I just bought an 83 and it has issues. I'm sure I'll have to replace the clutch master and slave, the new fuel pump was installed by idiots, and more issues. I can't wait to get it road worthy.
Posts: 34
I just bought an 83 and it has issues. I'm sure I'll have to replace the clutch master and slave, the new fuel pump was installed by idiots, and more issues. I can't wait to get it road worthy.
Posts: 34
Posts: 34
There is a yellow wire that has been cut from the plug and is missing, nothing is hooked up to the original sending unit, there is a plug on the new sending unit that isn't being used, and a mystery purple wire tapped to whatever is inside the ball of electrical tape. Real quality work.
Not a stock pump unit. Maybe one of the new ones that DMC sells but I doubt it. Is this car carbureted by any chance?
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,583
My VIN: 10757 1st place Concourse 1998
Upon finding that kind of repair you can expect more "creative" type repairs. Chopping things up to install non-standard parts is going to make fixing it correctly more challenging. If the car has not been driven in a long time expect to rebuild the brake and clutch systems, struts, tires, battery, wiper blades, fluids and filters at least. Pull the fuel pump out, drain whatever is still in there and wipe the tank out with Acetone till it is clean.
David Teitelbaum
Posts: 34
The car is still injected. The previous changed the stainless lines that run to each injector also. It runs like crap. Not sure if its old gas or what. The coolant fans are always running, the heater fan doesn't work, power windows don't work, etc.
Location: Atlanta OTP GA
Posts: 7,084
My VIN: 2743
Club(s): (SEDOC) (DCH) (DCUK) (DOC-UK)
Is it a car that had been running recently or did the PO try a few things to get it running (after a long storage perhaps) and then gave up and sold it on?
Dermot
VIN 2743, B/A, Frame 2227, engine 2320
I don't always drive cars, but when I do, I prefer DeLoreans
http://www.will-to-live.org
No-one is to stone anyone, even, and I want to make this absolutely clear, even if they do say "carburetor"
Posts: 4,808
My VIN: 3937
It's also possible the PO rewired the cooling fans to an on/off switch and that switch is inadvertently switched to on at the moment. Look for any non-stock switches around the centre console area or near the steering wheel.
Actually, what might be a good idea, and along the lines of what Josh recommended too, would be to slow down on your initial use of the car until you go through the systems (electrical, but not just the electrical system) and compare what is there to what was supposed to be there. The consensus over time I've seen from other owners is that it's better to get PO wiring creativity returned to how it was supposed to be early on than to let it be as is and deal with new mysteries every other time you drive it. It will save you time and money in the long run IMO.
Sept. 81, auto, black interior
Location: Lansing, MI
Posts: 490
My VIN: 04194: 5-Speed, Black Int, 79 Peugeot 604 Manifold, 05052: 5-Speed, Gray Int, 78 Peugeot 604 manifol
Congrats on your purchase! In addition to what others have said, I would recommend doing a complete inspection of all critical systems. Remove all 4 wheels and check the brakes, check the cooling hoses, as one failed hose will leave you stranded. Check the belts, and replace the alternator / wp belt, or at the very least carry a spare belt.
With regard to the cooling fans, a popular modification has been to replace one of the dummy switches in the center console with an on/off switch. It's actually a nice feature to be able to turn the cooling fans on manually. Also if the A/C compressor is engaged, the cooling fans will run, so check that as well.
As far as the poor running is concerned, check for vacuum leaks and/or dislodged spark plug wires, It's certainly possible that PO knocked something loose.
Andrew
4194 Since 7/98
5052 Since 7/14
1972 Buick Riviera
1974 Bricklin SV-1 177
1982 AMC Eagle SX/4 (4.2 I6, 4 Speed)
1983 Pontiac Trans Am (Knight Rider Conversion in progress)
1985 Oldsmobile Toronado (daily driver)
Solex carb and antenna television guru.
"My carbon footprint is bigger than yours!" :-)
Posts: 34
You guys are awesome. I'm a member of a BMW forum, and a Mustang forum and I have never had this many responses so fast. The previous owner is a car flipper. He purchased the car from the original owner to sell. I bought the car from him. His "mechanics" aren't fit to work on a Schwinn, everything the did was crap. I will be looking everything over and replacing what is needed before driving. I will keep everyone updated. I didn't have a chance to mess with it today because I was painting a hood. FYI the vin ends in 6620.