My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
03-31-2013, 05:38 PM
#51
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Auburndale Florida
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Iroc
Engine: 5.0
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
You have a lot of patience, I still need to replace the temp gage in the block, doesn't look like fun or that I just don't have the right socket to get to it without taking those pipes off of the exhaust manifold. started the car & the fans didn't come on I am hoping it's just a fuse or because the temp gage is not hooked up.
03-31-2013, 11:18 PM
#52
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Casselberry, FLA
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/member.php?u=103838
03-31-2013, 11:22 PM
#53
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Casselberry, FLA
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
The temp gauge sending unit is on the driver's side cylinder head, between the front two spark plugs. Its real easy to get to.
The temperature switch for the fan control is in the block on the RH side of the engine, just above the starter area. You don't have to take out any pipes to get it, but you do need to disconnect the battery because you will hit the solenoid by accident with your ratchet. I had my car up on ramps and I was able to get it out. You are gonna drain the cooling system when you take it out, so have your new one ready to jam back in there when you get the old one out.
The temperature switch for the fan control is in the block on the RH side of the engine, just above the starter area. You don't have to take out any pipes to get it, but you do need to disconnect the battery because you will hit the solenoid by accident with your ratchet. I had my car up on ramps and I was able to get it out. You are gonna drain the cooling system when you take it out, so have your new one ready to jam back in there when you get the old one out.
04-01-2013, 10:49 AM
#55
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Casselberry, FLA
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
Update!
I just got the A/C system flushed and charged up. We found a few missing o-rings from the past, installed them, recharged it with dye and now we are in testing phase. It blows really cold now, so of course I'm super happy about that. Hopefully it won't have any other leaks and its fixed for good!
I also tore apart and fixed my power door lock relay. Someone had been in there before and there was only one tab left holding the top cap on. On the back of one of the coils, the ground wire was broken off the soldering point, so I soldered it back together, installed a used-but-good switch on the driver's door and now it works pretty good. The old switch worked halfway and all the words were worn off, so after cutting it off, I used the wires to verify that circuit was good (and it was) and then soldered in the pigtail from my "new" switch. Three pieces of shrink wrap later and its a permanent repair.
When my Firebird door panels get here from thirdgenranch, I'll put them in my mom's car then use her good gray pieces in this IROC.
I need to go ahead and change that outer window rubber while the door panel is off too. Then the passenger door needs torn apart since you can't open it from inside and the door lock switch cannot be seen through the mount holes hahahhah. I'll do that when the door panels are ready to go on I guess.
I just got the A/C system flushed and charged up. We found a few missing o-rings from the past, installed them, recharged it with dye and now we are in testing phase. It blows really cold now, so of course I'm super happy about that. Hopefully it won't have any other leaks and its fixed for good!
I also tore apart and fixed my power door lock relay. Someone had been in there before and there was only one tab left holding the top cap on. On the back of one of the coils, the ground wire was broken off the soldering point, so I soldered it back together, installed a used-but-good switch on the driver's door and now it works pretty good. The old switch worked halfway and all the words were worn off, so after cutting it off, I used the wires to verify that circuit was good (and it was) and then soldered in the pigtail from my "new" switch. Three pieces of shrink wrap later and its a permanent repair.
When my Firebird door panels get here from thirdgenranch, I'll put them in my mom's car then use her good gray pieces in this IROC.
I need to go ahead and change that outer window rubber while the door panel is off too. Then the passenger door needs torn apart since you can't open it from inside and the door lock switch cannot be seen through the mount holes hahahhah. I'll do that when the door panels are ready to go on I guess.
04-05-2013, 08:23 AM
#56
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Casselberry, FLA
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
Got my packages from thirdgenranch, so I'm moving forward today.
I already installed the new-to-me coolant surge tank, and I am now waiting to do the door panels until my mom gets here after work.
I've got some pictures to post, but I have to figure out what photo editing software to use on my linux machine. Maybe I'll just export them to one of my windows machine and edit it the old fashioned way.
Anyway, I'll post pictures today hopefully.
I already installed the new-to-me coolant surge tank, and I am now waiting to do the door panels until my mom gets here after work.
I've got some pictures to post, but I have to figure out what photo editing software to use on my linux machine. Maybe I'll just export them to one of my windows machine and edit it the old fashioned way.
Anyway, I'll post pictures today hopefully.
04-05-2013, 10:43 AM
#57
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Casselberry, FLA
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
Ok, so here's the belt routing and GM part number of the belt after I removed the smog pump.
I can't believe how easy that was. I should have done that a long time ago.
I can't believe how easy that was. I should have done that a long time ago.
04-05-2013, 10:45 AM
#58
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Casselberry, FLA
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
Here's my new coolant tank that I got from thirdgenranch, and the old, cracked piece next to it.
5 bucks; you can't beat that!
5 bucks; you can't beat that!
04-08-2013, 02:22 PM
#59
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Auburndale Florida
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Iroc
Engine: 5.0
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
If I knew you needed one of those I would have gave you the extra one I picked up for free at the salvage yard
04-08-2013, 04:14 PM
#60
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Casselberry, FLA
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
Update:
My speedometer stopped working again. I pulled the drive and the gear has once again come off the shaft. I don't know what I'm going to do to fix that.
Next, I have a thermostat leak. I took the whole world apart Saturday to get to it. I found the IAC was broken off and held on with mechanic's wire. I had to chisel it out to replace it. The throttle body gasket fell to pieces and no auto parts stores had one, some some felpro cork gasket material took its place for now. Once I have that leak fixed I'll be much happier. The bottom hose that runs to the throttle body split and blew a hole in it as well, so now the throttle body is bypassed and a new, blue silicone hose goes from the intake straight over to the heater control valve.
Gotta take the world apart again to get back at that thermostat gasket. The first time I cleaned everything up and re-installed it all it still leaked. Yuck.
My speedometer stopped working again. I pulled the drive and the gear has once again come off the shaft. I don't know what I'm going to do to fix that.
Next, I have a thermostat leak. I took the whole world apart Saturday to get to it. I found the IAC was broken off and held on with mechanic's wire. I had to chisel it out to replace it. The throttle body gasket fell to pieces and no auto parts stores had one, some some felpro cork gasket material took its place for now. Once I have that leak fixed I'll be much happier. The bottom hose that runs to the throttle body split and blew a hole in it as well, so now the throttle body is bypassed and a new, blue silicone hose goes from the intake straight over to the heater control valve.
Gotta take the world apart again to get back at that thermostat gasket. The first time I cleaned everything up and re-installed it all it still leaked. Yuck.
04-13-2013, 06:55 AM
#61
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Casselberry, FLA
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
My thermostat gasket replacement failed miserably. I can't believe how badly the seal is on the lower manifold flange area. I had to file down the outlet cover to make it flat again, and I guess I'll have to do that on the lower manifold too. I'm beginning to understand why the previous owner had nothing but 4 pounds of rtv there.
05-01-2013, 04:32 AM
#62
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Casselberry, FLA
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
Update!
I found out the REAL reason that the thermostat gasket housing was leaking a few days ago, when I tore it apart AGAIN.
As the photo shows, the housing was cracked. When I put the super-duper, high dollar Fel-Pro gasket on it and tightened it down, it broke all the way through. Boy was I happy.
I did a quick run through on craigslist and found a guy in Bushnell that had a few parted out 3rd gens, and he just happened to have another housing on an 87 Z28, maybe. I drove out there to investigate and he did have one so I picked it up and headed home. While I was there I also snagged a L/F fender from a 92 Heritage edition Z28 to replace my smashed one. I'm gonna be ready for paint soon!
I found out the REAL reason that the thermostat gasket housing was leaking a few days ago, when I tore it apart AGAIN.
As the photo shows, the housing was cracked. When I put the super-duper, high dollar Fel-Pro gasket on it and tightened it down, it broke all the way through. Boy was I happy.
I did a quick run through on craigslist and found a guy in Bushnell that had a few parted out 3rd gens, and he just happened to have another housing on an 87 Z28, maybe. I drove out there to investigate and he did have one so I picked it up and headed home. While I was there I also snagged a L/F fender from a 92 Heritage edition Z28 to replace my smashed one. I'm gonna be ready for paint soon!
05-01-2013, 04:41 AM
#63
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Casselberry, FLA
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
I picked up my "new" thermostat housing and began to prep it for the process of becoming a permanent edition to my project. It is one of the ugliest examples I have ever used on a daily driver.
After a little filing and some RTV, its installed and has been sealing happily for a few days now. Hopefully that's the end of it.
A new interesting problem is that since I replaced the IAC and the throttle body gasket the car barely idles above 500 when its cold and first started. In fact, for the first minute or so you MUST have your foot on the throttle or it will not stay running. After that, it idles rough and low until it starts to warm up a little bit. I guess I will live with it for now. No vacuum leaks, so I am taking the good over the bad.
Oh yeah, the A/C stopped again. Now I have to get the blackout light and find the leak. Yeah!
While I had the hood up, I went ahead and did that brake spring mod to the combination valve that has been discussed at length on the brake board. I am very happy to report that this car feels much better after the mod. Those aluminum drums are earning their pay now!
I got my air compressor running, so next up is the fender swap and the budget repaint. I've got finals this week so I guess it will take me a few more days before I can progress any further on this car.
After a little filing and some RTV, its installed and has been sealing happily for a few days now. Hopefully that's the end of it.
A new interesting problem is that since I replaced the IAC and the throttle body gasket the car barely idles above 500 when its cold and first started. In fact, for the first minute or so you MUST have your foot on the throttle or it will not stay running. After that, it idles rough and low until it starts to warm up a little bit. I guess I will live with it for now. No vacuum leaks, so I am taking the good over the bad.
Oh yeah, the A/C stopped again. Now I have to get the blackout light and find the leak. Yeah!
While I had the hood up, I went ahead and did that brake spring mod to the combination valve that has been discussed at length on the brake board. I am very happy to report that this car feels much better after the mod. Those aluminum drums are earning their pay now!
I got my air compressor running, so next up is the fender swap and the budget repaint. I've got finals this week so I guess it will take me a few more days before I can progress any further on this car.
05-01-2013, 04:59 AM
#64
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Guilford, Connecticut
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 1988 IROC-Z camaro
Engine: 355 TPI
Transmission: tko 500
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 3.31 posi pbr brakes
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
A new interesting problem is that since I replaced the IAC and the throttle body gasket the car barely idles above 500 when its cold and first started. In fact, for the first minute or so you MUST have your foot on the throttle or it will not stay running. After that, it idles rough and low until it starts to warm up a little bit. I guess I will live with it for now. No vacuum leaks, so I am taking the good over the bad.
.
05-01-2013, 11:41 AM
#65
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Casselberry, FLA
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
I'm embarrassed to say that I have not. I will certainly investigate that and do it after I finish my CCNA homework.
Thanks!
Thanks!
08-29-2013, 06:33 PM
#66
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Casselberry, FLA
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
Well, I've been working tons of overtime and I'm daily driving the IROC about 1/2 the time and my Firebird the other half. The IROC is doing well, and I guess I'll have to finish fixing it up now!
I've got my replacement fender prepped and ready to install. Door hinges have to happen very soon...
I've got my replacement fender prepped and ready to install. Door hinges have to happen very soon...
07-18-2014, 09:50 AM
#67
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Casselberry, FLA
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: My Florida IROC-Z project, here we go!
Well, its time for an update.
Due to certain economic factors, I have had to switch jobs a few times since my last post. The IROC has been taken off the road for now and is currently a "back burner" project. In the interim, it has become a parts car / test mule for parts for my new 85 Trans Am that was not supposed to come home. The crappy throttle body setup has been swapped with an even worse piece from the Trans Am and it no longer starts. I am saving for a rebuild of the throttle body to get it reconditioned and re-bushed so that it will be back to factory beautiful. It also briefly donated the ECM while I was re-wiring my Trans Am to run the IROC ECM (the 85 ECM and MAF setup is awful) and turn it into a daily driver. I then picked up a used 87 IROC TPI vin F ECM and the Camaro got its brain back.
I did score a set of 16" IROC wheels so the car is building up a few more parts to get back up and going. When I get the tires mounted and put them on, a few more pictures will come.
Due to certain economic factors, I have had to switch jobs a few times since my last post. The IROC has been taken off the road for now and is currently a "back burner" project. In the interim, it has become a parts car / test mule for parts for my new 85 Trans Am that was not supposed to come home. The crappy throttle body setup has been swapped with an even worse piece from the Trans Am and it no longer starts. I am saving for a rebuild of the throttle body to get it reconditioned and re-bushed so that it will be back to factory beautiful. It also briefly donated the ECM while I was re-wiring my Trans Am to run the IROC ECM (the 85 ECM and MAF setup is awful) and turn it into a daily driver. I then picked up a used 87 IROC TPI vin F ECM and the Camaro got its brain back.
I did score a set of 16" IROC wheels so the car is building up a few more parts to get back up and going. When I get the tires mounted and put them on, a few more pictures will come.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LT1Formula
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
7
10-08-2015 08:34 PM
