Hi everyone, just thought I'd post a thread concerning the car I just picked up. Got an 86 Grand National with astro roof (wouldn't be my first choice, but I don't really mind it either). Haven't attempted to drive it, worried about what has been done to it. it's been sitting for quite some time, and it's kind of a mess under the hood with wiring and plugs that don't seem to go anywhere. I know some of it is for the air conditioning which has been removed, but other connections are really troubling. The other thing is there's some kind of valve on the boost/vacuum line to the waste gate that's just dangling, I think it's some kind of boost controller but I don't know how it works.
Think I should take my chances and just fire it up take it down the street and see what it does? After changing all the fluids and filters of course... Or do you think I should preemptively pull the engine and have it checked out and freshened up?
Oil pressure seems low to me, around 20-25 psi cold at idle, lower when warm, bit of smoke comes out of the valve cover breathers... Could be blow by, or maybe something more serious? Been told the stock timing chain sprockets are a weak link and if original should be changed. Also was told oil system is marginal at best, so a good fresh high pressure/volume pump is essential. Think I should pull the timing cover and rebuild the pump, and replace the timing set, and hope for the best?
I can afford a total overhaul, but I don't want to if it's not worth it. But I have this gut feeling is got a blown head gasket or something else bad... There's no oil in the radiator, and no coolant in the oil, but the oil on the underside of the filler cap was all milky.
Maybe I'll just change the oil and filter, and drain and refill the cooling system and see what happens. Sorry if I'm rambling or not making much sense, just got the car and my mind is kind of going in circles.
Think I should take my chances and just fire it up take it down the street and see what it does? After changing all the fluids and filters of course... Or do you think I should preemptively pull the engine and have it checked out and freshened up?
Oil pressure seems low to me, around 20-25 psi cold at idle, lower when warm, bit of smoke comes out of the valve cover breathers... Could be blow by, or maybe something more serious? Been told the stock timing chain sprockets are a weak link and if original should be changed. Also was told oil system is marginal at best, so a good fresh high pressure/volume pump is essential. Think I should pull the timing cover and rebuild the pump, and replace the timing set, and hope for the best?
I can afford a total overhaul, but I don't want to if it's not worth it. But I have this gut feeling is got a blown head gasket or something else bad... There's no oil in the radiator, and no coolant in the oil, but the oil on the underside of the filler cap was all milky.
Maybe I'll just change the oil and filter, and drain and refill the cooling system and see what happens. Sorry if I'm rambling or not making much sense, just got the car and my mind is kind of going in circles.
