My free 89 comanche

[bobconworker]

So last July I bought a house and as an incentive he was going to include his broken down 89 Comanche.(I was going to buy it regardless but I like small trucks always like the 4.0)

Anyways what I got is a 89 2WD 4.0 Manual truck. I would like to get it up and running first and then maybe do a 4WD conversion and keep it a stick. I might do a slight 2-4 inch raise seeing as it'll be a trail/dump runner so need to keep it street legal. I have a little automotive experience but not much in the ways of axels/transmissions and such. I did it get where I can drive it. Had to replace bad starter and bad and wrong battery (probably what fried the starter). So it cranks every time now. I do have an issue on occasion with the transmission not wanting to go into gear opinions? Also I have a brake issue they work but the pedal is pretty much at the firewall and it isn't the quickest response. I tried bleeding them but no air bubbles and passenger front has a stripped bleeder screw that I will have to deal with as well. The brake fluid has not dropped so I don't think there is a leak but again not sure. Also runs a bit hot after shut off I heard this is common and only real way to fix is to convert to open system (already replaced tank, pump, and thermostat, helped a lot) Any help would be greatly appreciated also I will post pictures and video of it running as soon as I get home.

[DirtyComanche]

This is the wrong subforum.  Somebody might see it and move it.

 

Your transmission issue might be as simple as the clutch needing to be bled.  Or it could be way more complicated, such as worn synchros or the clutch is worn out or assembled wrong.  More info would help with diagnosis, such as if it happens only when stopped, or moving.  Also being an 89 you might have the terrible Peugeot BA-10/5 transmission, which any minor issue with it is a likely sign of imminent total failure.

 

Your brake problems could be a lot of things.  I'm guessing you couldn't fully bleed it since one of the bleed screws is broken off?  Also, there is a funky bleeding procedure because of the load sensing valve in the rear, it is posted in the tech section and somewhere in this section I believe.  Beyond bleeding them, I'd guess that your hoses have gone soft and are ballooning under pressure.  Or it is actually leaking, just slowly.  The line behind the fuel tank is notorious for rusting, and the wheel cylinders can weep if they get old, so those are two places worth looking.

 

You can make the closed system cool properly, but it is hard to keep it working because the expansion tank is a piece of junk.  Running hot is normal, it is a 195 degree thermostat and the temp sender is in the back of the head.  So seeing over 200+ on the gauge is not at all abnormal.  Also the gauges are notoriously poorly calibrated.  Another common thing is the fan clutch wears out and no longer functions, plus often if there is an aux fan it no longer functions either, so they're things that are worth checking/repairing.

[Minuit]

Moved :thumbsup: