No history on my new Grand National. Follow my journey.

[blackgn1]

My newest Grand National arrived today. I have no history on the car so my journey begins. I have knowledge of the Turbo Buick inside and out but I must honestly say I'm not a guru with the knowledge that many of our board members have. Here's what I know.

1) Tags where from 2007
2) Mostly original
3) Aftermarket Oil pressure, Volt, and Temp Gauge
4) Interior was removed before I aquired the car

I'm going to start at ground zero just like a new owner getting thier first Turbo Buick. The car has an adjustable wastegate, chrome up pipe, alarm system(looks to be non functional), replacement ignition wires, attachment for a temp gauge. I only had a couple hours tonight to look over the car so there may be more non factory parts. Against my better judgement I checked the oil and decided to see if it would start. After several attempts it finally began to try to fire. Finally after a few more attempts the car did start. I let it run a few seconds and shut it down for the night. The only reason I did try this was the aftermarket oil pressure gauge. Next step will be to change the fluids. I hope that this thread helps new guys see what kind of work is involved in buying a Turbo Buick with no history.

 

[Bruce Urie]

This is going to be a trying project for you, but glad you got your Grand National.....the guys here on this forum are the best to turn to for help on every problem you may encounter.......please let me be the first to give you some help.......so, let me answer the first four items you listed.

1)Tags were from 2007: Expect a ticket when you take it for a drive (and no whining about it)

2)Mostly original: Except the air in the tires..

3)Aftermarket oil pressure, volt and temp gage: Not one is accurate or hooked up correctly (i.e. oil pressure
tube hooked up to the vacuum block on top of the plenum, volt gage hooked up to the cigarette lighter,
temp gage hooked up to the crack between the 3rd and 5th header tube on the driver's side header)

4)Interior was removed before I acquired the car: Will be very hard to see over the steering wheel when
driving, plus paying tolls will be hard on your left arm (unless it's very long). Also the seat mounting
brackets will scratch your ass big-time while driving around corners.


Hope this helps, and congratulations on your new Grand National........personally, they are just great cars! Ask me how I know. And........by the way..........glad to have been of some help...

Bruce '87 Grand National

 

[novaderrik]

engine bay looks pretty unmolested- except for the zip ties holding the air intake to the MAF and the water temp gauge added into the upper radiator hose...

i'd say to change the oil and antifreeze, dump fresh gas in it, and see how it runs.. maybe change the fuel filter while you're in the garage.

 

[trailinjake]

Looks like you have a nice solid ride there. Definitely have alot of cleaning, painting, powder coating ahead of you. Now that you posted the important picture, can we get some of the outside, interior and underneath???

 

[bishir]

Great thread idea. Look at that plumbing fitting on the radiator hose with some type of temp sender!

 

[TurboTnZ06]

That much corrosion looks like it was submerged in salt water.

 

[Butchman]

That much corrosion looks like it was submerged in salt water.

x2 Any info on where it came from and what caused all the corrosion? Just curious? A little elbow grease and that thing should clean up. Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[blackgn1]

Well little more progress. Car still has the cat converter. Stock chip also. New fluids tonight and some new gas. Car know starts and runs on it's on. Rough idle. Nows when the scanmaster is needed. The TPS and IAC are without a doubt not set properly. Also there will be vacuum leaks. Spring cleaning will need to be addressed. I have a scanmaster in my other car but it's staying where it is. Now a new buyer will need to start spending a little money. Fuel pump. Hotwire. Scanmaster. Vacuum line in various sizes. Throttle body cleaner. I hope this thread will help new guys who have bought thier first Turbo Buick or are thinking of buying. These cars require attention. You don't buy one, jump in it, and burn up the streets. Jim mentioned the corrosion. There is alot of leaves under the hood. I figure it has seen weather without the hood on the car or hood left up. To tried to eliminate the possiblity of flood water I looked in places where it would be possible to varify. Inside of the computer was spotless. Frame has no rust. Inside of turbo was spotless. Plugs looked new. Spark plug wires did fall apart on removal. Tomorrow I will begin the Spring Cleaning to see if the rough idle is fixed. I guess I need to order a Scanmaster.

 

[pmoore4321]

I'd pull the motor and go through it.

 

[salvageV6]

Leaves will get in there with the hood closed if outside, I think the chipmunks and mice bring them in inside their bookbags.

I'd ditch the water temp. gauge and use the scanmaster and stock upper hose.

Put a milk crate in there and drive it.

 

[TurboTGuy]

Subscribed,

My son will find this interesting......

 

[JayC]

Great thread idea. Look at that plumbing fitting on the radiator hose with some type of temp sender!

A lot of people used to do that for the water temp gauges back when the cars were new. I think one of the companies actually sold that fitting contraption for a gauge install.

 

[Rich Gio]

A lot of people used to do that for the water temp gauges back when the cars were new. I think one of the companies actually sold that fitting contraption for a gauge install.

I never got that idea. Why cut the radiator hose when you can just pull out the idiot light sender and but the gage sender in there!? Also, my advice would be to lose the mechanical oil pressure gage and put in an electric. (Ask me why, LOL)

Good luck with the car!

 

[JayC]

I never got that idea. Why cut the radiator hose when you can just pull out the idiot light sender and but the gage sender in there!? Also, my advice would be to lose the mechanical oil pressure gage and put in an electric. (Ask me why, LOL)

Good luck with the car!

If you were around in 87, youd know the answer to that. There was very little in the way of aftermarket parts and most of what was out there were things made from something else. I remember an early ram air kit made out of a trash can.

I made my front mount intercooler because they didnt exist at the time. It took a few years for the aftermarket to get going. Every single company that was around in 87 is either gone or has been sold to someone else several times over with the exception of Kirban. Back then, there werent a lot of options and a lot of differing information. For example, ATR used to recommend putting the water sensor in the side of the block.

 

[Rich Gio]

If you were around in 87, youd know the answer to that. There was very little in the way of aftermarket parts and most of what was out there were things made from something else. I remember an early ram air kit made out of a trash can.

I made my front mount intercooler because they didnt exist at the time. It took a few years for the aftermarket to get going. Every single company that was around in 87 is either gone or has been sold to someone else several times over with the exception of Kirban. Back then, there werent a lot of options and a lot of differing information. For example, ATR used to recommend putting the water sensor in the side of the block.

I WAS around in 1987 and have owned the same Grand National since I bought it new as a 22 year old kid in Mid December of '87. (Read my sig... ) The temperature sender for my electric water temp gage has been installed in the idiot light switch port since EARLY 1988.

 

[JayC]

I WAS around in 1987 and have owned the same Grand National since I bought it new as a 22 year old kid in Mid December of '87. (Read my sig... ) The temperature sender for my electric water temp gage has been installed in the idiot light switch port since EARLY 1988.

Then you should know how the aftermarket was in 1987. You couldnt sell a $100 box with two switches and a light in it these days and get away with it.

I have all signatures disabled for me.. some of them are so big, I didnt have a choice.

 

[blackgn1]

Here's a idea I've been tossing around. This is something that the average guy would not want to do.

Knowing the MAF Sensor will need to be replaced now or later.

Translator $199.99
Chip $85.00
MAF Sensor $139.99
-------------
Total $424.98

AEM Wideband $179.99
Speed Density Chip $189.99
Powerlogger $264.99
--------------
Total $634.97

For $209 more dollars I can run MAFless and have Powerlogger to log information. I have had great success running Speed Density. That's the only reason I would want to step out of the box on a dailey driver. This is not for the average guy. I bought the car and have started slowly bringing it up to running condition. Need a Scanmaster, MAF Sensor, and odds and ends for spring cleaning. That puts me over $600 and the car hasn't left the driveway. Also fuel system needs upgrading. Pump, injectors, Hotwire, Filter. Maybe this is helpful for guys thinking about joining our Turbo Family.

 

[Rich Gio]

Then you should know how the aftermarket was in 1987. You couldnt sell a $100 box with two switches and a light in it these days and get away with it.

I have all signatures disabled for me.. some of them are so big, I didnt have a choice.

LOL. Yeah, not too much in aftermarket back then. I remember crushing the fuel reg. to get a higher pressure before the adjustables came out. There were some pretty hokey aftermarket items when they first hit the streets. The "turbo spooler" which plugged into the wastegate solenoid and was supposed to decrease turbo lag. All it was was a resistor ...looked like it was made in some guys garage using an ice cube tray!

 

[blackgn1]

Have good compression on all cylinders. Weather was not in my favor tonight so didn't get alot done. I think the plan it to see how good I can get it to run then pull the engine. Just too much to clean. Once on the engine stand I can check the bottom end. Timing chain will need to be replaced. Front cover worked. Cam checked. Ect.

 

[ttaowner]

good thread. great call on the translator and lt1/ls1 maf. i have had 4 of them and they have been on all my cars at 1 time or another and never ever had a failure in 10 years most were daily driven too not just sitting in the garage. highly recommended part especially if your stocker takes a dump and you have to factor a 10 mile tow in the cost. sell your working stocker and upgrade that maf