Yeah the guy I bought it from was the original owner. He just pulled it out of storage Where is it has been for the last 10 years. He put a new fuel pump on it and fix a brake line. It needs the full treatment. I have the original title.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 11-11-2012).]
This thread will be my maintenance record for the car.
I haven't done anything with the car till now. Yesterday i swapped out the rear calipers for front ones and I put all new brake pads on it. I really dislike messing around with the 88 rear calipers.
I do have the car up on jack stands. I pulled the gas tank to inspect it. Sure enough it was full of rust on the inside, so I picked up another one. I'm giving it the POR-15 treatment this afternoon before I put it in if I can get up out of this chair. LOL.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 09-26-2012).]
I finally got the tank cleaned up. There was a pinhole under the strap so I put some PR-1440 B-2 (fuel tank sealer) on it. I got some POR-15 also to paint it.
I'm working on the brake lines now. Heres the P/N for the brake lines. The fronts and rears after the splitter are 3/16" and the main one to the rear is 6mm. The lines have bubble flares and can be made using a double flare tool. Just don't do the second step.
So it now has new tires, a restored gas tank, and all new brake lines with new pads now. I'm glad i went through it, the guy I bought it from tried to use prefab double flare lines on it for patches spliced in. He put a new fuel pump in it but I just didn't trust the guy as a mechanic. So I dropped the tank and sure enough it was rusty inside. I should be able to tear up the streets of Chicago with no problems now.
Well, I'm pretty sure I fixed it. It had a stumble when it was cold when you would goose the throttle. I started with the vacuum lines which one was bad. Then I checked the EGR valve, it wouldn't hold enough vacuum to activate it. It was definitely bad so I replaced it. That didn't fix it so I took the MAT sensor out and it was all clogged up. I replaced it and it accelerates 98 percent better.
The 88 exhaust is different than my 86 out in the shed. I ended up just putting a straight pipe in to replace the cat and a Thrush Turbo muffler.
I changed the fuel pressure regulator plus did an Idle reset on the IAC. This completely solved the stumble.
However there is still an issue when I try to start it hot or cold.. The fuel pressure only got up to 8PSI on the first key cycle, the second time trying to start it would get the pressure up to 10 PSI, then it would start. When I shut the engine off the pressure would drop to zero in 3 seconds. Then the pressure gauge I was using crapped out at this point. I got a replacement gauge and it did the same thing, the schrader valve wouldn't work right on the GM TBI adapter. I changed the fuel pump and still no change and now I don't know what the pressure is doing because I can't find a good pressure tester. The fuel injector doesn't appear to be leaking, the connector hose between the pump and sending unit are brand new and there are no leaks in any fittings. It's late and Im tired.
I had the exact same problem with start up on our '94 4.6 v-8 thunderbird. (It is an injector problem in my opinion.) One or more of your injectors is possibly bleeding down when the car is off. I found two of mine that were leaking, one badly. I replaced the whole set because of their age. Even one of the new ones turned out to be bad. turned it back in for another. Voila' Replaced them and the pressure is up first turn of the key. Starts like a top, hot or cold. Also improved my accelleration response.
(I too used to jhave to crank long till I had done the doublekey trick. No more problems. Check them out.)
Other possibilities: If that is not it, have your pcm (ford) checked. it controls the injectors. they start to act up when they get very old. Don't know if Pontiac used a pcm or what they called it to control the injectors. Are your injector 'o'rings all good making a tight seal, not letting air in? I always replace mine every time I get a new =(used) car.
Good luck . ~Zep
[This message has been edited by mwzephyr (edited 11-05-2012).]
I changed the fuel injector Orings and screens. It wasn't fully seated when I went to pull it out. Now it starts at the end of the first crank try. Albeit a long one. Edit; It fires right up now, two revolutions and its ON!
I just have to put in a muffler hanger and silicone the brake pads to the calipers or something so they dont drag so much. Edit; I had a caliper that was dragging, and I put a Thrush turbo muffler on it. I would rather have a good muffler but this one will have to do for now.
Then well see what else turns up the closer I get to putting it on the road. Fingers crossed.
The interior smells like a twenty year old ash tray, somebody chain smoked in it. Pew.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 12-13-2012).]
Well I drove it 30 miles to work today! It made it just fine. It ran a little cold, I need to check the antifreeze level. Other than that it ran great.
Edit, The thermostat was stuck open. I can see light through it when hold it up to a light.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 11-29-2012).]
I replaced the oil fill cap and that stopped most of the oil that was leaking down the passenger side of the engine.
However, theres a coolant leak down the passenger side of the engine. I assume the way its leaking down onto the cradle under the battery from the pulley area that its the pump. It has like 93K miles on it. I just ordered a pump from Rockauto.
Thanks Dave for the compliment.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 12-13-2012).]
Could be leaking from the tensioner too. There's a coolant passage behind the tensioner arm. Be careful with the tensioner too...those can be hard to find.
BK
------------------ 86 GT 5-speed, 88 Coupe Auto Technical Director, NIFE www.fierofocus.com
You were right Bill. It was the tensioner. The bolts were loose as a goose. I redid the gasket and cleaned it up. The water pump is dry. Edit; I ran it tonight and let it got up to temp. I pulled it into the garage and let it run after I drove it some, not a drop of anything underneath. Yay!
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 12-29-2012).]
Looks like a good car. Should make a great dd. I plan on using my Indy as a dd in the summer to save on gas. Have you driven enough to tell what you are getting for fuel mileage?
This is my Christmas present to me! I am going to put power locks and windows in it so i can take Max my dog with me for rides. His breath really stinks so I figure the power windows will help!
The panels cleaned up nicely.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 12-31-2012).]
I got the passenger side in. I had an 88 Formula where the windows and locks were really slow to act. I even changed the switches with no effect. Now seeing how everything is grounded I can see why. These locks and windows pull great. the locks go on one pull, and the windows act brand new. If your reading this and your stuff is slow, clean up the grounds in the passenger side before you waste money on new switches or the gizmo to speed things up.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 01-14-2013).]
I've been working on the stereo while I have the interior apart. Also putting in a remote start w/ keyless entry. And I've been building new Dew Wipes of my own creation.
Well I got the Dew Wipes fabricated today and installed. They came out perfect. I also tinted the windows today and got them installed. I gave up on the aux stereo jack, I cant believe someone hasn't figured that out yet.
