, so I'm hoping that's it... But should I expect the engine to be nice and quiet or should I cut it some slack (pun intended) for being 24 years old?

welcome back Magnut your last post was in 2007

have you been following this forum .. anyway ..in most states they are crushing first gens

try the chain adjustment first

Congratulations on finding a good TP Elite. When I was in Sydney (5 years ago), the only wreckers where I could always find 1st gen. Magna parts were Pick n Payless at Blacktown: http://www.truelocal.com.au/business/pick-and-payless-auto-parts/blacktown and Mitsibits at Greenacre: http://www.yellowpages.com.au/nsw/greenacre/greenacre-mitsibits-pty-ltd-11889998-listing.html

Pick n Payless is self serve. i.e. The cars are in a huge paddock, roughly arranged by make and model. After a bit of a search, you find the 1st gen Magnas, perhaps 6 or 8 of them at that time - probably less now. You bring your own tools and take the parts off yourself, then take them to the service window where they assess the value and take your payment. For major items like body panels, you should inspect the cars first to ensure the parts are good enough, then go to one of the service windows and get an agreed price before starting to dismantle. Otherwise you are at the mercy of whoever is on duty when you rock up at the service window. Some of the guys were good but I usually found their prices on the high side, particularly if the boss was at the service window. Incidentally, you (and anyone with you) have to pay a couple of dollars to get in through a coin operated turnstile and they check your toolbox on the way out. I hated the place and the attitude in general.

Greenacre Mitsibits is very much smaller and is Mitsubishi specific. Service there was often slow because everyone was busy but once you get someone's attention, they are good. They have already done the dismantling, so just ring first and get prices for the items you want. I found the prices fair enough.

Concerning timing chain noise, I am as much in the dark as you. My EFI sedan has only a few more kms than yours and the chain is quiet. My carby sedan had similar kms when I bought it and was a bit rattly. At about 100,000 kms now, it is rather bad but may not all be chain noise.

Thanks for your replies guys. It has been a while since I posted. I just went quiet for a bit (though was still lurking around as the posts are interesting)... I now have two Magna Elites... One 1987 model (almost 500,000Kms) that I bought in 1994 and now the 1990 model. I suspect the chain noise to be the balance chain, but haven't tightened it yet. I only picked it up last Saturday. It doesn't have the original stereo in it, instead having one of those double DIN units off eBay that does navigation, DVD's and all that fun stuff. I figured I'd leave that there as I have a spare TP Elite console complete with the original stereo if I want to put one in later.

It's got an issue with the roof lining and I found an upholsterer that will do it for $155 as I already know how to get them out and refit them (done a few). Then there's the panels and bumper that I mentioned... Anyway, if you're interested, here is the ad... I don't know how long it will be there for:

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/liverpool/cars-vans-utes/magna-tn-elite-60000kms/1043391627

I am Canberra based as well.
Was searching for a fuel tank and finally found one at Flyn'ss Wrecking Yard in Cooma.
Was surprised when I got there, I mean this wrecker is huge with over 20 acres (0.1 square kilometres!) of old cars for spare parts.
Took a picture (might post it!).

Nice car, rear panel in good order, sat nav looks good in dash

It does look good. When I got it, I drove it home (Sydney to Canberra) with no dash lights and the tail lights didn't work either (lucky it was daytime). I suspected the stereo so pulled the console out and its first night in my driveway was spent with no console while I rewired it. Some little Einstein had fudged ALL of the wiring and even went so far as to put the positive wire for the dash lights together with the negative wire for the stereo... I now have lights and the rest of it works properly too...

Magnut depends on the month and year build of TP as the very last ones had the automatic tensioners installed that came out on the first TR's.
So with normal servicing etc the chains last alot longer before the dreaded rattles. Vee

Well done...looks very neat! I saw a few panels on gumtree a while back,NOS nose panel was there too,but don't recall location. Enfield spares in Sydney may well have what your looking for,he's now on Canterbury rd Bankstown .... He's not cheap,but reasonable. Give the chains a tweak and see how you go....those rubber chain guides would be pretty old and brittle,who knows,they may be OK,only one way to find out!

It's nice to see someone around willing to keep the 1G's alive, and what a good example to do it with.
The 1G dash looks like it was built for that double din head unit - it fit's in so well with the console, and style of the dash/steering wheel.