Messages

31

General Buick Tech / Anyone Running Powermaster Alternator?

« on: September 25 2021, 10:35:44 AM »

I have used Powermaster starters & alternators in the past with good success, so I ordered a new 170a alternator intended for the Grand National.

It just arrived & I noticed the drive pulley is smaller diameter than the OEM pulley. Concerned this may negatively affect the serpentine belt tension. Haven't looked into it well enough to see if the pulleys can be swapped. The alternator has a performance test card that shows 130+ amps @ idle, but I suspect that is with the smaller pulley.

Anyone have any feedback on this?

Thanks.

32

General Buick Tech / Re: TPS Setting, Battery Voltage & Throttle Blade Position?

« on: September 19 2021, 07:34:53 PM »

More than you wanted to know about MAPs: https://www.robietherobot.com/storm/mapsensor.htm

That's some good info. Thanks.

I'm using a different MAP sensor. Discovered I had 2 wires swapped. Works fine when you do it correctly.

33

General Buick Tech / Re: First Fire & MAL #34

« on: September 19 2021, 06:11:53 PM »

Be sure the iac passages are clean in the throttle body and the iac is working as it should.

Check your O2s to be sure they are normal at idle.  Watch what they do when you let off the throttle.


Check all the hose joints between the MAF and the throttlebody to be sure they are all tight.  See if the idle vacuum is what it should be.  Be sure the plenum is snug and all the other usual things. 

Throttle body is fresh 62mm rebuild from Steve Monroe. I adjusted IAC set screw & TPS some today. Idle increased to 900+ RPM & IAC numbers increased. Went the other way & IAC numbers are 0-4, idle is 825-850. TPS is .40 with engine off & .42 at idle.

O2 is in the 750-800ish range. Did not observe during throttle chop.

First start on top end rebuild. New hoses, vacuum lines, check valves, new MAF & translator, fresh gaskets, everything is tight. Do not have a vacuum gauge installed, but I have a temp one I could use.

Beginning to think it might be turbo back surge. Is that possible? I just replaced OEM turbo with Precision 5858. Have 3" inlet pipe with 3.5" LS1 MAF. Still awaiting the air cleaner. Should arrive this week. No drive time on ECU/chip. Just garage run time.

I disconnected the orange wire this morning for a few minutes, then connected & started engine. MAL #34 has not returned. No other MAL codes either.

34

General Buick Tech / Re: First Fire & MAL #34

« on: September 19 2021, 10:17:15 AM »

Maf Base set to 0?

Here is the troubleshootin g for 34   https://vortexbuicks-etc.com/code_34.htm

Yes MAF Base @ 0

I do not have the proper air cleaner yet. Hopefully it will arrive in the next day or two. Not sure if that will make any difference.

35

General Buick Tech / First Fire & MAL #34

« on: September 18 2021, 09:17:35 PM »

First fire on newish top end. A couple of problems I need to resolve pasted below.

Problem #1: I replaced the driver side header with one from TA Performance. The OEM crossover pipe does not mate up well between the two headers now. I think the outlet flange on the TA header is larger diameter & taller. I have an exhaust leak on the D-side that I'm assuming is coming from there. Suppose I must now order the TA crossover to make it work. Sure wish these companies would either QC or communicate better. I'm trying to remain grateful that parts are even available.

Problem #2: When I bring RPM up to about 2K & release the throttle, the engine almost returns to idle, but then sputters & dies. Re-starts just fine. On initial start the Scanmaster displayed MAL #34 MAF Low Signal, but it cleared upon re-start & has not reappeared. I have a 3.5" LS1 MAF (plastic housing by Standard) & a MAF Translator. This is new equipment for me. The dip switches are On-On-On-Off. I have not attempted any adjustments yet.

Today was initial start, run a minute or two & shut-down, check levels & look for leaks. Engine started on first attempt, no drama. Re-start & increase run time, vary RPM & heat cycle several times.

36

General Buick Tech / Re: TPS Setting, Battery Voltage & Throttle Blade Position?

« on: September 16 2021, 09:33:36 PM »

Interesting finding.

I unplugged the Metripack connection to MAP sensor & now have 5V at TPS. TPS has been set at .42 to 4.58/4.60.

Something is crossed up at MAP.

37

General Buick Tech / Re: TPS Setting, Battery Voltage & Throttle Blade Position?

« on: September 16 2021, 08:28:17 PM »

It's not a battery voltage problem.  The throttleblade is usually a few degrees away from being 90 degs so that sounds normal.

Something else is not right.  Is the iac screw emerging the usual approximate 1.5 threads or so out of the tb?

Unknown at this time. IAC unit was swapped from original TB straight over to new TB (bottom side of TB).

The screw that would be considered an idle adj screw on a carb, shows about 2 threads extended.

I performed a voltage test on the TPS gray wire. Less than 2V. Supposed to be 5V I think.

Battery is about 12V now. Not up to 13+V.

This engine had the top-end removed down to the block. Heads, valves, springs, gaskets, ARP studs. New timing chain & oil pan gasket. New HR motor mounts. TA Perf D-side header. New TT 80# inj. w/new chip & Racetronics inj harness. Razor alky system installed w/3.5Bar stainless MAP. Caspers audible knock detector installed at ECU. 5V to MAP taken from gray wire at ECU & routed through firewall at speedo grommet to back of intake manifold. That wire reads the same as the gray wire at TPS. Green wire from MAP to Alky PAC reads .6XX (less than 1V)

Grounds at rear of passenger head cleaned & returned to original location. Same with battery ground to engine block.

Ground from MAP to firewall by master cylinder.

Redundant ground at battery to fender-well location.

38

General Buick Tech / TPS Setting, Battery Voltage & Throttle Blade Position?

« on: September 16 2021, 06:34:01 PM »

Recently installed a rebuilt Steve Monroe 62mm Throttle Body. Not the original TB, but I am using the original TPS. Battery has been in storage & is reading 11.9-12V. Battery Tender is bringing it back up to charge. Attempted to set TPS with Scanmaster. Numbers are very low. 30 is the best low setting so far.

How much, if any, does battery voltage affect setting the TPS?

While operating the throttle linkage by hand to full throttle, it appears that the throttle blade may not be quite a full 90 degrees open. May be an illusion, can't tell for sure. Appears that the lever contacting the throttle body casting would require relieving to open any further. Lever & linkage from original TB & swapped over to rebuilt TB.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

39

General Buick Tech / Re: Exhaust upgrade questions for the 85 GN

« on: September 12 2021, 08:53:39 PM »

RJC Racing (https://rjcracing.com) offers a stainless 3" test pipe for the '86-'87 TR. I don't think it is displayed on their site. I don't know if it will fit into the spacing you need.

40

General Buick Tech / Re: Proper Vacuum/Boost Hoses?

« on: September 10 2021, 09:58:44 PM »

I've bought regular rubber line as well as silicone line. The silicone stuff came off ebay.
I would do the zip tie on them to keep em on the barb.
Not sure what to make of the "it breaks easily". Just need to get the correct inside diameter so it can go on the barbs.

Bought 3 rolls of this stuff in different diameters: https://www.amazon.com/stores/LTI+DIRECT/page/7851330F-E258-401A-B91C-3FA20AD74AA6?ref_=ast_bln

The wall thickness is enough to prevent installing on the hose barbs at the top of throttle body. I attempted to pull a length off of a hose barb & it broke in half surprisingly easy.

41

General Buick Tech / Re: Proper Vacuum/Boost Hoses?

« on: September 10 2021, 09:15:53 PM »

No one has any advice on this?

Anyone?

Anyone?

42

General Buick Tech / Re: Brake booster

« on: September 08 2021, 04:15:36 PM »

You’ve got to do the sy/ty shuffle. Put it in neutral, foot on the brake firm, rev up high enough that when you lift that you are pulling 30” of vacuum - the pedal should move more with the assist keep it held, and now drop on in gear and build boost

I was under the impression that vacuum was highest at idle. Sounds like I may be wrong. I will try what you suggest.

43

General Buick Tech / Proper Vacuum/Boost Hoses?

« on: September 08 2021, 04:12:35 PM »

Need to replace the vacuum hoses & seeking recommendation s on proper tubing. I have some of Kirban's tubing but it is rated to 1 Bar. I'm thinking 3 Bar or better would be a wiser choice. I bought some silicone tubing but the wall thickness will not allow installation at the throttle body vacuum block, plus it breaks fairly easy.

Thanks

44

General Buick Tech / Re: Brake booster

« on: September 07 2021, 08:33:37 PM »

I used the vacuum booster from a G-body Monte Carlo.

Stops well, but doesn't power brake very well.

45

General Buick Tech / Re: Exhaust Header Gaskets? Yea, or Nay?

« on: September 06 2021, 12:04:17 AM »

use it as a glue, not a thick bead for a gasket.  If it is thick, it will get pushed out

Thanks