[Shotimes] Got the '89 back, now to see if I can bring it back

[Ron Porter]

The "harder  harder" to shift is either (1) clutch is not working right
(which are the symptoms that I currently have on my dying clutch), or (20
the fluid is trashed after 200k+ miles.

Do the fluid change first, to see if it helps.

The parking brake can be adjusted with the turnbuckles under the drivers
side of the car. Try that first.

Buy 4 new a/s tires, not just two. The alignment "should" be OK, but the
only thing to really have checked is the toe-in on the front (since the
strut mounts are welded, which lock in camber & caster). Don't pay for a
full alignment, just get a shop to check F&R toe-in.

Trying tightening the clamps where the heater hoses clamp to the copper
lines right at the firewall. Get 'em TIGHT. Many of the "dead heater core"
repairs are simple due to these connections leaking.

For minor interior parts, contact Al Fitzgerald at www.alfitz.com He is "The
Man" for used SHO parts (endorsement from a regular customer!!)

For the shift knob, buy a Hurst # 163-0114 from Summit. It's an 8-ball,
black plastic knob. Feels great! Or we can make a deal for the used one that
I have!!

Go to Castrol or Valvoline MaxLife 10w-30 oils. For bad valve seals, or
leaky front or rear crank seals, it works fine!

Ron Porter 

-----Original Message-----
From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net [mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of Jim Heaton
Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2003 2:55 PM
To: Ron Porter
Cc: shotimes@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: [Shotimes] Got the '89 back, now to see if I can bring it back


Update:

The car pulls stronger than I would have expected,
though what I run it harder it seems to get harder to
shift at idle into 1st or reverse for a little while.
I would guess all the engine basics are good. Clutch
was done only a few thousand miles ago but by a shade
tree mechanic and could have done a good or horrible
job. I recommend they look thru the SHO archives but
no idea if that happened.

In addition to the other stuff I listed, the parking
brake does not hold car. Pedal is low but seems to
stop car ok, but brakes were frozen on clod days last
winter and worked above freezing - I bet it needs a
bleeeding badly. Front tires need to be rotated
desperately but they seem to still have a bit above
legal tread. I'll need 2 new Dunlops before James gets
it. Springs in back are low. Struts seem a bit weak
but passable for now. Allignment is good.

No antenna, auto light on sensor gone, trunk release
does not work, trashed hood liner. The alternator
light is on even though there is a newer rebuilt unit
in there and a new battery. I am going to clean
connections next then look for loose glazed belts. No
AC for a long time from when Randy had it, so a
recharge is probably not going to hold I would assume.
Wisps of vapor come from the vent to the windshield. 

I think it must be using oil - I will find out after
the change. I think I will do another change in 500
miles to get some gunk out. Han be notchy going into
2nd and sometimes hard to synch into reverse/1st.
Broken aftermarket CD hacked in and not working.

The turn signal does not self turn off. I have a
couple of long light bulbs to put in back since one is
off. 

Shifter knob is all torn up. It looks like under the
leather and white backing is a ruber knob. I am
considering peeling it down to just that.

Lots of broken or missing interior trim bits. Too many
other things to think of right now. Off to get some
fresh oil in there at least and get the good tires on
the drive wheels.

Sigh. At least it runs down the road and stops.

-Jim