i also have a 1986 transam (i have three vehicles, a 92 silverado, 92 rally sport, and an 86 transam).

it has a tune port injection motor with what my father believes has a rod knocking (my dad has worked on cars since the sixties; i just never took any interest in cars until recently).

this car needs to be COMPLETELY restored.

where do i start?

what should i do?

should i sell it or fix it?

 

If your dad has this much experience, you should listen to him and learn from him!

 

Define 'needs to be COMPLETELY restored'? Are we to assume the body, paint, interior is all trashed? Is there any redeeming quality to make it worth the investment?

Only you can decide if you have the desire, means, and resolve to fix the car. A restoration isn't the most affordable way to get into a nice thirdgen.

 

I do believe the body is good. I was told that i have to be careful because third gens rust and their bodies wear out. But that is with every car, is it not??? The body, in my uneducated experience, looks good. The interior is wasted; the hatchback is toast; the rims are salvageable. Now, my dad and I (mainly my dad) dropped the gas tank, changed the fuel pump, replaced the mass air flow sensor (I believe that is the correct name), bought a new battery, and gave it a tune up. He started it up and it sounded good enough to me, but off none-the-less. He said he believes it is a rod knocking, though he has not worked on tuned ports as much. Other than that, the motor is good to my knowledge.

Like i said, I am just getting started so my knowledge is not exactly insightful, one would presume.

And my dad is fifty, just got finished working a turn-around at his plant, and is walking right into another turn-around. He has worked so much that he hasn't even had the time to fix his 84 monte carlo.

We have an 84 monte carlo, 76 chevelle malibu (or 86? i forget now), 86 pontiac transam, 92 camaro rs, 2002 camaro z28, 79 camaro, and an old 86 monte carlo that he used for parts. he has the cars, parts, and knowledge, just not the youth and time.

 

Fifty isn't too old to work on cars!! He might not have time, but his age has nothing to do with his ability.

 

I understand that. I would never doubt his ability. I simply meant his stamina and endurance have been pushed to their limits. Physically, his body is wearing down and can no longer take the beating. He has grown old before his time. I would never doubt his ability or knowledge.