RainmakerJr
Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2016
If you read my sig. you will see I have a long history with my GN, and it's a long story that leads me to where I am now. But is necessary to understand.....
In 1985 a 13 year old me was with my father at the buick dealer to pick up his new regal. Spinning on the lighted display (it was the 80's lol) was the new GN. It was love at first sight!!! Told him then and there I would have one someday. Cars were always our bond. In the late 50's my Pop's had the fastest car in Belton County 11.26@ 118. He laid down the gauntlet and in 1994 I purchased a 1987 GN (11,000 miles) with the sole purpose of dethroning him. I whittled it down to high 11's before life and change of priorities got in the way. For the next 20 years he playfully busted my nuts.
09/13 I decided it was time and took my running GN to a shop (same one built it 20 years ago). The shop owner used to have a 1000+ hp GN and there are always 10 of them there getting worked on. He knows them well and I thought I could trust him..... WRONG!!!! He was to purchase & install the Big Stuff 3, Precision T & E front mount - upper intake and 70mm throttle body. He said 6 weeks & I paid the man. That was 09/14/13. Every excuse ever used by man and its now over a year later 10/14 and my Pop's passed away. I went to the shop and all the parts were installed. He plugged the laptop in and tried to fire it off. And when he did it backfired so hard it almost blew the mufflers off POW!! Dude said was something with distributor.... like worn gear??? More excuses and time passes. It's now 05/15 he said fixed distributor but someone broke into my car at his shop and stole the Big Stuff brain. How nice of the thief to unlock the door, unbolt the seat and unplug the brain!!! Dude said he would replace it. Even more excuses and finally 10/15 I had a flat bed pick it up and bring it home.
The now.....(finally right? lol) Last week I purchased ANOTHER Big Stuff3. The dude had the coil pack off so I reinstalled it. Next I checked all his wiring on the harness and gave the car a one over. Except for a weak battery all was good. Hooked a cranking charger up plugged in the laptop and tried to fire. Engine is cranking good and smooth and was getting a little fire and almost started. Next try all spin and no fire then POW!!! It sounded like a 9mm round was shot under the hood!! My ears are still ringing!!! I didn't see any damage ??? so I replaced the battery (it was bulged but don't think this was the POW) and added gas since the gauge was on empty. When I looked at the laptop it was then I realized I hadn't downloaded PT&E's Pete's initial start program DOH!!! Got that in and crank crank crank no fire (3) 10 second tries. I stopped and called it a nite. I was honestly scared I was going to get another POW!!!! I got a new set of plugs (autolite 23's) but have not installed them yet. Not sure where to go from here and can't have another POW.
What do I check for backfire damage? How do I verify the ignition and timing are functional? What else should I do so I can safely try to fire it again? I'm already going to sue the dude for the $2500 BS3. And i'm seriously worried the dude damaged the engine or tranny and pulled the brain to cover his mistake. If so, dude will pay for that also. So I need help to get the car running asap.
I want to thank this amazing forum and members for all the help and information they provide. Although I'm a new member, I have used this forum for many years. In fact this is the first time I've had an issue the search engine couldn't solve. Turbo regal owners are the best. Thanks again!!!
In 1985 a 13 year old me was with my father at the buick dealer to pick up his new regal. Spinning on the lighted display (it was the 80's lol) was the new GN. It was love at first sight!!! Told him then and there I would have one someday. Cars were always our bond. In the late 50's my Pop's had the fastest car in Belton County 11.26@ 118. He laid down the gauntlet and in 1994 I purchased a 1987 GN (11,000 miles) with the sole purpose of dethroning him. I whittled it down to high 11's before life and change of priorities got in the way. For the next 20 years he playfully busted my nuts.
09/13 I decided it was time and took my running GN to a shop (same one built it 20 years ago). The shop owner used to have a 1000+ hp GN and there are always 10 of them there getting worked on. He knows them well and I thought I could trust him..... WRONG!!!! He was to purchase & install the Big Stuff 3, Precision T & E front mount - upper intake and 70mm throttle body. He said 6 weeks & I paid the man. That was 09/14/13. Every excuse ever used by man and its now over a year later 10/14 and my Pop's passed away. I went to the shop and all the parts were installed. He plugged the laptop in and tried to fire it off. And when he did it backfired so hard it almost blew the mufflers off POW!! Dude said was something with distributor.... like worn gear??? More excuses and time passes. It's now 05/15 he said fixed distributor but someone broke into my car at his shop and stole the Big Stuff brain. How nice of the thief to unlock the door, unbolt the seat and unplug the brain!!! Dude said he would replace it. Even more excuses and finally 10/15 I had a flat bed pick it up and bring it home.
The now.....(finally right? lol) Last week I purchased ANOTHER Big Stuff3. The dude had the coil pack off so I reinstalled it. Next I checked all his wiring on the harness and gave the car a one over. Except for a weak battery all was good. Hooked a cranking charger up plugged in the laptop and tried to fire. Engine is cranking good and smooth and was getting a little fire and almost started. Next try all spin and no fire then POW!!! It sounded like a 9mm round was shot under the hood!! My ears are still ringing!!! I didn't see any damage ??? so I replaced the battery (it was bulged but don't think this was the POW) and added gas since the gauge was on empty. When I looked at the laptop it was then I realized I hadn't downloaded PT&E's Pete's initial start program DOH!!! Got that in and crank crank crank no fire (3) 10 second tries. I stopped and called it a nite. I was honestly scared I was going to get another POW!!!! I got a new set of plugs (autolite 23's) but have not installed them yet. Not sure where to go from here and can't have another POW.
What do I check for backfire damage? How do I verify the ignition and timing are functional? What else should I do so I can safely try to fire it again? I'm already going to sue the dude for the $2500 BS3. And i'm seriously worried the dude damaged the engine or tranny and pulled the brain to cover his mistake. If so, dude will pay for that also. So I need help to get the car running asap.
I want to thank this amazing forum and members for all the help and information they provide. Although I'm a new member, I have used this forum for many years. In fact this is the first time I've had an issue the search engine couldn't solve. Turbo regal owners are the best. Thanks again!!!