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Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
back to a new alignment shop who assured me they could align it. they called me and said the wheel bearings need to be repacked before they can align it. the driver side bearings are new but I didn't go back after driving a while and check end play. I didn't realize I was supposed to. so I will pack both sides and take it back for a third freaking attempt for an alignment. im moving now so this is really annoying as I have zero time.
Got all the wires plugged back in, filtered the fuel I pulled from the old tank and put in the new tank. New rear shocks and sway bar links. Fired up pretty easy, then saw the fountain of fuel coming out of the rear end lines. Easy enough repair since I have extra 3/8" and 5/16" tube and a bender. Just need to wait on my fittings to arrive and rectify that safety hazard. After that rear tires back on and we are ready to see how she flies with the new headers, cat-back, and clean fuel tank/strainer/pickup! Might even have a working fuel gauge too now, which would make them ALL working!
Started hearing a loud clunk on hard takeoffs so I figured it was time to replace the transmission mount. Sure enough, the old mount was dried out and split. It basically fell apart when I took it out. I replaced it with the Energy Suspension 3.1142 poly mount. Installation was a little more difficult than it should have been, and I ended up having to enlarge the center crossmember slot to get the bolt holes to line up.
Once I got everything back together I took it for a test drive. No clunk on WOT takeoffs from a stop or from low speeds. The car felt noticeably tighter on hard acceleration. And I did not notice any of the dreaded increase in driveline vibration others have experienced. I left the preload plate that came in the ES kit out even though the installation instructions said specifically to use it. The mount height without the plate was very close to the height of the old mount.
Finally started working on my Iroc again. Replaced the starter for like the 3rd time in 6 months. This one is supposed to not need any shims. So far its working.
The engine needs some TLC. I noticed half the rockers are loose so I'm going to tighten them up today. Already pulled the plugs. They needed replaced anyway, new wires too.
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I'm looking at getting new valve covers. The ****stick before me left the baffles off so it gets oil everywhere, plus they're so tall I need to remove the wiper motor cover to pull the driver's side off.
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The Edelbrock headers are in bad shape, too. I've already pulled them off and welded up a few cracks on the collector. I think its time for new ones while the cars apart. Just debating between Doug's shorties or the long tubes. I'd love long tubes but they're a pain on a normal car, I read these cars are extra fun.
Got to actually drive it and accelerate at a respectable rate without damn near stalling out on the highway. New fuel tank/sender/sock and some line repair helped that. Got to enjoy the sound of my headers and catback as I took the local on-ramp.
Took mine around the block today and the new engine isn’t running right, slight miss at idle, stumble off idle, and is breaking up at around 3500rpm.
Checked the plugs and they looked fine, gonna gap them to .035 tomorrow and see if anything changes. Checked the valve lash on the drivers side bank, gonna do the pass side tomorrow.
Turned the distributor a little in both directions and the problem remained no matter where I set the distributor.
Starting to wonder if the cheapo Chinese msd streetfire distributor or the old 6al box is causing any issues. I kinda wanna ditch the msd dizzy and 6al box for just a DUI hei distributor to simplify the set up. I don’t think my carbd 383 is seeing too much of a benefit from the 6al anyways. Anyone have any opinions on this idea?
Took mine around the block today and the new engine isn’t running right, slight miss at idle, stumble off idle, and is breaking up at around 3500rpm.
Checked the plugs and they looked fine, gonna gap them to .035 tomorrow and see if anything changes. Checked the valve lash on the drivers side bank, gonna do the pass side tomorrow.
Turned the distributor a little in both directions and the problem remained no matter where I set the distributor.
Starting to wonder if the cheapo Chinese msd streetfire distributor or the old 6al box is causing any issues. I kinda wanna ditch the msd dizzy and 6al box for just a DUI hei distributor to simplify the set up. I don’t think my carbd 383 is seeing too much of a benefit from the 6al anyways. Anyone have any opinions on this idea?
Drove it to work today! Great springtime weather here I plan to drive it more and hit some shows in the next few weeks.
Jealous!
It's been beautiful and sunny here the last couple of days. But my collector car policy is set up for storage through March. So I can't really take it out until 4/1.
It's been beautiful and sunny here the last couple of days. But my collector car policy is set up for storage through March. So I can't really take it out until 4/1.
Drove my GTA around the block last night for the first time since October. Forgot how awesome these cars are to drive, even though mine is dying for a suspension overhaul. My insurance is re-activated for April 1st, then it's time to party
Almost needs a new thread of how many people took theirs out last night... Put a solid 50 miles on mine, and had zero mechanical issues last night as well.
When I shopped for a collector policy some years back...5 now I guess...that was a pretty std. deal for an agreed value policy in Michigan. I checked with J.C. Taylor, Grundy, Hagerty, American Collectors, Heacock, Frankenmuth, and probably Farmers. Ended up with Condon Skelly.
Since It's been some years, I should shop it around again. Got a quote from a Hagerty agent at a swap meet this winter. Way more money. But thanks for the reminder to check around.
drove the car for the first time in about two weeks. it was bitter sweet. the car is in desperate need of a new radiator. I bought a replacement and it didn't fit so im running a badly leaking unit. I received replacement radiator number 2 just this afternoon. im still moving but I am hoping to get it installed tomorrow.. might even start tonight if I get stir crazy. I have been searching the net to help me decide what the ultimate plan on the motor is going to be. it runs well but is showing its age. there is no rush to replace it but I would rather have a plan ahead of time than have a dead bird in my driveway. I was planning to refresh and hop up the 305. I know a lot of people don't like them but its a peppy motor and with a few goodies and a good tune it will have plenty of go for a daily drover. I came across a dream motor. 375hp and 400lb/ft. that's a power level that makes me drool a little. research broke my heart though. its a carb only motor with no cam sensor. I was planning to keep the throttle body but if this motor is as good as it seems I may have to get an fit or sniper system that doesn't use a cam sensor. just not sure. right now Im still working on leaks and suspension.. got to keep dreaming though
welp.. fail number 2684. I pulled the leaking radiator and compared it to the new one. the new one was much thicker. im guessing its a multi row unit even though it like the first replacement was listed as a direct replacement. I was able to get it in the hole and all of the fittings bolted in. however the top radiator mount/fan bracket doesn't fit. it HAS to fit because its the fan mount. im going to make temporary mount (aka zip ties) so I can drive the car this week and next week end I will bend up some real mounts. im annoyed guys. im in the middle of a real losing streak here. I need a win. cant get it aligned, cant get the fan switch working, cant get the radiator in right. im a little down but I will get it.
welp.. fail number 2684. I pulled the leaking radiator and compared it to the new one. the new one was much thicker. im guessing its a multi row unit even though it like the first replacement was listed as a direct replacement. I was able to get it in the hole and all of the fittings bolted in. however the top radiator mount/fan bracket doesn't fit. it HAS to fit because its the fan mount. im going to make temporary mount (aka zip ties) so I can drive the car this week and next week end I will bend up some real mounts. im annoyed guys. im in the middle of a real losing streak here. I need a win. cant get it aligned, cant get the fan switch working, cant get the radiator in right. im a little down but I will get it.
Don't let it get to you Evilokc, it is just parts to a car, you will get it sorted. Try to focus on one thing at a time, like getting the radiator set.
okay. jegs replied to my email about the non fitting "direct fit" radiator. they said sorry we will take it back. I called and explained to them in a calm but politely annoyed way that direct fit mean it should fit and "we will take it back" wasn't exactly what I was looking for. I asked them to make it right by overnighting me a radiator that would actually fit , take this one back, and change the add on there site to say requires custom mounts. they agreed to the return and the overnighting at their cost but didn't say anything about changing the add. im annoyed but as usual will regroup and prevail. viva la firebird!!
I seem to remember having a similar snafu with either Jegs or Summit over a radiator.
Getting ready to attempt to install the Doug's LTs I have. I jacked the front end up on the biggest stands I have (~18-20") Hopefully thats high enough because my jack doesn't go much higher.
I hope these go in and everything fits great, but I'm anticipating some issues. Hopefully they don't involve grinding the control arm mount away. Not a fan of that.
I managed to get both longtube headers on my car without having to chop any pieces off. Just had to re-route the passenger side brake line. Man I was dreading doing this install since I got the car and read all the horror stories. Now to get the rest of the car buttoned up.
victory is mine! I still think I need to have a serious talk to summit and all the aftermarket parts people about the definition of "direct fit". I got the champion radiator today and immediately went after it. the radiator is beautiful but in our cars they are completely covered so it doesn't matter. it didn't quite fit. I wasn't sure why but it wasn't sitting down low enough. after installing and removing it about 7 times I noticed the bottom rubber isolators were sitting funny. the shape of the bottom of this radiator is slightly different than the stock. I pulled them out and took a razor to them and it sat down correctly. I had to do the same thing to the top rubber. the quality of this radiator shows in the npt fittings though. smooth as silk. not leaking and running 185 degrees.
victory is mine! I still think I need to have a serious talk to summit and all the aftermarket parts people about the definition of "direct fit". I got the champion radiator today and immediately went after it. the radiator is beautiful but in our cars they are completely covered so it doesn't matter. it didn't quite fit. I wasn't sure why but it wasn't sitting down low enough. after installing and removing it about 7 times I noticed the bottom rubber isolators were sitting funny. the shape of the bottom of this radiator is slightly different than the stock. I pulled them out and took a razor to them and it sat down correctly. I had to do the same thing to the top rubber. the quality of this radiator shows in the npt fittings though. smooth as silk. not leaking and running 185 degrees.
Awesome. Glad you finally got that one figured out.
Pulled the msd box out of the car, pulled all the plugs, adjusted valve lash, and set the car to cylinder one tdc in anticipation of the new distributor.
Can anyone give me an analysis on how my plugs look? The left one is cylinder two and the right one is cylinder one.
I repacked the wheel bearings on one side of my front end in anticipation of having it aligned. I will do the other side in the next day of two and then take it to be aligned on Saturday. drove the car to work today after letting it sit for about 3 weeks while I tried to get the radiator fixed. felt good
This morning and Installed the drive shaft loop on the IROC, so it'd be legal for the drag strip. I couldn't figure any way to be inside the car on the lift and under it at the same time, so I had to call my buddy over to help. It's tight under there with the Strange Drive shaft and dual exhaust, but I had a good finger or two between the loop and the drive shaft and it passed the launch test with no scary noises. The seats had to come out, so It was about a three hour job, with only one boo boo.
packed the passenger side wheel bearings. it was a mess in there. the grease was transforming into something between grease and rubber. I cleaned it all out and packed in fresh grease. packing bearings isn't difficult. its tightening the nut that you have t be careful with. I got them both right on. im pleased with the days work. hoping this means it can go back to the alignment shop this coming week
Installed stereo, re-wired all four speakers. New fronts on order since they are blown out. Rears seem OK for now. Chased my tail for 2-3 hours wondering why it worked before I put the last bit of drivers side trim in. Turns out if you manage to put a screw through a speaker wire and ground/short it out, NONE of the speakers will work... at least on the Kenwood unit I have. But now I have audio for the first time since owning it!
hey everybody, i'm new to forum and just figuring out how to use it. i apologize if this is the wrong place to ask but i need some help from some audiophiles. I have an 82' berlinetta stock everything. my speakers are all blown. I have no interest in upgrading my stereo head unit, but i'd like to put in new speakers. I was hoping some of you could recommend some that are a reasonable price. I'm not into putting subs in my trunk or putting in an amp. I just want new speakers with good sound at high volume and strong bass. i'm by no means an audiophile so if yall could dumb it down for me and help me out it would be greatly appreciated. i'm trying to put some in asap i'm in canada and its just getting nice outside in the gta, i'm itching to put my car back on the road for the summer but i can't do it without my tunes it wouldn't feel right aha.
somebody hit me back.
thanks.
The seats in my 2nd gen always sat way too high for me so I finally fixed it a few days ago. I had rigged some 4th gen tracks to work but finally sucked it up and bought actual late 2nd gen tracks ($$$$$$) and it dropped the seats quite a bit. It's like sitting in and driving a different car now that I actually fit without having to lean back! This inspired me to finally try and get the seats in the 3rd gen lower as well and I read that Fiero tracks bolt up and lower it quite a bit, so I ordered some off eBay. Hopefully they really do. I should get them on Tuesday or Wednesday.
I already put 4th gen Firebird seats and tracks in which felt a touch lower than the original 3rd gen seats, but it's not nearly enough. I'm "only" 6' but I think I'm more torso than legs so my head will brush the headliner if I sit in a proper driving position and not leaned back. Between these two cars, I forgot what it was like to actually sit right and not be too high.
hey everybody, i'm new to forum and just figuring out how to use it. i apologize if this is the wrong place to ask but i need some help from some audiophiles. I have an 82' berlinetta stock everything. my speakers are all blown. I have no interest in upgrading my stereo head unit, but i'd like to put in new speakers. I was hoping some of you could recommend some that are a reasonable price. I'm not into putting subs in my trunk or putting in an amp. I just want new speakers with good sound at high volume and strong bass. i'm by no means an audiophile so if yall could dumb it down for me and help me out it would be greatly appreciated. i'm trying to put some in asap i'm in canada and its just getting nice outside in the gta, i'm itching to put my car back on the road for the summer but i can't do it without my tunes it wouldn't feel right aha.
somebody hit me back.
thanks.
03-14-2019, 11:07 AM
That should have blown the output IC. Your model must have a protection circuit - that actually worked.
