1985 Buick Electra - Phase 2: Upgrades

Nice work. Much easier with the engine out of the car. I think every single LS truck engine I've ever worked on has at least one broken exhaust manifold bolt.

 

I'm heading to Everett early next month; I can stop by the Public Library, where they may still have wiring diagrams for mid-'80s GM cars, among other resources for them.

 

I hate busted off exhaust manifold bolts. FORD FE engines are famous for that as well.
Glad to see the steady progress. Thanks for the update.

 

The FE's only saving grace is they're the top ones, which can be drilled out, if done right. Done my share of those pe¢kerheads. The replacement bolts get slathered with anti-sneeze.

 

That would certainly be helpful. I often forget that libraries may have that kind of info. My local library is pretty small though.

Since I was 90% sure I didn't need any of it, I removed the harness for the CPU completely. The harness on the other side I just plan to manually check what each wire does if I can't get a wiring diagram.

 

Another idea--would you post the wagon's 8th VIN digit and the computer's 7-digit part number? I can hop on Chilton online, see if there's anything usable there, such as a pin voltage chart, which will have pin position and wire color code.

 

I just had another thought, and I accessed Chilton online, just with year/make/model, and it's not much, but there might be enough to get started.

Now, there are two engine diagrams, you'll need to choose the correct one. There aren't any pin voltage diagrams on here for your car, but at least you can find the car functions and power/ground wires you'll need for the LS harness. BTW, if I haven't already said it, I'm grooving on the Mustang in the background of your first posted pics! '68?

 

That's amazing! Especially because they didn't bother to put that in the actual Chilton's manual I have for this car. It looks like it's missing significant parts of the wiring harness, but it's a lot more than I have now. Thanks!

As for the Mustang, you mentioned it. There's a couple pics and info of it on my first thread about the Buick:
1985 Buick Electra - Phase 1: Repairs | Station Wagon Forums

 

With the way my memory is, I likely already commented but forgot.

 

OK, I know I am rather slow at finishing up projects. But, it's not all my fault.


I ordered this lock ring for the fuel pump well over a year ago, first from Rock Auto who eventually canceled the order, then Summit, who shipped the part after being on backorder for two months. A couple more parts and I can get back on track

 

Well, in any case, welcome back. What are the other parts, and what still needs to be done before your wagon's back on the road?

 

So, it turns out that was the locking ring for another project car I have and the one I need is still on backorder. Well, I've finally got done with a few other things that were taking up my time and I need to get some progress done on the wagon. So, I looked at what the part is supposed to look like:




And drew it up in SolidWorks, and glued it to some cardboard so I could test fit it:



After a couple tweaks, I sent it to SendCutSend to cut it out and send it to me:



And... tank is ready to be installed now (pump is installed, filler neck installed):

 

That is really cool! What would you have done if that ring needed bends in it? Like on older '70s cars?

 

Good question. While I could hopefully still draw it up and have them make it (SendCutSend will bend parts too, now), I'd have a lot more concerns. It definitely would have been more complicated, and may have taken a couple of iterations to get right. The last thing I want is for this to leak.

My model is based off a picture, so I had to make some assumptions, and refined it with measurements from the mating parts. The original picture shows a series of bumps around the ring. I assume those are used to increase stiffness of the part, I simplified it by ignoring those but made it quite thick to compensate.

 

Nas!
I love it. Old school hotrodding.