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Tech Area => General Buick Tech => Topic started by: tb3 on December 21 2010, 06:20:25 PM

Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: tb3 on December 21 2010, 06:20:25 PM
i thought this might be interesting to do.  who knows, could be lame.
the other day i went out in the garage with a beer and sat down looking at my gn and thought,  "geez, i don't think theres a single bolt i haven't turned on this entire car.  and i can probably be handed any bolt from these cars and tell you where it goes.  but theres certainly still alot i don't know about these cars i love.  so how about some of the more unusual facts or figures alot of the rest of us may not know.

i'll start.
did you know the stock ecm is the same ecm as some of the fwd gm cars.  if i recall correctly... was it the 86 3800's?
did you also know that our stock ecm will recognize a input from a power steering sensor on the rack and pinion fwd's?  i "think" its to bump the idle when the pump takes power from the engine?
correct me if i'm wrong.

another one i find amazing and aggrivating at the same time, is that our cars use a mixture of both metric and english bolts and nuts  through-out its assembly.  therefore requiring both ranges of sockets and wrenches when working on it

anybody got anything?
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: daveismissing on December 21 2010, 06:58:36 PM
Have not seen anyone explain the HS tag on the frame (driver's wheelwell).
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: tb3 on December 21 2010, 07:16:02 PM
i'd also like to know on what the 200r4 started out
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: 87granny on December 21 2010, 07:40:20 PM
I know how to tell an 86 from an 87 by the vacuum lines on the passenger side
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: daveismissing on December 21 2010, 10:54:43 PM
Quote from: "87granny @ Tue Dec 21, 2010 7:40 pm"
I know how to tell an 86 from an 87 by the vacuum lines on the passenger side

So its not just about the polished tin bling on the nose and the climate control availability?
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: WE4_Roller on December 23 2010, 10:55:50 PM
The original tires,  Eagle GT's could make the posi. rear end clutches go clink clink clink around tight parking lot corners regardless of how much Kenne Bell green limited slip differential magic fluid and GM bottles of additive you tossed in it.

Upon replacing the worn out crap stock tires at 18K miles,  (rears go first for some reason),  with Dunlop D40 M2's in 235/60/15 size the noises magically went away.

That's my story from the old days.   :psix;
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: DCEPTCN on December 23 2010, 11:16:03 PM
Quote from: "daveismissing @ Tue Dec 21, 2010 8:54 pm"
Quote from: "87granny @ Tue Dec 21, 2010 7:40 pm"
I know how to tell an 86 from an 87 by the vacuum lines on the passenger side

So its not just about the polished tin bling on the nose and the climate control availability?
...and the door pull strap.

As far as the metric goes...pretty much with any bolt on the Buick I'll first try it with a 15mm before I go to the toolbox.
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: firebird_1252 on December 23 2010, 11:36:18 PM
13,15, mm wrench and a philips head screwdriver you can pretty much take apart a gbody..
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: DCEPTCN on December 24 2010, 12:17:24 AM
Quote from: "firebird_1252 @ Thu Dec 23, 2010 9:36 pm"
13,15, mm wrench and a philips head screwdriver you can pretty much take apart a gbody..
Word. Too bad we can't leave all the monkey-meter shit to those dopes up north.
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: $1987 GN$ on December 24 2010, 08:45:16 AM
hrmmm

AJ___
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: TRICKSIXPA on December 25 2010, 09:16:11 PM
Recently noted that the A-pillars on the outside of the car are different on a T-top car rather than a hard top. You can run your hand down a hard top A pillar and it is  smooth. T-tops have a bulge in them. I think its to help the water run down but???
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: SuperSix on December 26 2010, 11:08:27 PM
86 and 87 can be identified by the 3rd brake light - Government mandated them from 86 - on.

Not much, but something. :)
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: WE4_Roller on December 27 2010, 10:40:46 AM
The factory sometimes put the rear drain tubes for the sunroof down the wheelwell so they empty into the trunk.   :finga:

And of course when you took the car back to the dealer they were just as clueless to the problem.  :psix;

Of course after you start dumping the water into the body you better make sure the drain hole is big enough and clear so ALL the water gets out.
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: Steve Wood on December 27 2010, 10:47:25 AM
Quote from: "daveismissing @ Tue Dec 21, 2010 5:58 pm"
Have not seen anyone explain the HS tag on the frame (driver's wheelwell).


At one time, it was believed that it signified Smith Harvestore which was a diviision of A.O. Smith that made frames for GM.   I don't think this is correct as Harvestore is a farm division of Smith and the frame business was a major part of the company so I don't think it would have been in the farm products group which came along much later than the frame business.
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: 87granny on December 28 2010, 10:24:02 AM
Quote from: "DCEPTCN @ Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:16 pm"
Quote from: "daveismissing @ Tue Dec 21, 2010 8:54 pm"
Quote from: "87granny @ Tue Dec 21, 2010 7:40 pm"
I know how to tell an 86 from an 87 by the vacuum lines on the passenger side

So its not just about the polished tin bling on the nose and the climate control availability?
...and the door pull strap.

As far as the metric goes...pretty much with any bolt on the Buick I'll first try it with a 15mm before I go to the toolbox.
Not my 86 i got a black grill :D  that makes it .5 sec. faster
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: firebird_1252 on December 28 2010, 11:14:29 AM
Quote from: "87granny @ Tue Dec 28, 2010 10:24 am"
Quote from: "DCEPTCN @ Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:16 pm"
Quote from: "daveismissing @ Tue Dec 21, 2010 8:54 pm"
Quote from: "87granny @ Tue Dec 21, 2010 7:40 pm"
I know how to tell an 86 from an 87 by the vacuum lines on the passenger side

So its not just about the polished tin bling on the nose and the climate control availability?
...and the door pull strap.

As far as the metric goes...pretty much with any bolt on the Buick I'll first try it with a 15mm before I go to the toolbox.
Not my 86 i got a black grill :D
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: TWIN86GNS on December 28 2010, 11:58:50 AM
They weren't lighter, they were just faster and better looking because of the grill!!!   :D

The interior light on the passenger kick panel was different on the 86's vs the 87's.
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: $1987 GN$ on December 28 2010, 12:06:31 PM
Well here is one for you wrap your head around.

I have seen where they put the power trunk release in and never have the control button to open it.

AJ___
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: 87granny on December 28 2010, 12:33:38 PM
Quote from: "firebird_1252 @ Tue Dec 28, 2010 11:14 am"
Quote from: "87granny @ Tue Dec 28, 2010 10:24 am"
Quote from: "DCEPTCN @ Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:16 pm"
Quote from: "daveismissing @ Tue Dec 21, 2010 8:54 pm"
Quote from: "87granny @ Tue Dec 21, 2010 7:40 pm"
I know how to tell an 86 from an 87 by the vacuum lines on the passenger side

So its not just about the polished tin bling on the nose and the climate control availability?
...and the door pull strap.

As far as the metric goes...pretty much with any bolt on the Buick I'll first try it with a 15mm before I go to the toolbox.
Not my 86 i got a black grill :D
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: WE4_Roller on December 28 2010, 05:27:59 PM
86's had more potential RPO codes than an '87 too.
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: Steve Wood on December 28 2010, 06:39:48 PM
Fuse block is one fuse different if I recall correctly
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: 87granny on December 28 2010, 06:48:45 PM
Quote from: "WE4_Roller @ Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:27 pm"
86's had more potential RPO codes than an '87 too.
Yea like peg leg that the 87 didn't have
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: gordyzx9r on December 28 2010, 08:14:19 PM
Is there somewhere that has a definitive description of the differences and uniqueness of the WH1, WE4, Turbo T, and T-Type?
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: TWIN86GNS on December 28 2010, 09:25:43 PM
You could get the 87's without Posi as well, a friend of mine bought his 1987 GN new back in 1987 and it was a non-posi car.

As an FYI, both of my 86 GN's came without Posi when new.  They now both spin both rear tires, the one has a spool and the other has a Posi added.
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: daveismissing on December 28 2010, 09:44:07 PM
I'm guessing they stuffed Posi in all those late build  option laden-ed 87's ? Perhaps that's why it seems like 87s had it?
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: firebird_1252 on December 29 2010, 10:25:06 AM
wasnt there one color that has never been seen? i know the gold is rare and i think grumpy had one. or was it that brown? maybe sage green was the real rare one? i could haev swore there was one color that no one has ever seen.
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: SuperSix on December 29 2010, 11:56:48 AM
I love the Rosewood. I had a Rosewood NA 87 T.
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: firebird_1252 on December 29 2010, 01:04:16 PM
nope not rosewood... wanna say maybe that cream color/
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: 87granny on December 30 2010, 09:15:28 PM
Quote from: "firebird_1252 @ Wed Dec 29, 2010 1:04 pm"
nope not rosewood... wanna say maybe that cream color/
I have seen the Buttercream color on an 87 T one of the MAGNA members has one
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: TRICKSIXPA on December 31 2010, 10:48:00 AM
I had my 84 repainted in a 87 color Royal Saphire Blue It came out really nice. I still want a grey t-type I think they are sharp. Wayne's Cream T-type is a beauty!!
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: ULYCYC on December 31 2010, 11:03:36 AM
A cure for a weak/slipping posi (not broken) is to do a dozen figure 8's in reverse.
It scuff's up the plates and will fix for months or years.
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: firebird_1252 on December 31 2010, 12:00:45 PM
Quote from: "ULYCYC @ Fri Dec 31, 2010 11:03 am"
A cure for a weak/slipping posi (not broken) is to do a dozen figure 8's in reverse.
It scuff's up the plates and will fix for months or years.


you serious? lol i dont want to look insane in reverse.. how long do you got to do it for?
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: ULYCYC on December 31 2010, 12:18:44 PM
Quote from: "firebird_1252 @ Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:00 pm"
Quote from: "ULYCYC @ Fri Dec 31, 2010 11:03 am"
A cure for a weak/slipping posi (not broken) is to do a dozen figure 8's in reverse.
It scuff's up the plates and will fix for months or years.


you serious? lol i dont want to look insane in reverse.. how long do you got to do it for?


Rob you look the same no matter of what direction you travel :rolleyes:
Yes I'm serious. It scuff's up the plates and removes all the shit buildup.
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: firebird_1252 on December 31 2010, 01:41:48 PM
Quote from: "ULYCYC @ Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:18 pm"
Quote from: "firebird_1252 @ Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:00 pm"
Quote from: "ULYCYC @ Fri Dec 31, 2010 11:03 am"
A cure for a weak/slipping posi (not broken) is to do a dozen figure 8's in reverse.
It scuff's up the plates and will fix for months or years.


you serious? lol i dont want to look insane in reverse.. how long do you got to do it for?


Rob you look the same no matter of what direction you travel :rolleyes:
Yes I'm serious. It scuff's up the plates and removes all the shit buildup.
:D
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: tb3 on December 31 2010, 04:18:30 PM
Quote from: "TWIN86GNS @ Tue Dec 28, 2010 10:58 am"
They weren't lighter, they were just faster and better looking because of the grill!!!
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: motorhead on January 01 2011, 01:06:40 PM
Buying one will quickly drain your liquid assets.
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: firebird_1252 on January 01 2011, 01:37:53 PM
Quote from: "motorheadmike @ Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:06 pm"
Buying one will quickly drain your liquid assets.
the truest thing you ever said.
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: Recklessrob on January 09 2011, 03:43:03 AM
Quote from: "tb3 @ Fri Dec 31, 2010 4:18 pm"
Quote from: "TWIN86GNS @ Tue Dec 28, 2010 10:58 am"
They weren't lighter, they were just faster and better looking because of the grill!!!
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: tb3 on January 09 2011, 03:47:02 AM
every 84-86 gn i've ever seen has had the alum supports.  including my own 84.  anything is possible though, specially with these cars being so old
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: tb3 on January 09 2011, 03:49:16 AM
lol!  i sound like dennis kirban,   but....
something else i've noticed is that every car that has the factory theft alarm, also has the dash wiring harness with the connectors all wired in for twilight centianal.
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: tb3 on January 09 2011, 04:02:55 AM
heres another one,

alot of people liken the front of the 84-86 gn's to darth vaders mask.  the head of the buick division was a huge star wars fan at the time, and definetly thought the new 84 gn's front end should resemble vaders mask.  when george lucas heard of this,  he had one of the new gn's shipped to one of the return of the jedi sets during filming and if you watch the movie at about 2.46:59,  pause it when you see the 2 storm troopers marching past a tie fighter with the emperors guard.  you have to go real slow but you'll see a gn off in the back next to a shield power generator.  you may have to go in forward and reverse several times and get real close to your tv, but you'll eventually see it
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: ULYCYC on January 09 2011, 08:57:19 AM
On a Canadian two dollar bill, the flag flying over the Parliament building is an American flag.  :rofl;
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: 87granny on January 09 2011, 10:26:54 AM
There is an 86 GNX with touch climant control and i have seen pics.
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: DCEPTCN on January 09 2011, 01:06:46 PM
Quote from: "tb3 @ Sun Jan 09, 2011 1:49 am"
lol!
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: turbobuickltd on January 09 2011, 02:12:06 PM
Quote from: "ULYCYC @ Sun Jan 09, 2011 8:57 am"
On a Canadian two dollar bill, the flag flying over the Parliament building is an American flag.
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: DCEPTCN on January 09 2011, 02:16:12 PM
That and a buck'll get ya a cup of coffee.
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: gordyzx9r on January 09 2011, 02:30:58 PM
Quote from: "turbobuickltd @ Sun Jan 09, 2011 2:12 pm"
Quote from: "ULYCYC @ Sun Jan 09, 2011 8:57 am"
On a Canadian two dollar bill, the flag flying over the Parliament building is an American flag.
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: DCEPTCN on January 09 2011, 02:57:07 PM
Perhaps you could throw a $5 Canadian bill to whomever feels that you're stealing their bandwidth?
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: SuperSix on January 09 2011, 03:05:34 PM
Yeah, bitch!
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: Spoolin' on January 09 2011, 05:04:49 PM
My car is a late build 87 w/ t-tops and digital dash. I've been told on two occasions that this is somewhat rare by two different people, but haven't found anything to back up that statement.
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: daveismissing on January 09 2011, 06:09:40 PM
Ever seen a Buick owner who doesn't think his combination of options is rare?
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: tb3 on January 10 2011, 11:10:03 AM
Quote from: "tb3 @ Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:02 am"
heres another one,

alot of people liken the front of the 84-86 gn's to darth vaders mask.
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: DCEPTCN on January 10 2011, 12:08:54 PM
Quote from: "daveismissing @ Sun Jan 09, 2011 4:09 pm"
Ever seen a Buick owner who doesn't think his combination of options is rare?
:doh;  X2
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: DCEPTCN on January 10 2011, 12:10:05 PM
Quote from: "tb3 @ Mon Jan 10, 2011 9:10 am"
Quote from: "tb3 @ Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:02 am"
heres another one,

alot of people liken the front of the 84-86 gn's to darth vaders mask.
Title: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: 1twisted6 on January 10 2011, 12:50:01 PM
Quote from: "daveismissing @ Sun Jan 09, 2011 5:09 pm"
Ever seen a Buick owner who doesn't think his combination of options is rare?


Well in Spoolin's defense, as I'm sure you guys already know, late build '87s were "supposedly" cranked out as fast as possible, hard tops, & with what parts were available.

So, in theory, for a late '87 build to have T-tops and a digital dash that was still laying around the parts bin, is unique.

BTW, I'm a stereotypical Buick owner with a rare combo. I have a 1 of 1,595 '87 Canadian export. It has a factory 140 speedo, in KM that is. :w00t:
Title: Re: what are some interesting facts and figures some of us may not know?
Post by: DCEPTCN on January 10 2011, 12:56:46 PM
I've owned two '87 GNs...both optioned identicaly (well). I guess that's probably not very strange.
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