Just picked up an 87 SE basket case (Page 8/37)
78_elky JUN 24, 12:36 PM
Thank you!!

Yeah I think there is an issue with the fuel tank. I've had the tank out 2 times now and the pump works fine, I've checked with a pressure gauge. The car is sitting with the nose down and I think maybe its not picking up the fuel? I've added about 8 gallons from gas cans to what little bit was in the tank so I think I'm pretty safe to assume its got gas in the tank now. I'll check the fuses tonight; I hope its something easy like that!!

Jessica
Patrick JUN 24, 02:17 PM
Are you sure it's a fuel issue that's causing your current starting problems? Do you still have spark?


quote
Originally posted by 78_elky:

I also cleaned and painted the only heat shield I have for the car, I'm not sure what the previous owner was thinking but this engine gets really hot in the back and it would have been nice if he hadn't lost so many parts.



IMO, it's critical you get the heat shield installed that goes between the EGR valve and the coil before you run the engine much. Otherwise you're going to cook ignition components. (The coil and/or ICM might already be toast.)

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 06-24-2015).]

78_elky JUN 24, 03:28 PM
I have run the car a total of 20 minutes never for more than a few minutes at a time because it will not run well. I think its been up to operating temp once. I understand that the heat shielding is important and I have in fact installed it (shown in a picture a couple posts up even) now that I'm not working in that area of the engine bay. Like I said earlier there aren't any of these cars in a wrecking yard around here so I'll get the shields that go over the manifolds when I can find them. I wanted to wrap the exhaust and cross over pipes in header wrap before I put that shield back on so that maybe more of the heat would stay in the exhaust so I was waiting for that to arrive from amazon. The engine still has spark unless that failed while it was sitting in the last week. I'll check out the ignition components when I get a chance tonight or tomorrow as well as the injectors and fuses.

Jessica
BrittB JUN 24, 03:35 PM
Did you get the egr delete chip yet? It will never run right unless you replace the egr tube or swap out the chip in the computer. I've been down that road!
Patrick JUN 24, 05:49 PM

quote
Originally posted by 78_elky:

I understand that the heat shielding is important and I have in fact installed it (shown in a picture a couple posts up even)...



This thread is difficult to navigate as your images are oversized, but I've seen no evidence in your pictures of the heat shield I'm referring to. The following engine is an '88, but yours is supposed to have the same shield (indicated by the arrow).




quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Do you still have spark?

IMO, it's critical you get the heat shield installed that goes between the EGR valve and the coil before you run the engine much. Otherwise you're going to cook ignition components. (The coil and/or ICM might already be toast.)


[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 06-24-2015).]

BrittB JUN 24, 07:45 PM
Yes, that one is a must have! Otherwise you will have to relocate your coil to a cooler area.
78_elky JUN 30, 10:16 PM
Well I ended up pulling a lot of things apart and found a few issues and its all running again.
1) The fuel pressure regulator was cracked and not looking in the best of shape so I replaced that.
2) The PO had installed new plugs and wires and they were very nice and new looking but they were wrong! The plugs were the wrong model and the wires could hardly clip onto the plugs because the boots were too long. They would shake off when I'd get the car running and that was why it was dying.

I wrapped the exhaust near the firewall and cleaned up some other things.

A little before and after shot of the engine


I also got the sunroof wrapped in vinyl; I'm digging the satin black.


Jessica
78_elky JUL 08, 03:59 PM
I tried to drive the car the other day and its like the rear brakes are locked up. I'm not sure whats up, but I'll investigate and hopefully have it moving again soon
Jessica
BrittB JUL 08, 07:25 PM
Could it be the E brake is adjusted too tight?
bjc 350 JUL 08, 10:12 PM
Or, perhaps the emergency brake is still on, even though the lever is in the down position. My son did that to my 3800 SC car. Really put some heat in those rear brakes! He did learn that the e brake can only be released with the button pushed in.