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Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on starting?
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Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on starting?
Well, i picked up a 83 t top transam, has the 305 cfi/auto/4w disc brakes...
Car was parked in 1991 in a garage, and sat in there until i bought it this past friday, had never even seen daylight.
Car is 100% original, i have every piece of documentation since new, including all dealer promo stuff, and paperwork, original sales ad, etc etc.
I trailer'd this home, and put it inside my shop, its currently sitting with the windows down and the tops off to air out....
I am going to go try and get the engine running again, The original owner i bought it from, assured me it ran when parked, her husband died, and the car never seen daylight after that.
Gas is obviously going to need drained, i bought fresh oil/filter and plugs for it, I plan on pulling the plugs and filling the cyls with marvel mystery oil, and letting it sit for a day or so.
I'm questioning if i want to pull the distributor and spin the pump over with my drill, but i really dont wanna deal with retiming the thing, and im not sure my drill will fit up against the cowl anyways.
Anyone have any insight? things to look at involving the CFI before i crank it over?
I hooked a jump box to it to get the windows down, and while everything worked, it wasnt enough for the starter to engage, so i have a new battery for it (there isnt one in it currently)
heres a few pics of the car, and my daughter and son (it's going to be my sons car, daughter has an 83 z28) It's filthy in the pics, i havent washed it yet, I will be doing that, and a claybar/buff after i get the motor going, or at least find out if its a boat anchor or not lol
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
Patience will be key, everything you mentioned I agree with. I would do my best to pull the dist and prime that engine. I would also invest in a "bore scope" or simply a camera with the attachments to look into the spark plug holes. They are fairly cheap these days. I would check each cylinder and try to get into the intake. You want to make sure nothing has been calling it home before you turn it over. Also try to rotate that engine manually before cranking on the starter. Check engine and trans fluid for water. I would change the engine oil before I started it. Interesting find, cant wait to see how it turns out.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
Does it show any signs of critter infestation?
I would pull the plugs, peek in the cylinders if you are able, then spray oil into each cylinder, & with a breaker bar on the crank see if it will rotate. If it does at all (hopefully), turn it a bit & respray the cylinders & turn it the opposite direction. For sure stop & rotate the opposite direction if you feel any resistance & even if you don't I would work it back & forth with added oil. If you do have mice that made a home in the cylinders, your probably at least pulling the heads. Mouse pee in there would have things really rusted up. If you don't want to pull the distributor & you can get the engine to turn 360 degree's. you could spin it over with no plugs & let it build up the oil pressure. Just watch the oil gauge & make sure its climbing up. Just don't over heat the starter.
On higher performance engines, thats a standard procedure. Get the oil press up from cranking, then add the spark & fuel.
I wouldn't change the oil until you can turn it by hand, but before cranking.
I would change the antifreeze, but not until it starts. No point throwing fluids away if things have to come apart.
Just my opinion of coarse, others will have ideas too & you can see what makes the most sense to you.
Also depending on how much oil you get in the holes, its might spray it back in the engine bay, but thats no big deal imo as long as the kids aren't hanging over the engine bay.
can always clean that up later.
Other big question is the fuel tank. Hopefully you can just drain it & refill with a new filter. But could be some big unknowns in the tank I'm thinking. At least there was no ethanol crap in 1991, so it should be rusted to heck from that crap.
You might want to pull the fuel pump fuse before turning the key on & re-install it once the tank is proved to look good & fuel & filter is replaced.
Very cool find, post more picts when you can!
Last edited by F-body-fan; 02-26-2017 at 06:58 AM.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
Today's fuel is going to raise hell with the fuel system.
And all the plastics are probably brittle by now. Expect them
to break at the slightest touch, especially the hard plastic
vacuum lines under the hood. If they do snap, just use a piece of
rubber line between the ends to get you running. You can replace them later.
Today's motor oils are not what they were either. Your engine has a hydraulic
flat tappet camshaft. Make sure to use an oil with the proper levels of ZDDP,
or use an additive. Some Marvel Mystery Oil won't hurt either.
Use some sort of vinyl/rubber/plastic rejuvenator on the interior parts.
I would securely jack up the rear end once you get it running so you can put it
in gear to circulate all the fluids before driving it.
Good luck.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
You should expect the valve seals to be brittle, and therefore leak.
At least 1/2 of the valve springs were compressed for the past 26 years.
Expect them to be weak. If it has trouble revving over 3500 rpm, without
some other cause, then this is the problem. Replace the springs and seals.
They are not expensive and the job can be done in a weekend.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
Good advice from F-body-fan. Follow it. DISABLE THE FUEL PUMP FIRST! I would pull the plugs, peek in the cylinders if you are able, then spray oil into each cylinder,
& with a breaker bar on the crank see if it will rotate. If it does at all (hopefully), turn it a bit
& respray the cylinders & turn it the opposite direction. For sure stop & rotate the opposite
direction if you feel any resistance & even if you don't I would work it back & forth with added oil.
If you don't want to pull the distributor & you can get the engine to turn 360 degrees, you could
spin it over with no plugs & let it build up the oil pressure. Just watch the oil gauge & make sure
its climbing up. Just don't over heat the starter.
Get the oil press up from cranking, then add the spark & fuel.
I wouldn't change the oil until you can turn it by hand, but before cranking.
I would change the antifreeze, but not until it starts. No point throwing fluids away if things have to come apart.
Other big question is the fuel tank. Hopefully you can just drain it & refill with a new filter. Pull the fuel pump fuse before turning the key on & re-install it once the tank is proved
to look good & fuel & filter is replaced.
Last edited by NoEmissions84TA; 02-26-2017 at 08:04 PM.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
I will be posting more pics most likely tmrw, today was spent getting my new toolbox, and some other various shop related stuff.
Here's the backstory on the car.
Guy and his wife came into money in 1983, they bought the transam, a virago? motorcycle, a house, and a truck with the funds. in sept/oct of 1990 they drove the car to a family function, and a family member backed into the drivers fender, the insurance was out, and they wouldnt cover it, So the car was parked as the guy refused to drive it with the dinged up fender, while they were trying to save money to repair the car, in march of 1991, the guy went into cardiac arrest, and never made it home, when the wife came home she locked the car up, put a cover over the motorcycle, and locked the garage.
Thursday i went to go look at the car, and it was the first time the cars seen daylight since 1991. It fought us every step of the way loading it onto my trailer, brakes were pretty froze up, tires were flat, snapped my winch line twice trying to pull it on the trailer, ended up having to use a comealong to get it on the trailer, I jokingly said to the wife that i didnt think her husband wanted the car to leave, had to assure her i didnt mean to offend her, I just lost my dad in march of last year, so we spoke about that for awhile. seeing the car go upset her, but she was happy knowing it was going to a good home, and it would be on the road again, My 3 year old son was going bonkers, and kept begging to drive it. that made her happy, and she said her husband would approve.
the car fought us some more getting it on the trailer, while using the comealong, the ratchet mechanism broke, we had to juryrig it to get the car all the way on the trailer.
While going through it, my wife found insurance cards, with the expiration date showing 1991, but the car didnt have collision coverage past september since they didnt drive it.
There's a bunch of NOS parts in the hatch that the guy had planned on putting on the car for maintenance, brakes and some other misc things, i havent looked through all of it. The original air filters are in a box, for the GM replacement filters that are in the car currently, the original filters still look new.
As of now, my plan is the following for tomorrow.
pulling the pump fuse, and the ECM/IGN fuse
pulling the plugs out, and the air cleaner off
draining fuel tank and replacing fuel filter
squirting marvel mystery oil down the Throttle bodies, and into each plug hole, and letting it sit in my heated shop most likely overnight, tuesday im going to put a breaker bar on the crank pulley and see if she will spin over, if it does, more marvel, and more sitting.
as long as that goes well, and the motor spins freely, it's getting fresh gas, fresh oil/filter and turning the key and crossing my fingers. i really dont have any doubts that its going to run..
If it starts and runs and will maintain an idle, im probably going to let it run for a few minutes to circulate oil thouroughly, and then drain every fluid throughout the car. after that, i will see if the trans will operate or not, if the trans seems to work on the jackstands, i'll tackle the brakes after that, then i need to find a set of rims/tires to put on it for a test drive, the factory goodyear GT radials have seen better days, ive found a few lines on replacement GT radials, so those will likely go on.
I will post more pics of the car tomorrow when im out in the shop, here's one more pic from where it was parked in the garage, I was working by myself mainly, with my 3 year old son with me,so i didnt get the chance to take many pics, i bought the car dolly's to move the car over as it was sitting where you see it in the photo, and obviously, couldnt pull it straight out
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
So cool!
Cars and houses (I'm a contractor) either want to be fixed or not. Some will fight you with every nut & nail. When I sold my 68 GTO, a car I had owned for nearly 20 years, I had to drag it out of the garage like a dog trying to avoid a bath!
Good luck with the car, hopefully the mood changes and it accepts you. Be patient.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
Call me crazy(been called worse, lol), but it's a Chevy motor. I'd have a little more faith in the old girl... myself, I'd use a breaker bar to see if the motor spins. If it does, throw a battery in, disconnect the fuel line to pump the old gas out, change the fuel filter, dump some new gas in, and crank it. $50 says it'll fire You're probably gonna rebuild everything on the car anyway, right? If it doesn't spin by hand, then you got more work than a simple tune-up...
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
Update, throttle bodies are frozen solid, and i cant get them to budge at all.. BUT...she runs! on starting fluid at least, i put marvel in the cyls, let it sit almost all day, put a breaker on the crank and it spun over pretty easily, put the ignition fuse back in, and a couple shots of ether, it fired right up, i did that two or three times to see if it was gonna rattle or not, and it was whisper quiet, with 60psi of oil pressure.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
Originally Posted by 83transamcfi
Update, throttle bodies are frozen solid, and i cant get them to budge at all.. BUT...she runs! on starting fluid at least, i put marvel in the cyls, let it sit almost all day, put a breaker on the crank and it spun over pretty easily, put the ignition fuse back in, and a couple shots of ether, it fired right up, i did that two or three times to see if it was gonna rattle or not, and it was whisper quiet, with 60psi of oil pressure.
You might want to consider rebuilding the TBs. It's not that hard of a job.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
i have purchased new ones, bought an entire CFI setup from ebay. I will be going through the stockers though, anyone have any links on rebuilding them? anyone know how to jump the fuel pump on these? or where the pump relay is?
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
Originally Posted by zya5point0
Awesome! Told ya it would start
it needs alot of help, the CFI is useless as is.
here's a few more pics though, Im in the process of moving my shop around and doing a ton of cleaning, so the cars not getting much attention, as im waiting on a CFI setup to get here.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
I thought this last pic was pretty cool, the seats have indentations from the buckle laying on them for so damn long, My CFI setup hopefully is shipping tmrw, ill be tossing that on whenever it gets here, in the meantime, I'm going to drain the tank tomorrow, and change the fuel filter. Here's hoping it will run on it's own here soon.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
Originally Posted by 83transamcfi
i have purchased new ones, bought an entire CFI setup from ebay. I will be going through the stockers though, anyone have any links on rebuilding them? anyone know how to jump the fuel pump on these? or where the pump relay is?
It is a pretty straight forward rebuild on the throttle bodies. Just take your time taking them apart so you know how it goes back together. I found a good pictorial online somewhere. You can also get the injectors sonic cleaned and they will be good as new. Check Ebay for the rebuild kits. The fuel pump relay is on the firewall above the brake booster. Plan on dropping the tank and swapping in a new pump for good measure. Get yourself a TPI pump from a 1985 Corvette to boost pressure a bit. The TBI units like a little more pressure then the factory style TBI pump can put out. Don't worry about feeding it too much pressure as the regulator in the TBI units will compensate.
Last edited by 82tarecaro; 02-28-2017 at 07:28 PM.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
Originally Posted by 82tarecaro
It is a pretty straight forward rebuild on the throttle bodies. Just take your time taking them apart so you know how it goes back together. I found a good pictorial online somewhere. You can also get the injectors sonic cleaned and they will be good as new. Check Ebay for the rebuild kits. The fuel pump relay is on the firewall above the brake booster. Plan on dropping the tank and swapping in a new pump for good measure. Get yourself a TPI pump from a 1985 Corvette to boost pressure a bit. The TBI units like a little more pressure then the factory style TBI pump can put out. Don't worry about feeding it too much pressure as the regulator in the TBI units will compensate.
was really hoping to not have to pull the tank. my plan of action right now is to drain whatevers in it (gauge reads empty), and flush the tank with fresh fuel with some marvel myst oil mixed in,empty that crap out, and run it in the mowers/my daughters quad. then its getting ten gallons of fresh junk, and a fresh filter.
Honestly, if i cant get this CFI running correctly, or it wont run right with new throttle bodies and fresh fuel, I doubt im going to invest much money into trying to correct the problem.
Originally Posted by kymmee
Congrats on the find. Looks like a great car, the interior looks extremely nice.
thanks buddy. i think the exterior will clean up, i just havent put any time into that so far id rather it be running, or know its going to run, without much issue, before investing the time into making it look better lol.
for those interested, Here's one of my other toys.
1981 Turbo transam, 32k miles, built 301 turbo, with EFI.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
From a long time owner of an 82, let me give you some advice on the CFI, it will never run perfect, but you can get pretty close, I have a low mile car that runs quite well, and it was not without some work:
1. pull the TBI's off, have a carb shop re bush the TBI units, use a rebuild kit on them, its easy, but have a good carb shop re-bush the units, don't replace them with something else, these things never had bushings from the factory and if they have 20k miles they are shot. I have seen a lot of these on eBay, and I would just do a rebuild, unless they can't be un-frozen, but the units have to be re-bushed
2. get the felpro gasket kit for the lid of the intake, replace it
3. replace with the 85 pump, that will be fun, as the tank has to be dropped - you may consider replacing the sender as well, hawks has them
4. replace the vacuum lines
5. build a water manometer, and adjust the tbi's using the shop service manual, set the TPS
6. check the evap solenoid by the drivers side headlight, it needs to be replaced most likely
7. fuel pressure, this motor will absolutely not run correctly unless it has 14 lbs of fuel pressure under load, you may need to get a new spring for the regulator, a 15lb spring is what I use
8. replace the coolant sensor under the thermostat by the alternator, go with the two wire unit
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
I am not sure where you got new throttle bodies, but I would work with the ones on the car. They don't have many miles, and as throttle bodies get old, they develop wear on the metal around the shafts and have to be rebushed. Yours should be like new. That's why I mentioned a rebuild kit to change the soft parts.
Any time you have something sitting that long, you need to replace all the parts of the fuel system that will not work when gummed up with old fuel. You may get the car running with the original pump, but it probably won't put out enough pressure, and it will affect how it runs. A fuel pump is a hundred bucks and half a day's work.
Tourag gave you all good info. I went through all of that on my car to get it running properly.
Last edited by 82tarecaro; 03-01-2017 at 12:01 PM.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
Originally Posted by 82tarecaro
I am not sure where you got new throttle bodies, but I would work with the ones on the car. They don't have many miles, and as throttle bodies get old, they develop wear on the metal around the shafts and have to be rebushed. Yours should be like new. That's why I mentioned a rebuild kit to change the soft parts.
Any time you have something sitting that long, you need to replace all the parts of the fuel system that will not work when gummed up with old fuel. You may get the car running with the original pump, but it probably won't put out enough pressure, and it will affect how it runs. A fuel pump is a hundred bucks and half a day's work.
Tourag gave you all good info. I went through all of that on my car to get it running properly.
my throttle bodies are literally frozen solid, they will NOT move at all, they have been soaking in PB blaster, and marvel oil...and show zero signs of freeing up.
I didnt buy new throttle bodies, i bought a whole intake/tb/aircleaner setup off ebay from a running car, i will be putting those throttle bodies on the car to get it running, and go from there.
This motor hasnt ran for more than 10 seconds, as of now i have no idea if its going to start rod knocking when it warms up, etc etc..
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
Originally Posted by 83transamcfi
my throttle bodies are literally frozen solid, they will NOT move at all, they have been soaking in PB blaster, and marvel oil...and show zero signs of freeing up.
I didnt buy new throttle bodies, i bought a whole intake/tb/aircleaner setup off ebay from a running car, i will be putting those throttle bodies on the car to get it running, and go from there.
This motor hasnt ran for more than 10 seconds, as of now i have no idea if its going to start rod knocking when it warms up, etc etc..
OK - I see your point. Hopefully the engine is fine.You might need to disassemble the throttle bodies and let them soak in something.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
No real updates on the car, My CFI setup has been shipped, hoping it gets here soon, i am sending the throttle bodies off to get rebuilt after putting them on the car and seeing if it will run on its own, any suggestions on where to send them to get bushings installed?
Worked on the shop today organizing and cleaning (just bought this house in october, so everythings a chaotic mess)
Also worked on getting my new toolbox filled up?
I know some will look down on my new husky box, and mostly HF tools, But I've got a fullsize sears box full of old school craftsman (the good craftsman) that was my dads box That i bought him for christmas when i was like 10, He passed last year, So ive been hesitant to use the craftsman tools, dont wanna really risk breaking any of it, since the new **** they give you is garbage, But the husky box for the money, CANT be beat, and ive YET to have an issue with any HF hand tools, my precision stuff like tq wrenches are digital snapons, but the basic stuff...I like the HF brand, cheap, strong, and lifetime warranty cant be beat, Plus, just leaves more money for the cars!
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
I have a mixture of SK, mac, snap-on & craftsman from over the years. A job I had in the early 90's involved the tool truck guys stopping in the shop & every time I would walk through their trucks I would usually buy something... But, most Craftsman tools have always been pretty good for the money imo. Now with the recent sale of the craftsman brand to Stanley I don't see the tools getting better. The name will get used to market the tools, but I am guessing the quality will slide away.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
An organized tool box is the sign of a sick mind.
Two good friends of mine passed recently and at the request of their families, we spread the tools out to all of the guys they knew. Now they "help" us every time we use their tools. Might be nice to get some help from your ol' man every once in a while.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
Originally Posted by F-body-fan
I have a mixture of SK, mac, snap-on & craftsman from over the years. A job I had in the early 90's involved the tool truck guys stopping in the shop & every time I would walk through their trucks I would usually buy something... But, most Craftsman tools have always been pretty good for the money imo. Now with the recent sale of the craftsman brand to Stanley I don't see the tools getting better. The name will get used to market the tools, but I am guessing the quality will slide away.
Unfortunately, when Craftsman started manufacturing tools in China, the quality went down anyway. Sears is a sinking ship. At least the Craftsman name will live on.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
NICE SCORE !!!!!! to bad I didn't pick up that car on my "Radar". I know someone who would have had "Special plans" for that car lol .
And looking at your truck tag, See your in Illinois ??
Regarding the LU5 crossfire, Like the guys said its a "PICKY" engine lol. I lost count on the funny reactions over the years when I have told car guys, Auto shop instructors, ASE tech and YES GM corporate employees that I had a original running crossfire car lol
My 82 T/A LU5 has 83K original miles and was idling like crap. I recently replaced the fuel cap and new oil cap, all AC/delco parts and its running GREAT now.
And I did the TPI fuel pump mod 10 years ago and it helped with fuel PSI and performance. STRONGLY suggest getting a Delco pump !!! I scored mine new in the box on the bay for $75 shipped
Like most others i'm subbing this
Dave
Last edited by 3rdgenparts; 03-02-2017 at 12:01 PM.
Re: Barn find 1983 CFI transam, sitting since 1991, 19k orig miles, opinions on start
The LU5 has the potential to run horribly with vacuum leaks, (mostly on the top plate of the intake), but once sorted, will run reliably and be less finicky than your average carbureted car.
02-25-2017, 11:25 PM
If you don't want to pull the distributor & you can get the engine to turn 360 degree's. you could spin it over with no plugs & let it build up the oil pressure. Just watch the oil gauge & make sure its climbing up. Just don't over heat the starter. 
.