Hi all,
I am currently thinking about a car to fix up for my p plates. I have a solid understanding of cars, and do minor servicing on my neighbors car and have general play around with them. (Including his gen I wagon). I rebuild tractor and mower engines so know what is required in that field, and am more than willing to spend money for the sake of learning (in other words if I stuff it up the first time, and lose a bit of money I will know better the second)
As for a first car I like the idea of a gen 1 magna because I really do believe that they are a good looking car that was far advanced for their time. I also appreciate the room of the interior and that handling of them too.
The thing is my neighbors 89' TP magna SE wagon has a Smokey engine (it is a 2.6 astron II EFI model) that the mechanics have been saying is 'on its way out' for the past 3 years. The rest of the vehicle is in A1 condition, no rust, spotless interior and sound running gear. The transmission was rebuilt after 73,000ks in 1995, but to date it has done 203,000ks. (May be a fir bit for an auto, I’m not to sure?) But it still shifts smoothly and flawlessly. Anyway the point is I am wondering weather it would be worth buying this car off him and either re building its original engine (if practical) or installing another engine, (maybe a later one, with a manual box?) .
I am willing to put as much work as needed into it to achieve a decent result, and anything I can not handle can be completed by a family friend who is a retired mechanic.
Another option I am wondering about is weather or not it is possible to fit a diesel equivalent strait in there to make a true econo-box.
I know the gen I magna is getting on, but I like the car in general, the fact that it is cheep!
Thanks allot!
Regards Jay
P.S. I’m not too keen on going fast, just want a cheep 1/2 decent car to drive to uni ect in the future.

If you can get it at a reasonable price, go for it. The smokey engine is probably just due to valve stem seals - it shouldn't be rings at that mileage. If you do the work yourself, it will cost approx. $100. ($40 for the seals, $20 for a rocker cover gasket and $40 for the spring compressor tool).

I bought my TP wagon with about 200,000 kms on the clock. The transmission was a basket case but I had it reconditioned by a friend who is an auto transmission mechanic. It took me a while to figure out that the valve stem seals were the cause of my smokey engine because it was intermittent - used to be fine until I got caught in traffic and had to sit there with the engine idling. When I moved off, it was like a destroyer putting out a smoke screen.

Fixing the seals made a tremendous difference. The engine runs better because the plugs are clean. Mine has more than 270,000 km on it now but still runs like new. Unfortunately I had an accident a couple of months ago, ran into the back of another car and smashed up the front of mine. I straightened it out as best I could to make it driveable but it won't pass the next rego. check. I'm going to buy a donor car with good panels and transfer the front bumper, nose panel, grille and headlights. The front shock absorbers on mine are shot too, so I will probably transfer the front struts complete with springs.

You are probably better off sticking with the existing engine. Do a gas conversion if you want economy. Personally I wouldn't because of the space you lose for the tank and the explosion risk. There was an equivalent turbo diesel in the Pajero but it has a poor reputation for economy. Of course the Pajero was about as streamlined as a block of flats, so it might go better in the Magna. However I don't know whether it is a bolt-in fit or not. Too much work for the results I think.

there are two stickys in this forum that you can read
to help you decide on your project of a first gen
with a repair manual and a few basic tools
you should be able to keep a first gen running well

dont know of anyone doing a diesel conversion on a first gen

manual conversion
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33908
info
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40090

G'day,
Thanks guys for the replies.
I have a repair manual for the tm magna, and would suppose it loosely covered most aspects of the tp apart from engine-(efi aspects anyway) and transmission?
As to diesel, I highly doubt I would bother. I must admit I like the idea of a very economic vehicle, and it would also be something different I suppose. From what I have read the astron diesel was a bit poor in the pagero, but as you say the magna is allot lighter and more streamlined so it shouldn’t have to work as hard. The next worry would be whether it is suitable for east-west mounting (or what ever the configuration is referred to). Engine mounts would not be of any issue as I am a good mig welder and know an engineer that would help me with that aspect.
As to the cars themselves, is there any issues that you can report on? apart from the earlier transmissions.
Is their any problems that are out of the ordinary about the head. I can replace stem seals and rocker/tappets easily but am a little weary about the valve guides. I have access to a vertical press so could press new ones in if they were simple to do.
Also are there any other difficulty’s to report on the engines themselves. I would probably take the engine out and replace all gaskets and bearing shells, give her a hone with a new set of rings and a basic head recondition (regrind valves if needed, inspect and replace hydraulic tappets as needed ect) just so I’m more confident with the whole vehicle.
Thanks allot
Regards Jay

Think about changing the rear and front crankshaft seals, these get hard due to heat :D

hi all,
i lost interest in the old magna for a wile but my neighbor says he not paying next years rego so i can have the car for free then. apparently he should have to pay me to take it! lol
anyway im now wondering how i could work out weather its rings or valve stem seals causing the smoking problem (i do have a compression tester i could use if needed). it smokes a bit when it starts for a little while then subsides. the smoke returns when you accelerate (do not know how long it stays for but at least 300 meters down the road). there is also the common ratery noise that i suspect is either the timing chain or hydraulic tappets -or both?
also where would i find all needed parts to convert her to a manual. were the manual gear boxes much good compared to other boxes of the time. i would like to be able to tow a 6x4 trailer on occasion so weather the gear box will stand up to that is another question.
i know this post is asking 101 questions but i need to make a decision weather to take him up on his offer or not.
thanks allot!!!
regards jay

also i forgot to mention the car is very slugish even when held flat to the floor it just creeps along - this may indicate rings?
thanks once again

im not 100% sure, but i think i have heard of putting a newer/ newish lancer motor in there, the 4g63 for example... worth a try imo, would last longer and be a lot nicer than an astron...

hi,
yeh i know what you mean about the astron - everyone i speak to tells me they are a load of crap! would the newish lancer engine be a strait fit? would all the efi and ecu computers go strait in? if it were a strait forward swap with (drive shafts and electronics ect) then i would consider it, but i dont want to be playing around welding up drive shafts, and spending hours making the electrics work.
the only other thing that concerns me is having to get an engineers cert because of modified engine mounts ect.
also does anyone know what a rebuild kit is worth for the astron?
thanks allot
regards jay

this is what your after
http://images02.olx.com.ph/ui/2/49/17/16134217_4.jpg

get a halfcut and it *should* bolt in. best bet is to hunt down some members who have done this before

;1211542']this is what your after
http://images02.olx.com.ph/ui/2/49/17/16134217_4.jpg

get a halfcut and it *should* bolt in. best bet is to hunt down some members who have done this before

is this a 2nd gen shell?
what motor is that

Looks like a 4G63 from a Galant! ;)