Hey all, I'm new to the forums. The name is Logan and I'm currently in the army stationed at Fort Lewis in washington state. I am originally from Ohio though any buckeyes fans? I just recently got a '90 Iroc in a trade for another vehicle. And am running into a few issues that I was wondering if someone might have some guidance or maybe could turn me in the right direction. Ok here's a few specs on it.

it's a 350 tpi or so the guy said. I ran the vin though and vin says 305 the guy claims he's not sure now because that's what the last owner told him lol.... so I'm trying to find out if it's not the original and is indeed a 350. I know i can't really tell just by looking at the block sooo. Is there a code somewhere on the block or maybe a sure fire way of telling the difference.

Also I recently did a small tune up.. because car was hesitant and sluggish. I changed distributor cap/rotor, plugs (only 6... I could not access 5 and 7 due to obstructions... any thoughts on this? lol) plug wires, air filters, haven't done fuel filter yet because i haven't got a quick disconnect.. well i test drove it the day i did my tune up and it was running like a champ so i figured maybe the problem was solved. But today it started doing the same thing again, very sluggish and a lot of hesitation and pausing at low speeds mainly in first gear (tranny?) i hope not lol... Could it just be because i still need to get those other plugs and the fuel filter? are there other sources? any info or similar experiences shared would be greatly appreciated.

Also. My instrument panel is acting screwy which leads me to believe a ground is bad somewhere perhaps? It is making weird coffee straining noises off and on to put it short.. and when i do something like turn on a turn signal my voltmeter flickers... what else could it be? anyone know where to start looking first?

Lastly, I really wanna clean my engine bay up it looks like garbage.. is there a safe and or easy or cheap way to go about this? what i mean is there are wires every where etc

Sorry for the long winded post but your info will be greatly appeciated.

(also i will add pictures tonight incase it may help someone in better understanding my issues)

Thanks guys.

 

8th digit of the VIN will tell you what was originally in the car, #8 is a 350, letter F is a 305. Doesn't mean it's one or the other now (many folks do engine swaps, but that will tell you what is came with. Block ID on the driver side, back of block, almost impossible to see behind the driver side head on the block will tell you what it is now.

Get some extensions, a swivel, and squeeze in there to get those last 2 plugs - you have to twist yourself into a pretzel and use a few choice words to get them. Might try from under the car too.

Get that fuel filter changed. Don't need any kind of quick disconnect anything. Take a rag, on the driver side there will be a schraeder valve (looks like a air valve on a tire), wrap the rag around/over that, and press the pin inside the valve with a small phillips head screwdriver to relieve the pressure (rag is to catch the gas - watch eyes). Then change fuel filter driver side under car in front of rear tire - make sure to use two wrenches on it - if it's stiff, spray it with some PB Blaster (available AZ or Advance or Oreilly's, etc.) and try again next day - PB Blaster does wonders for rusted/stuck bolts.

Wiring diags here: http://www.austinthirdgen.org/index.php?pid=19
Might help you with the instrument panel issues.

Engine Bay - go to car wash - spray entire engine bay with Simply Green, or Gunk's engine cleaner, or your choice, wait 10 minutes, and hose it with high pressure hose - just don't hose water up into air intake, and don't spray the exterior paint.

Tons of great info here: https://www.thirdgen.org/technical-articles
here: https://www.thirdgen.org/faq
and here: https://www.thirdgen.org/tech-data

Also, pay attention to the stickies at the tops of each section. And the feature works great!

Welcome to TGO!

 

Cool, Sounds good. Thanks for all of the info! I guess i didn't use enough choice words the last time :P And as far as fuel filter i didnt even get under there to look to be honest hah because someone at work told me i needed a special tool so I got discouraged. But I guess I better get under there and see what I'm workin' with lol. As far as engine bay it definitely needs some cleaning but i was leaning more towards things like removing things that might be unnecessary and moving or rerouting hoses and lines etc to free up room around my valve covers and heads as much as possible. Thanks again though. I'll definitely be perusing through the forum for ways to improve my Iroc

 

Welcome Logan. I have an 89 IROC I am currently redoing as well as my 91 RS. This site is full of great info AND people. If I can be of any help let me know. And thank you very much for your service!

Dave