Messages

46

General Auto Tech / The Green Mile went Home

« on: November 10 2023, 10:01:46 AM »

My son drove it home Tuesday. It was running good and we had driven it a 100 miles round trip to San Angelo prior.

The 2500 rpm converter is more like 1700 rpm which means it is fighting against the engine at idle. Engine needs to be around 850-900 in gear which translates to about 1050-1100 in Park. The tight converter kills the vacuum and it has a little cough when the pedal is mashed from a stop. After all the hassle we had before we found the flex plate was out of spec, neither one of us wanted to drop the tranny for about the fifth time. That thing made me old.

It ran good til he was half way home. That was about 75 miles after a gas stop.  It got worse and worse until it stopped running about 15 miles from his home.

No fuel in the front bowl and not much in the rear. He has had no time to look at due to the end of daylight savings time. I am guessing brust in the tank but it might have been bad gas at the last stop, or the new fuel pump started going out.  We shall see.  I was afraid it was my HEI ignition system that had angered the Mopar gods but the further he drove, the less it seemed like ignition and the more it was the fuel side.

It gets a lot of attention when going down the road. That's for sure.   I'll link a video in a little bit.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fd22SduJgz9Qij9x9

47

General Buick Tech / Re: Which Size Rear Tires?

« on: November 10 2023, 08:52:22 AM »

Can't argue with "Been there, Done that"

Diameter on the M/Ts is a bit over 27".  Plenty of guys have run well on them and they will not hit the fender lips.  For a good weather tire, I think that Brad has the right solution for your needs

48

Paint and Body / Re: Painting OEM black (W8555-WA848) or another Black color

« on: November 10 2023, 12:06:04 AM »

Julio, it looks like you have done a good job so far.  I have only painted one car in my life and I painted like I colored with crayons.  Not well at all.  they say Prep is 90% of the job.  I also figure having dry air in the hose is 90%.   

49

General Buick Tech / Re: Which Size Rear Tires?

« on: November 09 2023, 09:03:39 PM »

For a car running 20 psi boost or more, the 28" tire will usually out run 26" tires (both with 3.42 gears).  Taller tire is faster out of the hole and generally on the top end as well depending on equivalent cams.  That is my experience.

On the other hand, 255 tires often run just as quickly as 275's on launch as the length of the patch is more important than the width.  Of course, if one has enuf more horsepower than usual, the width may contribute a little more.

The speedometer issue easy to resolve as a switch to a yellow gear brings it back in line.

Modern chips are not bothered by tire diameter as many of the factory functions have been disabled or ignored.

The problem comes with simply finding a tire in the desired size as 15s and 16s are basically obsolete in our tire ranges.

I went to 255s on my GN.  Went back to stock speedo gear.  It has 16" wheels.  My T has 15" rims and I am tired of the tire scuff.  I guess rolling the lips would fix that.  A lot of cars seem to have the axle offset a bit to one side or the other.  My GN did not scuff but it was really close.

50

General Buick Tech / Re: Which Size Rear Tires?

« on: November 09 2023, 05:52:22 PM »

Ok, I don't see anything. May need some 17" wheels. SMH

51

General Buick Tech / Re: Which Size Rear Tires?

« on: November 09 2023, 05:45:06 PM »

The 255-50s are a bit short I think. Getting hard to find 15s.  If they make a 255-55, that would be closer to a 26" diameter, I think

52

Paint and Body / Re: Painting OEM black (W8555-WA848) or another Black color

« on: November 08 2023, 09:10:45 AM »

The original paints varied a lot in color and quality.  Most seemed to have brown in them.

This was very popular at one time.  I don't know if it has been replaced or not but it was gorgeous in my eyes.  Dupont code G9900S Super Jet Black

53

General Buick Tech / Re: Oil Pump Question

« on: October 25 2023, 06:41:39 PM »

That's what I would do

54

General Buick Tech / Re: Oil Pump Question

« on: October 25 2023, 03:19:41 PM »

I believe you could do that, but there should be a spring that prevents the plunger from moving until the back pressure gets to about 20 psi.  As I recall, the metal part is staked to keep it in position to hold the assembly in place.

55

General Buick Tech / Re: Oil Pump Question

« on: October 25 2023, 09:26:25 AM »

I don't recognize those pieces.  You say that they fell out of the filter?

How long is that black piece?  I don't think I have ever seen anything like that in a filter being used as an anti drainback or bypass valve. 

It looks like the head of the black piece would fit into the metal piece which would close off "flow". But it would have had a spring that kept it closed normally

56

General Buick Tech / Re: Shifter button hard to push

« on: October 17 2023, 09:31:08 AM »

One other thing I thought about.  The plastic rod that goes down the shifter under the handle can be screwed in or out to change the height as I recall.  This might cause a bind in the button push if too long, I think. 

Of course, I may be thinking of another car LOL

57

General Buick Tech / Re: Shifter button hard to push

« on: October 12 2023, 12:53:08 PM »

Thinking about it, I would think the button should push in at any time so start by pulling the handle off and check the plunger and spring, etc.

58

General Buick Tech / Re: Shifter button hard to push

« on: October 12 2023, 11:40:14 AM »

My advice was aimed at the floor shifter.  The Park lever can bind up the shifter if not adjusted properly

59

General Buick Tech / Park Neutral linkage grommet bushing

« on: October 12 2023, 11:18:32 AM »

I have found it is a good idea to replace these on the lever that sticks out of the lower steering column where the rod from the transmission connects.  They wear out and get loose and then fall out with age.  Makes it hard to get the back up lights in sync with the shifter when it is in reverse.

NOTE:  It does not matter if your car is floor shifter or a column shifter, this bushing is still in use every time you move the shifter and it can make it hard to put the shifter into park as it can bind the linkage if missing or out of adjustment as well as get the back up lights to come on at the right time.

Shifter Linkage Bushing Grommet Chevy Olds Buick Pontiac For 1394293 22503153

I bought one recently for the T Type off EBay   https://www.ebay.com/itm/284033672332

Seller named Pick Our NOS or pickournos

60

General Buick Tech / Re: Shifter button hard to push

« on: October 12 2023, 11:09:05 AM »

Assuming that you bought a cable that is an actual replacement (most aftermarket sellers are selling a cable meant for the 3 speed transmission-but a few of the Buick places are claiming their cables are the right length for the 4 speed transmission), then I guess it would not hurt disconnect it and see if the button on the transmission presses in and out as it should.