86TAgirl
11-26-2006, 05:58 PM
Ok, a few years ago my ex (who shall be referred to as the asshole - ha!) wrecked my T/A. He rear-ended a Suburban on the freeway. Long story sort, my car has now pretty much just sat for almost 4 years. 2 of those years were spent rotting at a "body shop" (junkyard if you ask me) where some jerk was supposed to fix it - but managed to fuck it up even more. (now - thanks to him I need an all new interior - funny what happens when you leave windows down and it RAINS inside the car) So now I have a car that needs body work, electrical work, interior work and mechanical shit too of course. Yeah, yeah, I probably should "just junk it!" but I'm stubborn like that, this car really is my baby. I'm on my own here in this project and have a lot of issues to deal with. Hopefully the great minds of 3GO (hahahaha-oh... just kidding guys) can help? Here are some pressing questions I have (so far)...
1 -- The entire nose (radiator support forward) was welded on from another car. So right now, there is a big empty space in front of the engine. Basically I don't know what all goes there! It's been a while since I've SEEN an intact 3rdgen.. I dismantled mine after the wreck, almost 4 years back. So, I need a "shopping list" to fill that hole. I know the obvious stuff - radiator, upper and lower hoses, fan... But what else?? There's also a tranny cooler (I think that's what it is? - looks like a small radiator) so I'll need that, plus the lines for it... Does anyone have a good source for pictures/diagrams of what I need and where everything goes? Either a website or maybe someone can snap a few pics of their car in that area? This is like a damn puzzle where you don't know how many pieces there are and you don't have a picture to work from as far as where the pieces go! LOL
2 -- I found the original wiring harness for the front end (headights, ect) balled up in the engine compartment. It is still attached to the car. The "new" front end also has a wiring harness, the main bundle of wires (where it would go back to the firewall) has been cut and is just hanging there. My question here is: Which would be better? Connecting the wiring in the new front end to the existing wires that route to the firewall, or rip the "new" wires out of the nose and route the existing harness to the lights and so on... I hope that makes sense!
3 -- On to the body! This jerk welded on the new nose, and mounted new fenders and a hood. Problem is, nothing lines up. The hood is cocked off to the driver's side and doesn't even close at the front corner there. I know there's a way to adjust that, but how do you do it? I'd assume it's somewhere by the mouting brackets... I looked and couldn't see where it would adjust. As far as the fenders, they don't line up with the headlights at all. The headlights are a half-inch to an inch lower than the fenders (when they are down). Is the location of the fenders adjustable or are the headlights adjustable? Someone had told me that maybe the fenders are just set too high, but I have no clue...
4 -- Ok, as far as the engine. Any tips for what to do with an engine that has sat so long? I did have to start it a couple of times when I moved a few months ago. I had to put it on a trailer and with one person there was no way I was pushing it. I changed the oil, new filter... and put fresh gas in before I fired it up, but I didn't drain the tank. (I'm thinking I should do that?) I'm not TOO concerned with the engine, because eventually I plan to replace it anyway, but it'd be nice if I could get it to run somewhat so I can limp along until I get the new engine. I just wanna drive my damn car again!!
I think that's it for now. Those are the big questions I've had... Any help would be MUCH appreciated. I do have pictures of everything if someone needs clarification. (not sure if I made any sense on some of it - haha) THANKS!
1 -- The entire nose (radiator support forward) was welded on from another car. So right now, there is a big empty space in front of the engine. Basically I don't know what all goes there! It's been a while since I've SEEN an intact 3rdgen.. I dismantled mine after the wreck, almost 4 years back. So, I need a "shopping list" to fill that hole. I know the obvious stuff - radiator, upper and lower hoses, fan... But what else?? There's also a tranny cooler (I think that's what it is? - looks like a small radiator) so I'll need that, plus the lines for it... Does anyone have a good source for pictures/diagrams of what I need and where everything goes? Either a website or maybe someone can snap a few pics of their car in that area? This is like a damn puzzle where you don't know how many pieces there are and you don't have a picture to work from as far as where the pieces go! LOL
2 -- I found the original wiring harness for the front end (headights, ect) balled up in the engine compartment. It is still attached to the car. The "new" front end also has a wiring harness, the main bundle of wires (where it would go back to the firewall) has been cut and is just hanging there. My question here is: Which would be better? Connecting the wiring in the new front end to the existing wires that route to the firewall, or rip the "new" wires out of the nose and route the existing harness to the lights and so on... I hope that makes sense!
3 -- On to the body! This jerk welded on the new nose, and mounted new fenders and a hood. Problem is, nothing lines up. The hood is cocked off to the driver's side and doesn't even close at the front corner there. I know there's a way to adjust that, but how do you do it? I'd assume it's somewhere by the mouting brackets... I looked and couldn't see where it would adjust. As far as the fenders, they don't line up with the headlights at all. The headlights are a half-inch to an inch lower than the fenders (when they are down). Is the location of the fenders adjustable or are the headlights adjustable? Someone had told me that maybe the fenders are just set too high, but I have no clue...
4 -- Ok, as far as the engine. Any tips for what to do with an engine that has sat so long? I did have to start it a couple of times when I moved a few months ago. I had to put it on a trailer and with one person there was no way I was pushing it. I changed the oil, new filter... and put fresh gas in before I fired it up, but I didn't drain the tank. (I'm thinking I should do that?) I'm not TOO concerned with the engine, because eventually I plan to replace it anyway, but it'd be nice if I could get it to run somewhat so I can limp along until I get the new engine. I just wanna drive my damn car again!!
I think that's it for now. Those are the big questions I've had... Any help would be MUCH appreciated. I do have pictures of everything if someone needs clarification. (not sure if I made any sense on some of it - haha) THANKS!