Opinions?? Sat for 10 years, where to start??!

turbopat

Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2018
I’m not new to these cars as I have an 86 high 9-second Anderson built car. Having said that I am trying to make sure I am on the right path with this new car I’ve picked up.. it looks rough in the pictures I’m posting but the back story will help. It was an elderly handicapped couple that put right at 100k miles on it. It was bought in my town and serviced here it’s whole life.. the couple died in 98.. the car was driven around the neighborhood for a good bit (10 years). The family made sure it moved around over the years so it didn’t go to waste but then they sold their estate.. the son kept the car at that point (2011). The car was put in their garage until 9 months ago when he too passed. Since then it has sat outside in harsh weather... I cannot get over how original this car is... 1 owner and absolutely not 1 thing other than battery and wires have been changed on this car..here are my questions...
How rare is the we4?
What is a fit value of the car?
Were they low optioned cars like this?
What do I do for now with the lacquer paint?
What would make the car not even click over when you have a strong battery?
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Congrats on your purchase! It sounds a bit like my Turbo T Limited I bought about 6 months ago which had been sitting for 17 years. I finally got it up and running, smogged (yep I live in CA) and registered. It's been a really big project even though I'm well versed in these cars.

To answer your questions the best I can, although many think a WE4 is a rare piece truth be told they are just black Turbo Regals with black bumpers. The one you bought looks like it needs a bit of love. I'd hope you didn't pay more than about $4k for it. As far as being low option cars it depends if that's what the original owner wanted but I don't think they have any more or less options than any other TR on average. If the car won't turn over with a strong battery like you state I'd start off by pulling the plugs and spraying WD40 or something similar in the cylinders then attempt to turn the motor over by hand and see what happens.

Good Luck

P.S. As far as the lacquer paint goes you can't do anything with it other than repaint it unless you like "patina". My Limited suffers from the same thing and I'm on the fence as to whether to paint it or not.

Neal
 
they are rare is far as production numbers 1,547 produced in 87 a lighter version of the GN
nice find
good luck with all the clean up restoration
 
Everyone likes to say how rare WE4 cars are, all Turbo Regals are low production compared to Mustangs, Camaros etc. At the end of the day they are no lighter than an '86 T Type with the same options. The only thing available on a WE4 you can't get on any other Turbo T or T-Type is the black bumpers.

Neal
 
10/4 Neal ,
id start with a lot of cleaning 001 steel wool worked great on my steering wheel had to use rust bulletined heavy wire wheel on drill for turbo shield took a lot more work
multiple cleanings start with blowing everything off first in the engine bay that will get rid of a lot of crap and won't have to put water to it, basic maintenance new hoses flushing rad, oil and plugs like Neal said trying to get the motor to turn over with out damaging anything but sounds like sound car ya know slow and steady wins the race in this situation
 
clean the weather stripping and try to re condition with 303 protectant, a lot of great threads in show car and restoration section
 
No hood ornament so just the header panel will be worth more than an '86 T in a few years. :p

If there's no click you need to put a volt meter on the purple wire on the starter, use a clip lead and long wire to a meter to check for voltage there when trying to crank it.

Most likely the starter solenoid itself, but could be theft deterrent relay, C100 connector, IGN switch, kill switch on the starter wire added etc.
 
I wish I had a WH-1 those are pretty rare and a dream
salvageV6 knows his stuff and very helpful
 
If this car sat for 8 years without being started and especially outside for a while, you should really consider the engine oil soak. Pour 20 quarts of oil in it and fill it to the top and let it sit for several days - buy the cheap stuff. Then drain and rechange the oil and filter as normal. Afterward pull all the sparkplugs and put a socket on the alternator bolt. Might even squirt a small amount of penetrating oil in the sparkplug holes on top of the pistons. Make sure the engine turns freely. Then move on to the electrical diagnosis.
 
I wish I had a WH-1 those are pretty rare and a dream
salvageV6 knows his stuff and very helpful

This is my parts car lol. It’s a Katrina victim... damn shame too... car has digital dash, touch climate, twilight, power seats, concert sound, leir seats... everything...
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aaaaaahhhhhh
damnit boy
well my best friend still has a lot there rapped from Katrina
had to come back home very sad
 
On my project Limited I started off pulling all the plugs and putting WD40 in the cylinders. Luckily it would turn over by hand. I installed new plug and wires and checked the coil / ignition module with my Caspers tester. The fuel pump was bad and after dropping the tank it and the sender were toast along with the injectors. In my case the radiator was bad so I replaced it with one from Cold Case (Thanks Nick) as well as the H2O pump, hoses and T stat. Shortly thereafter I found out the heater core was bad too so I swapped that out and replaced the hoses and control valve for good measure. You've got your work cut out for you but it should be a fun project.

Good Luck!

Neal
 
If you want to see if the engine is seized pull the plugs you will be changing, and grab the intercooler fan after taking the belt off which you will be changing, and see if it moves.

No click/clunk of the solenoid is a starter circuit type issue.

My WE4 was loaded with options so they were made in all varieties like GN's.

I just started mine after 3 years, needed a module, plugs, injector cycling with a 9V battery, but the engine bay is dirtier than yours so don't be discouraged.

Address the fuel system as well after you find out if it will crank or it's seized.
 
I wouldn't soak the engine in oil, i'd pull it out.
For sure rust inside that thing espically when the steering wheel is that rusted...
Once you start it, the damage is done...

..
 
A little update... I pulled all plugs after getting the time... I put some penetrating oil in the cylinders... two days later I put a wrench on the alternator and gave it barely any movement... it turned right over no problem... since then I’ve changed to a stealth pump, Hotwire, new fluids throughout, radiator, lt1 maf and translator, 60lb injectors, new vacuum lines, and compounded half of the car.. I was able to verify miles at 30k as well!
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Well.... I don’t know how this thing was running so well... needless to say... I’ve got my work cut out for myself.
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Damn rats!! Wow! What a mess! At least you know it runs and man it is looking much better!! Good luck with it - keep us posted.


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