All about the Gray Ghost

[good2win22]

As some of you guys know, I sold my white TR and picked up this gray TR Limited.  It's a very low optioned Limited.  Only 67 codes on the RPO label.  No special lights, manual seats and a hard top.  If I had to guess, and I'll get it on the scales soon, I would bet this car weighs between 3500 and 3600 with me in it and a half bag of gas.

[good2win22]

Dash insert was cracked and previous owner left a new insert in the trunk.  So I used some washers to set the dash speakers flush and installed the new insert

[good2win22]

Not sure of the brand of these rear shocks but they rode like shit.  Pulled them and installed a set of Bilstiens that I had laying around

[Charlief1]

Those are Gabriel over load shocks Jason. I think we need to start talking about some suspension work already.

[good2win22]

The rest of the day was spent on basic maintenance.  Diff fluid, tranny fluid and filter, air filter, plugs, greased the front steering components, engine oil and filter.


Purchased a used scanmaster and powerlogger and should be here later this week.  I'll clean up the rest of the engine when I can see some data. 


ECM has a TT 5.7 chip burned for 91 and everything else stock. Previous owner left me the invoice.


Also will be looking for another turbo or rebuild the stocker. Have some oil in the throttle body.  She smokes a slight bit at startup and I haven't made a WOT pull on her yet.  Will be pulling the drivers side header to fix the crack as well.  Lots to do on the car.


I think the plan for this car will be getting it reliable as a driver until I can get the barn motor put together and the barn transmission up to jake for a complete overhaul with all the goodies. Most likely will be doing the same suspension setup on the rear as I had on my white TR.  Not dead set on the front suspension just yet

[Charlief1]

If you want to try boxed stock rear uppers and lowers you can borrow mine, and they've got new rubber bushings in them.

[Scoobum]

Bilsteins at all four corners offer the firmest ride and will yield 1.7 launches all day. UMI makes inexpensive rear upper and lower control arms. Rear bar is up to you...several good ones out there.

If it only smokes at startup...or when you take your foot off the gas...then I'd suspect valve guides/seals. Valve springs are prolly shot...so you mite as well go with a set of 981's. Run a compression check first...and see what you're dealing with;

Jakes a heckuva a trans builder...get him to build it for low 10's.

You've got a sleeper there...you can really mess with the big tire cars. 6262 billet JB matched with a real AC 16930 convertor or a 9.5" PTC spec'd by Dusty. 80 LB injectors and a 116 chip from Eric. 340 LPH pump...you may or may not need a larger return line. 2 steel main caps for that barn engine and forged pistons...pref erably no larger than .020 over...and Champion or Joebuick irons.

Grab an extra pair of stock rims and mount 9" slicks on 'em....with the white lettering in. Head fakes 'em every time.

[good2win22]

Charlie, thanks for the offer but I'm gonna hold off for now.  I've got a spare set of stock rear control arms in the barn that I can box.


My father in law said they were over load shocks as well.  Only marking on them is "made in Mexico"


Brad, definately the turbo leaking oil.  Pulled the up pipe from the inter cooler to the throttle body and it is covered with oil.  Pulled the intake hose from the MAF and the turbo and there was an oil film on the bell.  Gonna repair/replace the turbo, clean the inter cooler before moving on.  Also, I am thinking the same thing on the wheels and tire.  I am really liking the T rims with the gray paint and I have a spare complete set of the T rims that I've been polishing on.


Forgot to mention that I got some new shoes for GG too.  Here's how she looks now

[TexasT]

Lovin the chrome. Looking good!

[Steve Wood]

I assume the hose from the end of the valve cover to the turbo bell has been removed and replaced with a filter in the cover?

Car looks really nice...but I would not put money on your bet

[good2win22]

I assume the hose from the end of the valve cover to the turbo bell has been removed and replaced with a filter in the cover?

Car looks really nice...but I would not put money on your bet

No the hose is still installed. Will work that one today.


You think it will be heavier?

[Steve Wood]

so the oil in the bell and inlet pipe may well  be from the vapor in the valve cover.

I think heavier

[TexasT]

I bet it is closer to 3800 than 3700 with you in it. Mine is 3600 with me in without all the power options and heavy interior stuff.

[good2win22]

Pulled the breather line and capped the fitting at the turbo.  Nothing coming out the breather. We'll see. 


This limited has 9 less options than my white TR.  Here are the differences:
This one has power windows
No console
Manual seats
Column shift
Bench seats
Rear defogger
Plush carpet
No concert sound speakers in the door


The rest of any more weight, if there is, could be attributed to acoustical sound proofing.  Which must be under the carpet cause there ain't any under coating.
All the other light weight items are there.  Bumper supports, T rims, hard top. 


Found another problem today. Looks like I'll be changing out a heater core.  Any tricks yall can share would be greatly appreciated.

[Steve Wood]

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