Work In Progress. '88 TC

Topic: Work In Progress. '88 TC (Read 15466 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Work In Progress.

Reply #30 – March 05, 2020, 01:49:22 PM

This past Fall I had the car aligned and tires rotated. I didn't check the lug nut torque afterwards....big mistake. I have a locking lug on each wheel and the key stripped on the last one. All the lugs were over torqued badly enough that I am worried about the studs.
Back to the locking lug. I got to learn the use a 12 point socket and a hammer to press over the locking lug. Got it off and was happy I didn't need to get a lug nut welded on it.

Re: Work In Progress.

Reply #31 – March 20, 2020, 09:29:47 AM

Mike's Engine Shop in Naugatuck rebuilt the head for me quick. No cracks, new valve seats and seals were needed. He had it done within 5 days for me. Last Sunday we got the head back on the motor. I also tried the high temp crinkle paint on the upper intake and valve cover. I used high temp clear on the sanded parts. Not perfect but looks better than it did.

I need to bend up a lower coolant line before putting the turbo/exhaust manifold back on. Unfortunately I broke the inside plastic timing belt cover when putting the head on. I'll need to do the string method to double check the belt timing. I have not started on the brakes yet other than getting the car up on jackstands.

Re: Work In Progress.

Reply #32 – March 20, 2020, 09:34:33 AM

Nice work! I think the intake/VC look nice!

Re: Work In Progress. '88 TC

Reply #33 – March 20, 2020, 01:49:46 PM

Quote from: mcb82gt – on March 20, 2020, 09:34:33 AM

Nice work! I think the intake/VC look nice!

Thanks Mike!

Re: Work In Progress. '88 TC

Reply #34 – March 20, 2020, 07:01:41 PM

Looks good Mike. Keep on plugging away and you’ll be boostin’ before you know it!
Rick

Re: Work In Progress. '88 TC

Reply #35 – April 02, 2020, 01:22:50 PM

Quote from: gtbird – on March 20, 2020, 07:01:41 PM

Looks good Mike. Keep on plugging away and you’ll be boostin’ before you know it!
Rick

Rick, it seems like it is taking forever. Thank you for the kind words.

Motor is together other than I need to reconnect the oil return line and brace. Unfortunately I need to pull the starter to get my arm up in there to align everything and hold the gasket in place. Then fill the coolant and do an oil change.

While sulking about pulling the starter off, I pulled the brakes off to prep. Just need to pull the rubber brake lines off next. Getting the rear rotors cut and had to order new front rotors which should be in tomorrow.

Re: Work In Progress. '88 TC

Reply #36 – April 15, 2020, 10:29:54 AM

Finished the brake job with the information given to me on this thread: Optimizing '88 TC Brakes

Parts List:
MM Front Brake Hose Kit, 1994-04 (MMBK4F)
Hawk Performance Pads (Street) HB263B.650
SVE Stainless Steel Insert SVE-H5016-CS from LMR
MM Rear Caliper Brake Hose Kit: 1994-1995 (MMBK12R)
Hawk Performance Pads HP580F.627
Rear Brake Hose H38611 Dorman <This will be replaced with a braided hose in the future>

Unfortunately, MM was having a supplier problem for their inserts. The SVE inserts did not all press into the caliper and some were more of a running fit. I am tempted to use Loctite 680 on the OD of the inserts but not sure it will hold up to the temperatures to hold for a cylindrical bond.

I used Loctite 242 for the thread on the pins. Unfortunately I was left to only cleaning them and reuse (wrong part delivered from local parts store). I will replace these once the world returns to "normal".

Bedded the brakes last night and very happy with the feel and responsiveness so far.

Re: Work In Progress. '88 TC

Reply #37 – April 15, 2020, 10:45:13 AM

I am befuddled on the engine timing belt.

I have had the timing belt on and off this car more than a few times. After I line everything up, I always turn the crank over twice to make sure everything is aligned (belt slack or whatever).

It was one tooth off 3 times in a row in the same direction and I even advanced it 2 teeth on the last try........it was still off in the same spot. I just walked away at that point to go make dinner.

I returned a few hours later with the decision that this isn't an interference motor. Tightened the belt bolts up and lined the distributor back to #1 and it start up and then I set the timing by ear for a temporary measure. Checked the coolant and oil.

Took the car out of the garage and bedded the brakes.
Car is still over boosting even with the boost valve turned all the way out.

Next up:
1. Getting the timing belt figured out.
2. Set the timing
3. Put a vacuum gauge on the line feeding the boost valve to see if it is ever seeing a positive pressure. Of course I will check the vacuum too. I have a boost gauge that I could tape to the hood windshield to see what is going on that might work better. I tested the actuator on the bench before putting the turbo in the car. I will double check again.

Re: Work In Progress. '88 TC

Reply #38 – April 15, 2020, 10:50:19 AM

On the timing belt, you need to make sure the only slack is on the "back side" of the belt where the tensioner is. If you have ANY slack on the right side of it, from the cam pulley down over the AUX and to the crank, it will shift.

Reading back, did you have this issue when the head was reinstalled?

Re: Work In Progress. '88 TC

Reply #39 – April 15, 2020, 11:21:59 AM

Quote from: Chuck W – on April 15, 2020, 10:50:19 AM

On the timing belt, you need to make sure the only slack is on the "back side" of the belt where the tensioner is. If you have ANY slack on the right side of it, from the cam pulley down over the AUX and to the crank, it will shift.

Reading back, did you have this issue when the head was reinstalled?

Thank you for the tip!
I had everything lined up when I put the head on and then I needed to adjust the timing, but the distributor didn't have enough room to rotate so I pulled the belt off and rotate the auxiliary so I would have room to adjust. The was my first start since the head went back on.
Having too much slack on the tensioner side makes sense with the direction it was off each time. Thank you!

Re: Work In Progress. '88 TC

Reply #40 – April 15, 2020, 12:43:04 PM

You actually want all of the slack on the tensioner side (Between the crank and cam pulleys). If everything is tight between the cam and aux and aux and crank, nothing will want to shift on that side when the tensioner is applied.

Re: Work In Progress. '88 TC

Reply #41 – April 27, 2020, 07:57:50 AM

Thanks Chuck. I got everything lined up and it is running.

Borrowed a smoke machine from a friend. That thing is awesome and I found the vacuum leaks! The car is running very well.
Here's a video from my Google photo bucket.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cXfrMHsT2LXkuGKfA

I have some oil leaks I need to chase now. Once the rain passes I will put some dye in the oil to see where it is coming from.

Re: Work In Progress. '88 TC

Reply #42 – May 08, 2020, 06:14:05 PM

A couple updates.
I dropped the car off with a mechanic yesterday and he does not believe the dip stick tube is the correct one for my car. It is very loose where the tube goes into the block so for a temporary measure an oring and some sealant until i can find another. Before bringing it in I tried a smaller oring and that did nothing, Then tried sealant that semi-worked. I needed someone to look at it on a lift other than me. He also found it is starting to seep from the front of the oil pan.

The rear control arms have been replaced with CHE adjustable lower and the fixed length upper. For now I am using the Moog CC821 rear coil springs which are shorter than the OEM springs. Although the springs are shorter the it did raise the rear of the car 1/4". I will re-measure in a couple weeks after the suspension settles.

It is raining here today, but I could still tell the car is tracking straight over road irregularity compared to before.

The car should be a good driver now for the year. Looking forward to just enjoying the car for a bit.

Re: Work In Progress. '88 TC

Reply #43 – May 08, 2020, 06:52:29 PM

How's the PCV system in the car? That could be exacerbating the oil issues.

Re: Work In Progress. '88 TC

Reply #44 – May 08, 2020, 08:51:06 PM

The check valve "rattled" very easily when I shook it while the head was off. I forgot to check the valve cover breather but I remember cleaning it out last year. There was quite a bit of oil when I took everything apart where it feeds in before the turbo.