Ricci's GARAGE

THIS MONTH: MARK'S GOT A REPLACEMENT ENGINE FOR HIS PAJERO EVOLUTION...

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In the history of noises getting better over time, the sound of metal on metal in an engine is one that never improves or disappears. This was confirmed as I sat on the grass verge of the A14 waiting for recovery in my Pajero Evolution.

The engine was toast. No longer did it even knock - it was fully seized and refusing to even crank over. To make matters worse, the 3.5-litre V6 fitted to Pajero Evolutions shares almost no parts with the 'normal' Mitsubishi V6. Different pistons, heads, crank and even the engine block to name a few.

They only made 2,500 Evolutions - none of which were sold outside of Japan - so tracking down replacement parts for an engine rebuild is incredibly difficult. And with my engine now being fused solid, the chances of it being in any state for a rebuild are very, very slim. So, for eight months it was laid up in my unit gathering dust while figuring out a solution.