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mike mcarthur
Pony that Jumps
USA
1303 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Mar 2010 : 5:00:29 PM
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| As most of you know I now have a 50K mile original 87 GTA with 350 power. It sat for ten years and needed a fuel pump, major tune, etc. Still wouldn't run right so my last hope was that the injectors were just really gummed up from that old fuel so I brought home the injector flush machine and thankfully it runs good now. So of course I drive it around the block, and.....heater core goes away. Project number um, 9? coming up. |
It's the stuff you learn after you know it all that's important |
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phil400
Sitting Bull
142 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2010 : 5:10:31 PM
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there's always something,if you WERE thinking of keeping it I'll bet that changerd your mind eh?
was 86 or 87 the first year for the tune port injection? |
78T/A4-SPEED |
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Taman
Cochise
USA
583 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2010 : 8:10:46 PM
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| Sitting is the worst thing for a car. Especially if the car wasn't stored properly. |
Everything Under The Sun Is Intune |
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mike mcarthur
Pony that Jumps
USA
1303 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2010 : 5:42:33 PM
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| Not sure on the TPI, but 87 was the first year for the 350 and they are pretty rare now days. Got it shined up pretty good today. Put the new headliner in and detailed the interior, looks almost new. Heater core tomorrow. |
It's the stuff you learn after you know it all that's important |
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mike mcarthur
Pony that Jumps
USA
1303 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2010 : 5:05:23 PM
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| Heater core is in, actually wasn't too bad. Went for a drive, suddenly lost power and engine light came on. Looks like the mass air sensor took a dump. Anyone see a pattern here? |
It's the stuff you learn after you know it all that's important |
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bnorris_74
Cochise
USA
514 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2010 : 5:18:03 PM
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Excuse me but I laughed at quote:
"anyone see a pattern here"
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We need to start a poll on what goes next.
Fuel pump
Tranny
Ignition
Pick a seal.
Something electrical - pick an item. |
Edited by - bnorris_74 on 08 Mar 2010 5:19:47 PM |
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Phil
Great White Buffalo
3181 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2010 : 7:44:39 PM
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Ah yes, another infamous 80's GM throwaway car with Tinkertoy and potato chip parts!
Mike, you're a good man who deserves a better set of wheels.
They only made 1500 decent 3rd gen birds and I hear they were all in 89. |
Bowties are for Peewee Herman |
Edited by - Phil on 08 Mar 2010 7:47:27 PM |
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Christ
Crazy Horse
USA
1295 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2010 : 8:13:04 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Phil
Ah yes, another infamous 80's GM throwaway car with Tinkertoy and potato chip parts!
Mike, you're a good man who deserves a better set of wheels.
They only made 1500 decent 3rd gen birds and I hear they were all in 89.
1989 firebird was one of the most aero dynamic cars. I had 1989350 formula 350 was order with black interior. I have yet to see another with black interior since. |
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sixt8bird
Chief Many Horses
USA
426 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2010 : 9:16:12 PM
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Here's a rare 1 of 50 1989 GTA's with a L98 350 and convertible option. The car cost $23,940.00 in 1989 and then another $5,500.00 for the convertible option. It is totally loaded and has 78 options including all leather interior, factory alarm etc. Rims are the SLP Ronal 17X10.5 on the back and 17X9.5 on the front, Eibach springs and sway bar kit, strut brace, lowered 2" and a 1 3/4" front sway bar. It only has 70,000 miles on it and has always had a start problem. It fires up in the morning and then will leave you stranded at any given time after that. If you wait for an hour or so, it will fire up and if you don't, you turn the key and nothing!!!. I have worked on this car for 3 years and have been through every electrical circuit possible. I gave up 4 years ago and it has sat ever since. 3rd gens are POS's and have many gremlins.
[URL=http://img13.imageshack.us/i/89gtasideprofile.jpg/] [/URL]
[URL=http://img242.imageshack.us/i/89gtaconvertible350.jpg/] [/URL]
[URL=http://img690.imageshack.us/i/topup.jpg/] [/URL]
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Edited by - sixt8bird on 08 Mar 2010 9:19:16 PM |
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mike mcarthur
Pony that Jumps
USA
1303 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2010 : 11:21:51 PM
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| I had my 3rd gen experience with my 83 pace car. I bought this one because; 50K mile original, 350 car, I 'm going to sell it, I only paid $1000.00 for it. I replaced the fuel pump so take that one out of the poll, also the left front caliper is locking so it gets those too. :) |
It's the stuff you learn after you know it all that's important |
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mike mcarthur
Pony that Jumps
USA
1303 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2010 : 6:59:22 PM
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| The trans mount went on a test drive the other day. Got it running pretty good. Took it to the shop today to replace the trans mount. Looks good underneath, no leaks so far. sixt8, have you looked at the ECM? Next time the car is running smack the ECM with the palm of your hand and see if it dies. I remember changing lots of those back in the day when there were a lot of these cars on the road. |
It's the stuff you learn after you know it all that's important |
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sixt8bird
Chief Many Horses
USA
426 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2010 : 7:15:32 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by mike mcarthur
sixt8, have you looked at the ECM? Next time the car is running smack the ECM with the palm of your hand and see if it dies. I remember changing lots of those back in the day when there were a lot of these cars on the road.
Yes I have, typically when this problem occures, its ususlly while you are driving. Mine does not. If I get a jump start from a car that is running, it usually fires right up so that means 14+ volts is enough to correct the problem that about 12.5 volts cannot overcome. |
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Phil
Great White Buffalo
3181 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2010 : 9:51:09 PM
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| Ah the smack test! Also a "handy" tool for GM's Mass Airflow Sensors! |
Bowties are for Peewee Herman |
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mike mcarthur
Pony that Jumps
USA
1303 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2010 : 11:43:27 AM
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| This one has me curious. It doesn't die while it's running, but when you shut it off it won't start without a jump? I'm assuming the obvious checks out, Battery, alternator, cables, grounds, etc? |
It's the stuff you learn after you know it all that's important |
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sixt8bird
Chief Many Horses
USA
426 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2010 : 12:27:02 PM
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| If you let it sit for 40 minutes it fires right up. I have checked everything and pretty much replaced everything. I was thinking it acts like a burned relay and just needs a bit more current to make contact. The voltage at the solenoid fluctuates from 3-6 volts while trying to start it wnen it acts up like this.In the morning it always fires up. |
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sixt8bird
Chief Many Horses
USA
426 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2010 : 12:27:52 PM
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| Sorry for hijacking the post. |
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Phil
Great White Buffalo
3181 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2010 : 1:29:07 PM
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| Bad/dirty battery terminal connection or issue with battery itself. |
Bowties are for Peewee Herman |
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Taman
Cochise
USA
583 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2010 : 6:37:54 PM
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| First year TPI was in the 85 Corvettes. TPI didn't get into the F body till 86. |
Everything Under The Sun Is Intune |
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mike mcarthur
Pony that Jumps
USA
1303 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2010 : 9:49:45 PM
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| Resistance goes up with heat so something is wrong between the battery and starter. I'm thinking cables, ground or the starter itself. Any of that stuff new? |
It's the stuff you learn after you know it all that's important |
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sixt8bird
Chief Many Horses
USA
426 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2010 : 02:45:26 AM
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Its all new and when heat creates resistance, you would think it would at least turn over slowly or click at the solenoid but just the gauges move and nothing else. I know cars and electrical and as of this post, I am building a car pretty much from scratch. That includes all electrical, braking system,frame, interior, trunk, floors, glass, paint, suspension, steering. You name it I am doing it. The only thing I'm not building is the outside shell and doors.
I just finished rebuilding every inch of a 1952 Desoto Hemi and made a water pump from a Coronet fit with mods, modified a pertronix kit to fit the dual points factory distributor and am building a 2004R to fit behind the Hemi which will take alot of mods. I make alot of tools and parts. Like I said, I have been through this damned GTA for 2 years and finally gave up to move to other projects. I actually rigged up a 12 volt wire into the car and another down to the solenoid so I could just turn the key to run position when it didn't start with the key I could touch the wires together and it would turn over but sometimes it would take forever to start or just turn over. I think whatever the problem, which I think is some type of ground or power problem also affects the fuel pump as it should just fire right up once the starter turns over. I don't like mickey mousing things but doing this little mod at least showed me that I do get power to the starter , just low to the solenoid. |
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bnorris_74
Cochise
USA
514 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2010 : 4:07:06 PM
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Electrical gremlins are the worst.
My daughter had a 91 Cavalier. It would throw fits electrically.
It would die out on the road. Go jump it and it would rune fine for days. Then another episode would occur.
Sounds a little like sixt8's symptoms. Turn the key and the gauges would move but no crank.
Ended up finding one of those fusible links had a bad spot, just leading into one end, had come apart inside the wire insulation. I imagine a couple of strands stayed intact or made contact enough to keep it going before it failed completely.
I found it by pulling on the wires and saw that one of the wires in the alternator/starter harness was stretching the insulation. Cut the link off and splice the wires together. Put the alternator and starter back in. It started right up.
Then watched the antifreeze pour out of the water pump. Grrrrr |
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mike mcarthur
Pony that Jumps
USA
1303 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2010 : 12:44:17 AM
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| I'm asking around on this one. It definately has me intrigued. |
It's the stuff you learn after you know it all that's important |
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mike mcarthur
Pony that Jumps
USA
1303 Posts |
Posted - 28 Mar 2010 : 9:21:18 PM
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| I talked to a couple guys at different shops and got the same answer, battery,cables, or ground. |
It's the stuff you learn after you know it all that's important |
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Topic |
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GTA update
