All about the Gray Ghost

[good2win22]

http://www.vortexbuicks-etc.com/heater_core_replacement.htm

Thanks Steve!  Read it last night.

[good2win22]

Got the heater core out...  That wasn't as bad as I thought it was gonna be.  Looks like the foam on the evaporator has disentigrated.  Letting things dry out for now and will clean up tomorrow.  Previous owner installed a new compressor but never charged the system due to not being able to find a dryer.  It's all apart so parts are ordered and I'm going back with a new heater core, new evaporator, new dryer and new orifice tube. 

[Steve Wood]

it's sure an easy job on these cars...long as the glue has not welded the top on anyway.  Be sure to seal it well so water cannot run into the box off the windshield

[good2win22]

Got a couple of packages today and all the replacement parts to put the HVAC back together.  Hopefully by the end of the weekend I'll have a leak free cooling system and be able to see some data to know where to begin getting GG running top notch.

[Scoobum]

Get that PL hooked up!

[TexasT]

I'm glad you are making progress.

[good2win22]

HVAC is back together.  Got the scan master and powerlogger installed.  Fired her up, leak check complete.  Little bummed with the scan master.  No signal from the powerlogger to the SM but the USB for the laptop is functional.


Going to replace the cable from the PL to the little block as soon as I find one. 


ECM has a 5.7 TT burned for stock injectors with 91 octane for 15-16 #'s of boost


Numbers luck good on the TPS, MAF, IAC ECM voltage is more steady than the white TR.  Still has the original fuel pressure regulator and it shows.  BLM at idle was 138 and O2s were in the 550's.  Idle was smooth though. Car came with a hot wire kit and a Walbro 255 that the guy had put in the same time he got the chip from Eric.  It has to be the noisiest fuel pump I've ever heard.  He forgot to add an adjustable FPR.  That will be next on the list.  Never seen lean cruise at 115 before but what do I know.


Something I'm going to look at in the morning is that the PL showed no park or 3rd gear for the tranny when I went for a drive.  Going to look at the connector on the upper left side of the tranny.  VSS appears to be working on the PL.  However, it did display 4th and TC lock up at the appropriate shift.  A little confused with that one...


I was hoping to drive it to work this week since it's suppose to be nice

[Scoobum]

Good progress Jason. DS header cracked?

[TexasT]

I just "crushed" a stock regulator to get the pressure. It took a couple tries but I figure it stays put easier. The first thing we noticed about the dw pump is how quiet it is.

Have you dropped the pan on the trans yet? Id goof with the connector to see but someone might have swapped in a "lesser" vb that doesn't have the 3rd gear switch. or the switch might have quit working. Never know why you will find on these "old" cars.

[good2win22]

Yes the header is cracked. Was going to save that fix for another time due to the fact that the current exhaust system is a complete hack job.  To repair it properly, I'll need to get a test pipe, new hanger mount, crossover pipe and either repair the down pipe or put on one of the aftermarket pipes that I have.  Then have to make a flange to bolt up to the test pipe and weld it to the existing pipes.


My preferred fix is to rip out the current mufflers and go with an RJC down pipe with the big pick, test pipe, new hanger, and RJC's single to dual muffler set up along with a set of those TA headers.  I really like there crossover pipe and clamp set up.


Rich, I dropped the pan when changing the filter.  Nothing out of the ordinary and the VB appeared to be a BRF, had the right marking any way. It is definately in need of an overhaul.  Shifts ok when cold but after she warms up, the shifts come early and the TC has stayed locked up when coming to a stop a couple of times

[Scoobum]

Jason, if you stick with the stock headers...be very careful where you buy a new crossover pipe from. I have a new one here from Kirbans...and it's nowhere near close to fitting. Not sure where Kirbans sources them from.

[good2win22]

Drove GG to work yesterday.  Was not happy with the amount of oil markings she was leaving behind every time I parked somewhere. 
Got home and pulled the crossover pipe, starter, dust shield for the tranny and then dropped the pan. Looks pretty clean inside but much to my dismay, looks like someone has been inside the engine.  Rods were marked for their location.
 
Does Felpro really think that blue rubber gasket will seal the pan or is it just the installation technique?  Man that oil pan gasket had squeezed out at every bolt. Oh and the rear main was sticking out past the pan rail about a 1/16th.  Not my install, by the way.
 
Anyway, she's on the stands till I get another gasket.  Going to repair the header crack as well.  Thinking of pulling the valve covers to have a look as she is still smoking at start up.  When I get home I'll post up a pic of the crossover pipe that I removed.  It's kind of funny looking, maybe there is some performance gains to it....

[Steve Wood]

Gasket should work fine but it has to be torqued correctly..... sounds like yours was way over torqued

[Scoobum]

I've used the blue pan gasket exclusively on my engines...with no leaks. Like Steve says...prolly over torqued.

[good2win22]

Picked up the gasket and got the pan back on.  88 inch pounds is kind of hard to do between that crossmember, LOL!  Starter is back in. Pulled the driver side header and will repair tomorrow as well as pick up the header gaskets.  Scrounged around in the barn and found an old crossover pipe.  Gonna try and fit it after getting the header repaired and installed.


As promised here is the crossover that I removed....