Man, what a day! You know how they write up a list of the things they still have to do on the blackboard on 'Monster Garage'? Never tried that before, but with so many things to do to get this project just up to the "first test drive" stage, I thought it might be a good idea to write out a list of everything that stands between me and that first test drive. So, I wrote out the list on a big piece of cardboard and tacked it up on the wall next to my toolbox in the garage. 36 items on it last night when I hung it up there! Started bright and early this morning to try and bust out maybe ONE of those things...went and bought torque converter bolts and 'spacers'. (FWD and RWD 2.8s use different flex plates...they'll interchange...but if you use a FWD flex plate and a RWD converter, you got about a one inch gap to deal with!). The bolts are metric, of course...and my spacers are a big nut and a washer between the flex plate and the converter pads! Allows the converter to come back out from the pump about the specified amount without going too far! As it was positioned, two of the bolts could be installed without turning the motor over. Cool! After those two were in, I pulled the spark plugs and read their tales...four really clean burning cylinders, one with a hint of oil fouling, and one with faint traces of water and rust. Uh oh! Sprayed WD-40 into the cylinders... When the motor turned over by hand from under the car, I breathed a sigh of relief...the Vega Incident still fresh in my memory and it's ghosts looming in the shadows! Hmmm...goes about 3/4 of a turn, then stops dead, with a slight scraping crunch sound. Not good...but it DOES spin free for 75% of it's rotation. A heavy duty flywheel turner was no help...my fragile 225 pound self hanging from it and all! Let the cylinders soak with MORE WD-40 in 'em, then hooked up the starter...wanna PLAY? Let's PLAY, Mr Motor!!! Ha Ha Ha...see who blinks first!! By turning the motor to the point where it would have a 3/4 turn "head start" run at the sticky spot, it only took two tries to bust through and get it turning over all the way! WHEW! A really BIG sigh of relief! Ended the day with two items crossed of The List...34 to go...but some are pricey ones!
right on ....thats the way to do it...make a list and then as you check off the crap nobody see's..at least you know somethins gettin done!
Hack- Since you're in to crossing off items on a list, I need some eggs, bread, milk, cheese, bologna etc. from the grocery store... Seriously, that's a good start. Do you think the motor has a bad head gasket?
Prob a bit of sweat rust from humidity Hack you're OK Im sure as the Old man had it overhauled here at a reputable shop and didnt drive it much before the trans went out! Be sure and DON'T be like Santa Claus.....[makin a list an checkin it TWICE]....once is usually enough for a car guy Twice would be TOO discouraging!!
well hell thats good. i was preety bumbed out when u told me about that today. glad there is hope yet. let me know if i can get ya some more frrebies so that list grows smaller. i can prob steal stuff from work now with out to much hassel for i am the new service writer at deeeetroit 2!!! yahoo no one can stand inmy way now!!!haha
Hell hack I thought you just got back from the clinic and were scribbling on the ladie's room stalls again..... For a Good Time call Fat Hack 1-900-HACK-SAW.
I know what you mean, I always do lists since I travel for work all the time. It's the only way to keep on top of the project. AHotRod
Is that alternator anything special, or just a garden variety GM alternator? If it's just a normal GM, I've probly got a decent used one that's yours if you want it.
[ QUOTE ] I used a dead Vega alternator to mock up the whack-o braket...looks like your average, ordinary GM internal regulator 63amp job to me. (Already had it tested, so I know it's bad...got another, but the bearings are FRIED!) Thanks, you're gonna have me up to dinner and a movie if you keep this up, Bro! [/ QUOTE ] Bearings are simple and cheap at abearing supply. The front one is the most common bearing in the world! (according to the guy at the place I buy mine, it's used in 90% of the electric motors in the world, and early GM internal-reg alternators)
When you spun the engine over to the stop, it may have been an exhaust valve stem rusted stuck. Forcing it to open sometimes leaves that valve stuck in an open position. It would be good to check the compression in all cylinders.
What size fuel line are you running, I can get 5/16", for the trans., and I would think that would be big enough for the fuel lines. I can also get you some brake lines.... FREEBIE....FREEBIE....ZIP, ZERO, NADA! Let me know when you and Steve have your little "rendesvoux" (or however you spell it), and I will be sure to have the goods for you by then. -Joe
The Jalopy Journal
