Ok.
1. I was able to get my car on a lift today, and i noticed quite a few things. 1. the lower coolant line was squished between the wonderbar and the plastic holder. i took the strap holding it there off and unscrewed that holder abit so as to allow room. will this affect anything in an adverse way? the fan has never had that bolt down there so it shouldnt bother it.

2. as i was looking i pushed and pulled on all the reachable bushing and noticed that my TA bushing is shot, so are the LCA and PHR bushings.

3. i noticed that one of the 3 bolts that bolt the PHR brace is sheared off. will that affect much?

Can i use LCA bushings in the PHR? i cant find bushing for that spot only the whole bar.

I couldnt find any other Bent, Rusted, or Broken parts on the car.

Last question. i went to a gathering with the local f-body club and it was only about 30-35 miles on the highway(60~ round trip) at 65mph but i used over a 1/2 tank of gas. now i have a lead foot but shurely even using WOT from every stop couldnt use that much gas that quick could it?

If i should post any of these questions in a different forum just let me know.

 

the way you drive does effect your MPG, I know when i beat the hamsters in my engine (as my friends lovingly call my 2.8 ) I watch the needle drop from full to 3/4's to 1/2 to 1/4 in about 3 or 4 days, thats going from hanford California to Fresno(about 26 miles away) two days in a row, then going to work in Lemmore Ca, about 15 min away from hanford. thats the only reall question i can answer for you :P

 

You should also build an aldl cable. That way, you can see exactly HOW your car is running. For instance, mine at the moment is not registering the intake air temp properly at all. This can and will effect gas mileage Hope this helps.
PS. I built my cable with spare parts.
You need the following:
one mouse, for the connector
one digital device... I used an old cd player. It contained all the parts i needed.
from the device, pull an npn transistor
and a couple of 10k resistors. (3 in fact)
heres the diagram
WinALDL version history
then, just download the software and enjoy MUCH easier diagnosis of all engine management related problems

 

Ive seen that around, and always wondered if that worked for the carbed ecms for the 2.8l... hmmm

 

I diagnose ALL of my ECM related problems without reading live data. I've never read live data from my car. The reason I don't trust it is because the computer lies when it finds out it's getting a bum reading. For instance, if your MAF/MAP sensor goes bad, the computer will substitute values based on TPS voltage and RPM and report those down the data stream to you and you'll never know that it's making up numbers.

You just have to learn what sensors affect what and learn to diagnose electrical circuits properly.

 

point well taken.

 

If i ever got some Free money id get one of those cables just cause i would like to see what its actually doing. i think its running ok it just uses a LOT of gas. I agree that the diagnosing think needs to be done else where but once i know those parts are good...

 

one time I felt I was using too much gas,
but I realized week later
that when I replaced my fuel filter myself,
I didn't tightne them up enough
that gas was leaking out there..

it was leaking not too much, but constantly leaking,
where I barely smelled the gas and never thought of it.

 

i burned 1/4 tank going from my house to lake george and back, sitting in traffic, and burnin rubber at intersections, thats about 85-90 miles round trip...

 

It is rather cool to watch your car's data. You don't need any free money for the cable, just make one You probably already have enough spare parts lying around, if not, its probably about 10 dollars in radioshack parts MAX.

 

1. Dont fully understand. But un-pinching the hose is good. If there should be a bolt there, put one. The fan is plastic, and vibrating plastic will eventually crack/break.

2. TA Bushing, soon. Alot of people say go poly, but IMO, rubber unless you want to go to a whole new setup. Not sure if the LCA bushings are same as the PHR, best bet is the suspension board for that one.

3. Not alot, but if you have the tools n time, fix it.

4. 60 miles and used half tank (ie 7 gallons) is not good, thats less then 10mpg, even beating on it should get you better then that. Need tuneup, clean injectors, check alignment, tire pressures, etc.

Mine is running so rich the 02 is almost always pegged and I got 15mpg in town beating.