Batman
12-06-2005, 09:32 AM
Had a day off so I decided to sling the wrenches on the 84 for the day. Project of the day was fixing the 1750RPM idle and wiping out a coolant leak and finding out why it was running at an op temp of 150 degrees. Leak was coming from the water pump (of course ) but with 118K on the clock I guess it is to be expected so I was off to Napa to buy a pump, upper and lower radiator hoses and a thermostat. Went with a stock 195 Stat since I will be changing engines next year anyway. So after shelling out $18 for the pump, $3 for the stat and $24 for the hoses (gotta love getting good discounts!) I grabbed a 6 pack and was off to work. I figured I'd knock it out in a few hours and be on my way, but of course EVERY project needs to take at least 6 hours (6 beers @ 1/HR= 6 hours) and this one did not disappoint. Well it seems that in 1984 GM thought it a good idea to bolt EVERYTHING to the water pump. There goes beer #1 and #2 ( for stress). So after loosening or removing the alternator, AC compressor, P/S and AIR pump I finally got to the water pump. Swapped on the new one and broke the heater fitting off the old one. Beer #3 disappears and a slew of curses. Fortunately Dad came to the rescue by going up to his huge-a$$ box of parts and finding a brand new shiny fitting for me. Kudos Pop and beer #4 goes to him. So now I put it all back together and get all the way to installing the fan clutch and realize the new pump doesn't have studs for the clutch to ride on. #$@$*! There goes beer #5. Take it apart again down to the water pump pulley, put in the old studs and re-assemble. Pulled the T-stat housing to find there is no T-stat (AHHH! there is the temp problem!), Install it, put on the housing and hoses, fill it with coolant and fire it up. Fixed one leak from the heater hose and good to go. Shake beer #6, spray all over Dad's garage while standing on car in "NASCAR" victory dance (OK so I drank it, but that's how I felt).
Then I fixed about 50 Vacuum leaks got her to idle like a new car. Amazing how having vacuum and being able to get to operating temp really helps a car run better. I also found a bad contact on the choke so I fixed that too.
Total time: 7Hrs, 20 Min
Total cost $51 (beer included)
Problems fixed: 3
Tune in next week when I start trying to fix the windshield washer.......
Then I fixed about 50 Vacuum leaks got her to idle like a new car. Amazing how having vacuum and being able to get to operating temp really helps a car run better. I also found a bad contact on the choke so I fixed that too.
Total time: 7Hrs, 20 Min
Total cost $51 (beer included)
Problems fixed: 3
Tune in next week when I start trying to fix the windshield washer.......