New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Just bought a 78 Chevy LUV Mikado, will post pics tomorrow! Yoo Hoo!

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

sweet!

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Here's the PIC!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...Truck009-1.jpg

I want to clean her up and make her look bone stock.
Under the hood though...
a V-6 or maybe it's just cheaper to shoehorn in a 350 v-8, huh, huh, huh?
I'm slowly going to De-Isuzuize it and Chevroletize it!

Thanx
Dano

I'll keep posting pics as I do stuff.

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Sweet little LUV!

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Looks like a great start to something....FAST!:burnout:

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Thanx hotrod, blckbuty, and RPO!

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Everybody needs a little Luv!

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Wow, what a PITA!
My LUV has been in the shop for three weeks trying to get it to pass smog. Now that it has passed I was able to get it registered.
I went to pick it up this week at the shop and the mechanic said it wouldn't start; said its a problem with the coil. I can't wait to get it back on the road. Sorry just had to vent.
Dano

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

nice,

I looked forever around here(Houston) looks like a good start.

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Hey , what's the smog law rules for the state of Texas???

Here in California, it's 1976 and up to current that MUST be smogged!

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Finally got my truck today! It was great driving it home. Now I need to get some work done on it, keep everyone posted...
Dano

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Cool!

If you need the V8 stuff, I got them!

:chevy:

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Thanx RPOZ11, good to know.

Drove the LUV to work on Tuesday and Wednesday, it drove great! I was the only LUV on the road, although I did see one blue '73 Datsun 620. The front clip on those trucks remind me of a first-gen camaro.
I had to take a razor and remove some decals on the bottom of the windshield and remove some scotch tape from the back window (where the PO taped the temp license). I also removed the drivers' side interior sun visor, since I'm 6'2" and the visor would block my windshield view. Sorry, but I didn't think you guys would want to see pics of that.
The next projects are to get some "chevy" sideview mirrors. There is only a dinky driver's side LUV mirror that is not cutting it. I also need a bigger interior rear view mirror. The interior door and window handles are too small for my mitts, so I'm going to see about using some later model handles. I also want to have the bench seat and door panels reupolstered and install a tilt steering column to make getting in and out of the LUV a little less of a chore. The dash also needs some work (new gauges and a dash pad).
Keep ya all posted.
Dano

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

I like it. Does it still pass smog o.k.?

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Yep passed smog, worried about the next test in 2 years.
Installed new side mirrors and an inside 10" rear-view mirror, what a difference!
I don't like the cheapo JCWhitney side view mirrors I bought, but they'll do until I get some cash for some decent mirrors. I'll get some pics up soon, of the mirrors.
Dano

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Luv it!!

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

How about a 2.8 or 3.4 multi port 5 speed swap from a 3rd gen Camaro or Firebird?? It would have great power and Fuel economy in that little thing.

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

I wish!
In Cali we have to install all of the emissions components that the engine came with and take it to be inspected by the state.
I hope someday I'll have the aptitude to install a computer controlled engine.
Dano

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Hey,Dano`s in LUV.I like those little numbers.

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

I had a 79 4x4 Luv Mikado some 15 years ago, it was yellow and had the original stripes down the side and hood... loved that truck.
Since these have the 4 cylinder Isuzu engine, it should be real easy to fix it to get it to pass smog tests...
Then when you have the time and money, find a strong V6 to toss in there for speed and decent gas mileage.

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

used to have 4x4 luv, rolled it , beat it, sank it in the creek, screwed like a rockstar & raised holy hell in it... and she never up on me....gotta find another...damn i miss that little luv....cool ride...im jealous.

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

mine finally died after about 3 weeks of low oil and almost no antifreeze... then I got it fixed and never quite ran right after that

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Dano, something to think about. I know you said you wanted to "Cheveroletize" it, but the Isuzu V-6 from the Impulse used the same bellhousing as the 1.8L that's in there. So did the 1.9L I-4 turbo from the Impulse and Imark. From what I remember, every Isuzu RWD engine and transmission were identical in the bellhousing bolt pattern so they were all interchangeable. That includes the Diesels.

Yes, a 2.8L or 4.3L Vortec from an S-10 would be sweet, but that would involve a whole lot of fabricating as far as engine mounts, radiator, wiring, transmission mounts, driveshaft, shifter location, etc. It might make up for the lack of "Chevrolet" by being so much easier to use the Isuzu stuff instead.

I know when I had my 79 4X4 (with a 74 2WD body on it) I ended up dropping in a (lightly breathed on) 1.9L I-4 and squeezing enough BHP out of it to howl the tires all the way into 3rd (with a topper on the back) and still get 19-21mpg out of it. And I drove it like I stole it wherever I went...

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

I think Mickey has the best course of action... as much as someone may want to alter a truck, it will end up with much more work and many more months or possibly years until it is back on the road again. going from one Isuzu option to another will end up the easiest and best route to go without tearing the truck down and putting the Luv body onto an official Chevy frame/engine/hardware type of thing...

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

In California the smog laws are so harsh! Any engine exchange on a vehicle has to be inspected by the appropriate state agency. All engine exchanges must include all sensors and emissions components from the host vehicle.
It seems like it is going to be a PITA any way I go, Chevy or Isuzu. I've decided to just drive the truck the way it is, have fun and save on gas. After the engine goes, I will part out the vehicle to anyone who needs LUV parts.
Dano

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

There are places out there that still have reman stock engines for those things. Also there's a lot of upgrades that are hidden that will improve mileage, performance and emissions. Like the Crane 1/4 mile dirt track cam, the Jacobs Omnipak ignition system, and a Weber carb from a Pinto.

The original OHC engine that came in the LUV had the cam timing retarded 4 degrees to reduce power to come into line with the competition. But the Crane cam corrects that.

The original Hitachi HH240D vacuum secondary carb was detuned also to reduce performance. A Weber mechanical secondary has no such restrictions, which gives better performance but also improves emissions.

The Jacobs ignition helps burn all that extra gas mixture, improving emissions there, too.

You can easily bump the original 74hp engine up well over 125hp with those mods alone and still skate past emissions testing like a breeze.

The weakest links in the drivetrain are the head gaskets and the 4 bolts at the rear U-joint. And if you happen to carry around almost 4,000 pounds in the back doing 125 miles in 1st, 2nd and reverse 6 days a week, you'll eventually wear the idler shaft out in the tranny. Don't ask how I know this...

Can you tell I wish I still had mine?

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

All of the upgrades would have to be internal.
We cannot use Webers in Cali because the do not have an E.O.# :(.
We can't mix and match carbs (Pinto carb on Isuzu engine etc.)
We also have to use stock ignition components, unless the have been approved by CARB and have an E.O. # for your vehicle. :(.
They also check timing during the emissions test, so that option is out also :(. Here in Cali we have to keep 'em stock.

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

No, I'm not talking about ignition timing, I'm talking about valve timing with the Crane cam.

And I'll have to check on the Jacobs but I seem to remember they're 50 state.

You could always go Chevy TBI from a 2L Celebrity or Grand Am... :hm:

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Yeah a TBI would be a good start. The carb is what was giving me trouble in trying to pass emissions testing. A friend of mine suggested a 1992-94 Cavalier 1.8L TBI system. If I have to use a 2.0L TBI system, then I'll use a 2.0L Isuzu engine. I would hope that they'll let me use a TBI system off of a different vehicle. I'll have to check into it. I'm hoping since it's a stock GM system it would be OK. I should probably see about using an Isuzu Impulse electronic ignition system.
Cam timing; sorry I misread your post.
There has to be a way to pass emissions and get great performance.
Thanx for the info.
Dano
Keep you posted!

Re: New 78 LUV Mikado
 

Tghe Isuzu injection system is a bit of a headache. The injection computer is inside the cabin, so there's a LOT of wiring harness issues to swap it in. The reason I suggested the GM TBI unit is there's only a couple sensor wires (O2, temp, throttle position, air flow and a couple more) and four injector wires plus power and ground. A lot easier than the rat's nest of a full multiport injection system and close to the same performance and economy.