We went to the show and shine on Saturday. It was the maiden voyage for my 87 Fiero GT. I made so many changes over the winter. It would have been smart to make one at a time and get it fine tuned and move to the next but, of course I didn't. My voltage dropped as I drove. It was a 38 mile one way trip, mostly freeway. The engine just quite a few times as we neared our destination. I found the big booster, big master cylinder are the most helpless system without vacuum. At one intersection the engine dies as we were coming to a stop, I down shifted and stupidly poked the throttle just as the engine came back to life. Holy smoky burnout! My wife was pretty scared and I had this stupid grin I couldn't get rid of.
The club members were very welcoming to us. Pete, the founder, went out of his way to being just plain a great Fiero guy. Chris was right there with help on what I thought was an alternator issue. The alt is 27 years old even though it only has 86 K on it. It's the only engine mechanical part that isn't new. We saw innovative engineering, meticulous restoration, cars in the process of being saved and lots of smiles.
We made it back home with my wife watching the FAST hand held giving me readings on voltage, temp and AFR. The car was running rich - hmmm. Voltage was low - temp at a steady 198. At least one thing was normal. Put the car in the garage and open up the trunk. At least no leaks of any vital fluids. I heard the sound like a can being crinkled in my vacuum. I took off the gas cap and it sounded like my shop vac! I plumbed up all the lines to my charcoal canister so nicely and never bothered to see if the canister worked. In short, it's plugged and didn't let the tank vent. The big fuel pump drew more current (voltage drop) the computer thought I had a fuel deliver problem and went into the limp home mode and when the drop in pressure was bad enough it shut off the injectors. My poor wife had a tough first ride in the Fiero but like always she kept a smile on her face.
My thanks to the MFF for being so helpful and friendly. The invitation is open for you folks to come to our place. I'm sure we can find a cold beverage! I had no idea many of you lived so close to me!
Woody
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woodys 427
