Hi all,

I just joined these forums because I have an '88 firebird that was my first car in high school, and now it's a few years later and my parents want to donate the thing but I stepped in and offered to get it running and get it out. I'd like this to be a project car since I absolutely love the styling and the lines of the 3rd gen firebird.

I posted about it on i-club where I usually hang out since I drive a WRX http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthr...light=firebird although I'm sure you guys should know a little bit more. I've sure a few of you bought your cars as old junks and restored them.

So I'm looking on advice to get this car started up. Since the rebuilt motor has only 20k on it I really don't think it'll be dead. After I get this car running, I want to get rid of the vibrations at highway speeds. I was thinking that this maybe a problem with old engine/tranny mounts causing excess vibration?

Yeah, so thanks a bunch for helping me get this project off the ground and if you have any questions about Subarus don't hesitate to ask


Thanks,
Ambert

 

what's it doing when it doesn't start? You could try a new batt, plugs maybe. Check the cap rotor and other igntion stuff, if the wires are good. There are a lot of reasons though why a car wouldn't start from what I've read on here and learned...

High vibration.... In the front? The seat of your pants? Could be tires unbalanced. Could be mounts but I would think that would vibrate at all times....driveshaft maybe...I dunno....I'd have my tires balanced before I did anything else to see if that fixed it...

 

check tire pressure and change all the fluids

 

I actually haven't checked up on the car yet. All I know is that my dad went to go crank it and nothing happened, so I'm pretty certain that if I replaced the battery it would start. I'm more concerned about taking care about the car now. The car hasn't been taken that good care of during its lifetime, and since I want to start a project, I'd like to save as many original parts as possible from this point on; I'm mainly getting at tips on reversing the damage from neglect.

Thanks,
Ambert

 

ok in that case replace all fluids, and do tomp's tuneup. you'll have to search for it but its a must do


give it a good wash, and some tlc it'll be fine

 

rust?

 

if its been sitting for 2 years its a good idea to drain all the gas and replace it with fresh stuff, and du a full tune up ... dont forget the pcv valve.... pcv was the problem on an 85 I had that sat for 2.5 years. It would start then quickly die..... was fine after I replaced it... plus a complete tune up.... but change that gas if you can... maybe put in it a lawn mower or something

 

Definately change the gas, oil, and coolant before you even start the thing. You may even want to change trans fluid and filter if it is an auto.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the tips, especially TomP's tuneup.

Yes it's an automatic. Does anyone happen to have a part# for the tranny filter on hand?

 

Pull the plugs before trying to crank it and spray WD40 into each plug hole for about 5 seconds. Then DISCONNECT the coil wire so nothing sparks from the tip of the loose wires. Let sit for about 10 mins, then crank it over (engine will not fire because no spark or plugs in, however this will free any siezed rings and luricate them so they don't break or flip sideways and scour the cylinder wall.

After the above process, of cranking it over three times for about 10 second burst each, put plugs back in, hookup plug wires and coil wire then see what you have.