86SS -New Owner- Questions/Observation

[ed1948]

Picked up the SS and made the 3 1/2 hour drive home.
-idles at 750 in gear when warmed u, 950 in neutral
-coolant temp is slightly on the cold side (it's metric, needle only moves 1/3)
-speedo twitches occasionally when going up to speed
-volts gauge ready slightly low, twitches with 4 ways on
-engine fan is noisy during acceleration also slight pinging

so far I have
-tightened carb bolts/torx screws
-checked for vaccum leaks
-shimmed lower drivers side hinge - hinge bushings have no play but door was hanging low at striker
(also striker mounting metal has slight cracking = probably from supporting door)
-lube hinges, door latches
-treated rubber seals and dried exterior striping with Aerospace 303
-auto adjusted the drum brakes

The dash is grey/blue- ish and has 0 cracking - any tips to keep it that way???
Need to remember to set the choke on cold starts

This car does what GM did best---great shifting auto trans and comfortable highway(freeways to you Americans) driving experience in a stylish vehicle

 

[Turboelky]

Put a material dash cover on but don't use the sticky Velcro. Use a sun shade whenever possible and don't let interior get really hot if possible. Garage the car if possible and maybe light tint the windshield. That will preserve the dash. Sun and heat is the enemy! Post a pic!!

 

[theoldsone]

Welcome to G body life, lol.
Every G body I had or drove has done what your saying with the speedo. Pinging can be the old gas...? Or if not, check your timing and pour some 89. Imo dash covers are ugly. Put some UV protectant spray.

Freeways? Highways is what I always called it. Maybe I'm not American...

 

[axisg]

what no pics ?

 

[Turboelky]

Even I know better than to join a forum and not post pics!!

 

[ed1948]

Even I know better than to join a forum and not post pics!!

Guilty - with an explanation.
I have the car on blocks checking the brakes, suspension components and doing a front end lube job. Also going to put a vid of a total chassis and frame scan on the U toob....This chassis eclipses the beauty of Marylin Monroe(wow, I'm really dating myself)

In the meanwhile - the above should shut you up for a while. (said in a respectful tone of voice)

 

[ed1948]

-I was able to get the idle down by adjusting the throttle stop screw
-bypassed the thermac vacuum flap - I felt like it was opening incompletely
-checked the clutch fan - the bi metal strip is ok but the adjusting pin does not change turning resistance of the clutch

 

[Opie Knievel]

Welcome to the forum. It looks like you've found a mint '86 SS. Congrats on such a good find. Sounds like the few issues it has are minor. I bet it's a blast to drive. How many miles are on the car?

 

[Longroof79]

You've certainly scored a nice Monte...nice color combination, too. No matter how nice a car you pickup is, there's always going to be small annoyances that need attention, besides other tweaks, and giving the car your personal touches.
Good luck with it.

 

[ed1948]

Another new guy question.
When the SS is parked in my garage after a drive I can smell raw fuel when entering the garage. Is this normal with the fuel perculating out of the carb? I had tightened the carb fasteners and there is no visible leak.
Keeping in mind it's been a long time since I've had a carb'd car.