Detailed thread of 84-87 conversion....

[fbodlovr]

I would like to hear from people that have done the conversion. I am seeing a lot of people talking about random peices needed that I wouldnt have thought of. One is some wirewall lining that is on the 86-87 cars? Another is the firewall lid? What is that?! Also, there is something on my 84 right now by the ac condensor, and it looks like the 86-87's dont have that. Can I just take it off?

Also, does the power steering work exactly the same on these cars from one year to the next? There are posts about conversions, but none of them seem to answer things COMPLETELY!!!

 

[Project TNX]

I would like to hear from people that have done the conversion. I am seeing a lot of people talking about random peices needed that I wouldnt have thought of. One is some wirewall lining that is on the 86-87 cars? Another is the firewall lid? What is that?! Also, there is something on my 84 right now by the ac condensor, and it looks like the 86-87's dont have that. Can I just take it off?

Also, does the power steering work exactly the same on these cars from one year to the next? There are posts about conversions, but none of them seem to answer things COMPLETELY!!!

I believe I mentioned your first 2 items. The 84's had a lot more stuff towards the firewall so they had different heater cores which had the pipes coming out in different locations and an extra shield. So the lid is different, I do think it will still work, I'll check when I get home for you, but it might have to be cut if I remember right, but Bweavy has a bunch and I can't think they would be too much money.

My 84 lid

My 84 with the 87 lid:

Not sure about your condensor question, did you mean the drier? That black oblong thing in the picture above? I left mine off.

As for the Powersteering, you need to replumb the system if you aren't going to convert your system. And my 84's hose that went from the pump to the gear box is a different fitting size than the one that came off my 87 engine that went to the same fitting, so I imagine there were some slight differences, and I recall maybe even a gearing change from 84 to 87, someone else will have to confirm that.

My question via illustration:

A member's answer who recently did it via illustration:

If you do an advanced search on my username, and sort it by threads I started you will be able to piece together a lot of the "What the hecks" of converting yours. I am shameless when it comes to asking about stuff. The way I look at it, sure I can figure it out, but why not ask and KNOW in 5 minutes.

 

[fbodlovr]

Yeah, I beleive I see what you're talking about with the lid. Its the top part that goes on the ac box? I will have to get one of those from intercooled if he has one. As to the extra sheild, or whatever. Can I just leave it, whereever it may be? lol Or will it be able to be seen, and look ugly once the new engine is in? Also, how did the 86-87 cars come from the factory with brakes? Im mean, how were they plumbed in?

I forgot to mention the ac thing. I know the cylinder that is pointing down with ac lines going into it is part of the ac system. The thing I am talking about is the other thing that has a rounded top, and is next to the AC cylinder thing. It kind of lays up on top, and from side to side and almost touches the relay and MAP sensor bracket on the fender.

 

[Project TNX]

Yeah, I beleive I see what you're talking about with the lid. Its the top part that goes on the ac box? I will have to get one of those from intercooled if he has one. As to the extra sheild, or whatever. Can I just leave it, whereever it may be? lol Or will it be able to be seen, and look ugly once the new engine is in? Also, how did the 86-87 cars come from the factory with brakes? Im mean, how were they plumbed in?

I forgot to mention the ac thing. I know the cylinder that is pointing down with ac lines going into it is part of the ac system. The thing I am talking about is the other thing that has a rounded top, and is next to the AC cylinder thing. It kind of lays up on top, and from side to side and almost touches the relay and MAP sensor bracket on the fender.

I think the heat shield is the same, but now that I think of it the lid of an 84 won't work with an 86/87 IF you use the proper heatcore because the 84's sit horixontally and the IC's lay vertically.

That "thing" near the A/C can be tossed. I can't even remember what it went to, I dismantled mine too long ago but I remember it being inconsequential.

You're going to have to search for the original Powermaster diagram, it's been too long since I owned my 86 to remember. But I wouldn't ever convert to a Powermaster, my old one never braked the same way twice.

 

[Bweavy]

It is easier to list what can be used from the 84-5 set up then what you need from an 86-7. That is how we do it when we sell kits.
We yank the entire 86-7 front clip off & pull what we need to do the conversion for the 86-7 kit.

What you keep from your hot air car:
Long block
Driver side header & cross over
Brass oil T
Driver side valve cover
Oil dip stick & tube
Oil pan
Flex plate & balancer but not the pulley
essentially after that everything else is different
If you have an 85 with a power master that can stay.

 

[turbofish38]

What you keep from your hot air car:
Long block

What method are you using for the oil drain back? Hose to oil pan or drill the hole in the block?

 

[Bweavy]

What method are you using for the oil drain back? Hose to oil pan or drill the hole in the block?

Eric you do it right & drill the block. 1/2" NPT

 

[fbodlovr]

Well, I cant remember which one I have because I cant remember the other name. lol It doesnt have that round thing on the bottom. And I know it isnt vacuum!

I did get the 87 heatcore, but didnt get the lid for the top part. I got a COMPLETE engine from intercooled, this is the way I am able to change it over without having to peice parts.

 

[Bweavy]

Well, I cant remember which one I have because I cant remember the other name. lol It doesnt have that round thing on the bottom. And I know it isnt vacuum!

I did get the 87 heatcore, but didnt get the lid for the top part. I got a COMPLETE engine from intercooled, this is the way I am able to change it over without having to peice parts.

Top will work label will just be incorect. we have new labels. Did you get the radiator? The top plate? Power steering resivoir & bracket? accelerator cable?
A/C lines?

 

[fbodlovr]

Yeah, I got all of that. That sucks that the label will be incorrect. Thats a tiny thing I will have to deal with later. Exactly how does that lid come off?

Also, I am still confused with the steering reservoir. I didnt see any type of steering pump. So where does this reservoir go, and how the heck does it work without a pump?

 

[Project TNX]

Yeah, I got all of that. That sucks that the label will be incorrect. Thats a tiny thing I will have to deal with later. Exactly how does that lid come off?

Also, I am still confused with the steering reservoir. I didnt see any type of steering pump. So where does this reservoir go, and how the heck does it work without a pump?

The steering pump is below the belt tensioner, on the accessory bracket, the power steering reservoir gets mounted to the wheel well, you'll see 2 raised spots adjacent to the pump.

 

[fbodlovr]

Its kind of hard to tell where those are. Are the brackets there even on the 84's? I am also curious as to how you guys got the hoses from the steering off!!! I have tried, and they are on there extremely tight, to where the wrench is starting to round the corners a little. If I do get a vacuum setup, wouldnt it be extremely easy to put it, work well, and have less chance of failure? Or is the brakes I have now, which it looks like the same thing you have now Project tnx, work better?

Oh yeah, and will that thing up front onthe drivers side be needed still after the swap? It is a a little bigger cylinder type thing.

 

[Project TNX]

Its kind of hard to tell where those are. Are the brackets there even on the 84's? I am also curious as to how you guys got the hoses from the steering off!!! I have tried, and they are on there extremely tight, to where the wrench is starting to round the corners a little. If I do get a vacuum setup, wouldnt it be extremely easy to put it, work well, and have less chance of failure? Or is the brakes I have now, which it looks like the same thing you have now Project tnx, work better?

Oh yeah, and will that thing up front onthe drivers side be needed still after the swap? It is a a little bigger cylinder type thing.

The 84's don't have the bracket for the reservoir, ours was on the backside of our pulley. Hydroboost is better than vacuum, at least in my opinion.

My hoses were tight, but not tight to the point where I have to worry about your problem. Hit it with some penetrating oil on the top, where it swivels around the line, and the threads into the gearbox. The thing on the drivers side, at least I think that is what you are talking about, is the Vacuum canister (ball) and Fuel Canister (cylinder) and they will surely be needed, both canisters on the drivers side will be needed.

You seem to be going into this swap even colder than I was, I highly recommend you spend some time on Turbo Regal Web Site and buy Pete Hoffmans book on Turbo Regals, it has photo guides and detailed specs on the hood compartment you are going to need. Good luck.


I used this thread quit often for reference: http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/turbo-videos-picture-library/197351-lets-see-those-engine-pics.html

 

[fbodlovr]

Ok, when I go to get new ones, do I aske for one for an 84 or 87? Are they differenct? I have the bracket for the reservoir, but what I meant was, are there holes or something signifying where it WOULD have been? And as to brakes, are you switching to hydroboost, or sticking with what you have? I keep getting them confused on which is powermaster, and which is hydroboost.

I have actually been looking at doing this for a while. I have looked around a lot, but now that Im actually doing it, questions are popping into my head left and right! lol

 

[Bweavy]

Ok, when I go to get new ones, do I aske for one for an 84 or 87? Are they differenct? I have the bracket for the reservoir, but what I meant was, are there holes or something signifying where it WOULD have been? And as to brakes, are you switching to hydroboost, or sticking with what you have? I keep getting them confused on which is powermaster, and which is hydroboost.

I have actually been looking at doing this for a while. I have looked around a lot, but now that Im actually doing it, questions are popping into my head left and right! lol

No new lines are available the mounting holes are there.

 

[Project TNX]

Ok, when I go to get new ones, do I aske for one for an 84 or 87? Are they differenct? I have the bracket for the reservoir, but what I meant was, are there holes or something signifying where it WOULD have been? And as to brakes, are you switching to hydroboost, or sticking with what you have? I keep getting them confused on which is powermaster, and which is hydroboost.

I have actually been looking at doing this for a while. I have looked around a lot, but now that Im actually doing it, questions are popping into my head left and right! lol

I'm keeping my hydroboost, I've posted the diagram for you a bunch.

I'm measuring my lines this weekend and ordering them from one of these places:

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.a...tname=hydraulic

HOSE-MAN

I was going to have a place I found from this site just make me all new lines, but I was quoted $200-300 dollars and that is just too much for lines, I could convert to vacuum for half of that.

Have you actually started converting yet? You can always PM any question you have on the conversion itself. Personally, I just removed half of my front clip, it makes it so much easier/quicker to do, and putting a fender back on is rather easy compared to the other stuff involved. The trouble shooting is harder than the "work."

 

[fbodlovr]

With that diagram for the brakes that you posted, do I have to buy ALL new lines to do that? On the engine IM getting ready to install, there are two short lines coming off the pump. I know one of them goes to the steering rack, but where does the other short one go? It cant go straight to the steering rack. Also, where does the reservoir tie in at?

 

[fbodlovr]

I also have another question. I just found out the tranny dipstick is different. So now I have to get one of those. lol But, I heard that the fuel pump wiring is different. I have the hotwire kit that I put in with a walbro pump a year or two ago. Is there some way I can just rewire that, or will I have to get another hotwire kit???? Or do I just cut wire, and move them in the factory harness so they will work again?

Oh yeah, and I posted a thread in the tranny section if you wouldnt mind helping me out there! =-)

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/tr...ranny-cooling-line-routing-need-pictures.html

 

[conn84gn]

You do not have to change to a 87 heater core
I left my 84 core in and went to a good auto store that let me in the back room to look at S hoses, found a Chrysler hose cut it a little shorter and works fine
I think I still have the number
Pics if you need them
Also If you use the Hydroboost, you will have to find the correct wire to run the fans I can help there also.
And the fuel filter fits on the hard line by the A frame then you need a short connecting line to the hard fuel line that runs up thr front of the engine.
That way you don't have to cut into you stock fuel line to put the filter
Pics again if you need them

 

[fbodlovr]

More than likely I will just switch over to the vacuum setup. A LOT easier to put in, and from what I hear, braek down a LOT less.

As to the heater core, im just going to switch to the 87 that was sent to me.

What do you mean find the correct wire to run the fans???


Can you answer any of the questions from my previous post? You probably ran across these when you did your conversion.