The latest has me so excited. Haven’t seen one in ages and I learned to drive in and grew up with the exact same van (same year, color combo, engine, interior, just a few less options on this one). It’s a 1985 Plymouth Voyager LE, 2.6 Mitsubishi, 130,000 Km. Belonged to a old lady that passed away this summer. It has ZERO rust! I’ll be looking at some transmission repairs though as the forward gears are almost totally gone. Still, so stoked over this one (I know, I’m odd) can’t wait to load the kids up and cruise like I did as a youngster in the original minivan!
how's the engine??...those 2.6 Mits engines were notorious for chain guide failures (rebuilt many back in the day)...if it was well maintained, and driven normally, it may be ok...listen for chain noise as they get louder as they start to wear/fail.
I remember the issues, we had 3 of these engines in the family. The balance shaft chains/guides would go, sounded like a unusually noisy diesel, then the chain would eventually skip or break. Trouble was is that chain drives the oil pump and would take the motor with it. This one is nice and quiet still. The carb however is another story, its a complicated unit so I hear and certanly isn't working right. It chugs when cold and seems to be over fueling warm.
Oliver- I couldn't imagine such a long trip towing
anything with a 2.2 5sp. When I got married we bought my Wife's uncles 1984 Caravan with the same combo. I recall not being able to use 5th gear that often, in 5th on the highway (flat) it didn't have the power to maintain 110, so you'd start slowing down and shifting to 4th lol. All was good with a tailwind though! The 2.6/auto van I drove uses to have big trouble in the mountains, we took a trip to Seattle, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, Myself, and my cousin, the van would get passed by old motorhomes and semi trucks going up hills.
When the V6 came out it was a night and day difference. These vans needed that.
