Hello, I recently got my 85 Camaro home the other day, and have a few questions. The previous owner (my cousin) said the radiator was cracked. Well it isn't. But the coolant is going somewhere..so this leads me to believe it's a bad head gasket. How would I confirm this? Cylinder leakage test? The motor seems to be burning oil...but not coolant (it's a bluish smoke out the pipe).

Also, I only have the ignition key. Which isn't even needed to start the car. Just turn the ignition and the car starts. This wouldn't be so bad..if I could lock the doors. Where could I get a key for the doors/hatch? Dealer or locksmith? I planned on getting some doors that are in better shape (bottoms are rusted out, and passanger side has big dent). So I might be able to get a key that way..but I would still need one for the hatch. I know I'm going to have to replace the ignition cylinder in the colum for a key to be needed. How hard is this to replace? Will I have to pull the wheel? Thanks

 

check to see if you have coolant in the oil, ignition cyl isnt that hard, you'll need a wheel puller and a lock plate depresser, you need to pull the wheel release the lock plate take a few screws out move the canceling cams to the side and then remove the single bolt that holds the ignition cylinder in place, installation is the opposite of taking it apart. as for the doors and locks i'd go to a junk yard find 2 good doors and take them both with the locks in them and remove the lock cyl from the hatch and take the ignition cyl out so you have a matching set, just make sure of the same year or that they're compatable because the ignition cylinder design changed in 88 or 89 i forget, but they are bigger then the older ones , they'll still work but you'll have to bore the hole out in the column a tad. since you have an 85 i'd look for anything earlier then 89 if thats right.. i dont really remember.. locks out of any f body car will do just fine.

 

As for the security issue, you can get a new replacement ignition lock cylinder at a parts store for right around ten bucks, and a matched set of door/hatch/storage compartment locks for about $35. The fun part is changing them all, especially the doors. You might as well plan on making a day of it, since you'll probably want to clean and lube the window tracks, latch rods, etc. on your new doors, and maybe adjust the window guides to match the installation.

You've already been given good instructions for the ignition lock replacement.

For the coolant question, you can either test compression or test cylinder leakage (preferred), or pressure test the cooling system (better yet). The good thing about pressure testing the system is that you can do it both with a cold and hot engine. Other possible coolant leakage points are the heater core, throttle body (on TPI), intake manifold, and of course all hoses and the water pump (external leaks).

 

OK, thanks for the help. I'll probably get a new ignition cylinder, and new compartment locks. I knew it was going to be fun replacing the door locks. Thanks again.