Hi,
I'm trying to get a 85 Sunbird running. It's been sitting in my barn since 2006, I started it once in a while. It's a 2.0 L, with a single throttle body. Currently it will run if I pour a little gas down the throttle body, until it's all used up. Fuel pump primes, fuel pump runs when it is running. I just drained all the old gas out of the tank and put fresh in. Gas is getting to the throttle body, and I can see it spraying out the bottom of the injector when rolling over. When I don't put gas down the throttle body, it will cough try to run on initial start up but that's it.
I drove it into the garage from the barn about a month ago it took some coaxing.
thanks Bruce.
Uh this is def the wrong place for your post.This needs to be placed in the first gen forums!Not knocking you but,most people here own the newer stuff,and tend not to be fluent with our generation.However I would suggest 1. change the fuel fitler(I sure hope you did),2 even tho the pump primes means zero bc unless it is reading 9-13 psi the car simply will not run when the pressure it below these specs.Change your filter.Your car will not have a schrader valve like the newer 86,87 models do to lock on and check psi.You have to T in to the fuel line,but my guess is your pump maybe weak,and to replace it requires dropping the fuel tank.I will not go further with info until you post back.I will see if I can get this post moved to the correct forum.Ron
Thanks for moving this post to first gen, and thanks for the reply.
I filled the tank half full of gas, I can get it to run by feathering the gas. I put a pressure gauge on the fuel line. I have very little pressure. Can I put a new pump in line external to the tank, at the tank? I really don't want to disturb the sending unit. LOL
thanks Bruce
I honestly would NOT recommend that.Because the fuel pump actually has a filter internally that CAN get clogged up.It took me about 3 hrs to drop my tank,replace the pump and reinstall and clean up.My best suggestion is lube your tank straps a day or two before with some liquid wrench and you have to disconnect the two hoses from the fuel filler neck going to the tank.I put my car on car ramps to have loads of room,and very easy access.While you have the tank OUT I would drain it,clean it out really good to get the rust,trash out of it.There is a product you can buy to clean fuel tanks out,I have seen it at napa,maybe auto zone,and carquest does carry it.Sorry no name of product.If I find it I will post back.Seriously drop the tank,to do this.Glad to help out.If I was close to you I would help but,doubt it,without checking where you are.I am in NC myself.I got my ac delco pump years ago from auto zone like 45.00.I know the price is higher now maybe.Check around.Just have your tools ready,bolts sprayed before and latex gloves it really is simple to do,Ron
thanks Ron.
ouch, I put all new gas lines on it front to back and was hoping to leave the sending unit alone, hopefully it will not develope any new gas line holes when I disturbe it LOL
or end up needing a new gas tank. We have owned the car since 1998, My wife drove it, handed it down to my second daugther, now it's time to move on to my 3rd daugther, she really wants a yellow Mustang
Bruce
Hi Bruce! Just my 2 cents worth to add, but I'd recommend replacing the pump too. The ethanol in the gas these days is hard on the electric pumps....I've even heard of buddies having problems with vehicles only several years old. Add that to the age of the one in yours and you've got a time bomb waiting to go off. I had one go out on me on an '86 Ranger several years ago about 70 miles away from home....wasn't pretty. The price and effort of a new one in your back yard will save you the headache of getting stranded and the cost of a tow bill , of repair job out on the road somewhere!! I replaced several over the years on j-bodies and Rangers the worse thing for me personally have been that dog gone lock ring .....Grrrrrrr!!! I saw one for $50 at Autozone for my '84 Sunbird - 1.8 non turbo.
Also try to start it up from time to time. We had an '85 Sunbird many years ago , wound up letting it sit for 8-9 months ...never started it up. When we did get back to it, that car never ran right again. Hope you have many happy miles!! :-)
thanks for the reply, I'll start on it this weekend. I know it's going to snowball, Start by trying to replace the pump, then , sock, filter, sending unit and tank. I'm in Central Ontario, we have a touch of snow on the ground this morning.
Bruce
yep - we had some flurries last night in SE Michigan
Hi John!!
So nice to see your 2 convertibles so well cared for :-)
When then the weather gets so really bad, you can pull the cover back and hop in and remember the pretty weather will be back again!! :-)
My type 10 cav stays in doors year round covered.She will be getting some attention soon! Finally after mow season,and some other projects finally done around the house.Btw my cars name is sunny! Got it with the car from my sister back in 98 when I took possession of it for ME.I will say the cav did great in snow,last time I drove it in heavy snow over a foot,was around late 98 and did awesome.Old sunny see's NO wet period these days.
Yep, it's time to think about putting them up if you got a place to use.Sounds like Sunny will be one of the last ones around since it is so well cared for!! :-) Unfortunately, I've just got a single car garage to keep only one in, and of course it has to come out when I'm working on anything else, but at least I can keep the Coupe out of the elements most of the time. My wagon has been a daily for 9 years now, and it does really well in the snow too. I do the best I can to keep the body up on it from the elements tho.
Finally gave up on the '86 Ranger this summer. Ripped the carpet up & pulled the seats, and cleaned up the floorboards as good as possible. After 4 coats of Rustoleum I decided to dive in and lay a couple of thick coats of Cool Seal you use on the top of mobile homes. Had to deal with the stench for a few months, but it really worked great in the end. Tossed the old carpet, and floor is at least very easy to care for now.
Ok you guy's are making me feel bad, we only had a touch of snow, you had 6" on Oct 29 it's going to make for a long winter.
I'm fixing this Sunbird up to be a daily driver for my daughter, your tucking your's away for the winter.
Test rigged the new pump into the car before removing the tank, it works like a charm.
thanks for all your help
Bruce
Bruce, I saw your cars. That Sunbird will make a nice lil ride for your daughter! :-) You DO like Buicks , don't you!
I remember having a '73 Centurion with a 455CID when I was a teenager.....never wanted such a beast ever again, lucky I didn't get my killin' done in that thing!! :-O Oh the thinks we got away with when we were kids.....I feel for the kids out there today, everyone watching them .....hard to be a kid nowadays. Oh yeah, who painted "DAD" on your wall? LOL
Well I will recommend this site
http://www.carcoveroutlet.com I bought a waterproof!!!! cover for my now previous daily driver (87 mazda trk) for 72.00 FREE shipping on budge and elite brands in the usa.This blocks out ALL the weather.They by far are the cheapest cost on the net,I found and keeps my now 24yr old truck dry,and protect my finish,and yeah it really does work.Years ago target had some waterproof covers for 40 bux bought several which kept sunny dry before my garage was built.It will save a paint job,and no moisture build up.Granted you have to check for your application and price maybe less bc my truck is so long,with the cabplus.
Orlen Brown wrote:Bruce, I saw your cars. That Sunbird will make a nice lil ride for your daughter! :-) You DO like Buicks , don't you!
I remember having a '73 Centurion with a 455CID when I was a teenager.....never wanted such a beast ever again, lucky I didn't get my killin' done in that thing!! :-O Oh the thinks we got away with when we were kids.....I feel for the kids out there today, everyone watching them .....hard to be a kid nowadays. Oh yeah, who painted "DAD" on your wall? LOL
The things we got away with is right, lucky we weren't killed, or hurt some one else.
One of my daughters painted the sign and gave it to me for Christmas when they were young, I put it up in the garage.
Ron Love wrote:Well I will recommend this site http://www.carcoveroutlet.com I bought a waterproof!!!! cover for my now previous daily driver (87 mazda trk) for 72.00 FREE shipping on budge and elite brands in the usa.This blocks out ALL the weather.They by far are the cheapest cost on the net,I found and keeps my now 24yr old truck dry,and protect my finish,and yeah it really does work.Years ago target had some waterproof covers for 40 bux bought several which kept sunny dry before my garage was built.It will save a paint job,and no moisture build up.Granted you have to check for your application and price maybe less bc my truck is so long,with the cabplus.
Thanks for the link I'll check them out.
Bruce
Anyone tried to the the headliner out of one of these. It only comes out the passenger front door, the seats have to be just set right and it's like handling an egg shell. I've got it out to re-glue the fabric back on it.
Bruce
Now that was done by a good friend of mine,former boyfriend of my sisters yrs back.He removed the headliner and mine has a sunroof,and put NEW material on the board and glued it and still solid to this day.He is a auto guy and did resto work before on mustangs (very detailed stuff) in and out.I might suggest buying some new headliner material over using the old seriously.Just remove the plastic stuff at the pillars and dome light,it will come right out.There are plenty of onlne sites that sell automotive upholestry material mines like a felt type.I am totally running out of gas longggg day not enuff sleep.I just wanted to share some insight on this.It is not bad to do.Alright.
