97 Montero Sport possible purchase questions

[Twisted Noodle]

Hey everyone I have a friend of mine who didn't change the timing belt soon enough. The result, I guess were the pistons kissing a few of the valves. She decided to not get it fixed which has resulted in it sitting at my neighbors house for a few months waiting for her to do something with it..

.. thats where I come in. Since I'm a sucker for a low cost (initial) project, this will be my first 4wd vehicle. My usual is the Mopars of the '80's, you know the little 2.2 - 2.5 turbo'd cars that you find in every junkyard in the US and most of mexico..

So the skinny on the Montero. This thing is in pretty darn good shape. No rust anywhere, rockers, liftgate, wheel wells, none. It's black, has the sunroof, power winders, (something I have gotten use to not having) It only has 137K miles on it. There really is nothing wrong with it except the bent valves, and whatever else that problem could have caused. Now her asking price of $700.00 makes me want to jump on it, but past experience with other vehicles is making me stand back and try to find some valuable info.

I imagine others have come across the timing belt issue. 137 K miles seems a little premature but what do I know? Do you guys think this is a good purchase? Should I pull the heads, check em out, replace the needed valves and run with it? Or should I find another engine and git er done that way.. I'm having trouble finding a used 3.0 except I think the salvage yard (where I work) has a Mitsu Eclipse with a 3.0 in it.. I believe the engine is smoked but the heads are probably still good, if it's the same engine..

Sorry this is so long, and if I am unclear about anything please let me know.

This isn't going to be a rock crawler, maybe lift it enough to get some larger tires under it for mild off roading, but I would like it to tow my little 21' Bayliner, and have it set up for camping with the family..

Thanks everyone

[Toygeek]

Not to dis anyone here by any means, PBB is great and all, but the majority of the gurus who can answer your questions best hang out at 4x4wire.com.

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/postli...d=UBB69&page=0

Good luck

[Raole Duke]

Along with the bent valves, you'll need to replace the valve guides themselves, which will most likely be cracked. When this happened to me(10mm nut got between the belt and crank sprocket) I put junkyard heads on mine(had them surfaced and checked).

[Twisted Noodle]

There is a newer 02 - 06 eclipse in the junk yard, I think it has the 3 liter engine. Do you think these heads might be compatible?

[Twisted Noodle]

Does anyone know?