New guy. Possibly joining the community.

[DerekTheGreat]

Pics or it didn't happen.

[Salty Dog]

She was sitting under a tree for hail protection. Only thing I've done is put on new tires. After that I drove it 300 miles back home. I haven't had a chance to rinse it off yet, but I think it will clean up nice.

[sly]

[Chuck Norris]

She looks great! I'm glad you were able to bring her home. Looks like a real nice car. Anything you have planned for it, or just driving it until the wheels fall off? Hard to go wrong with that!

[Salty Dog]

I just want to have it super clean, a little bit faster and a better sounding exhaust.

When I drove it home last night it felt like it would give a good jerk when it downshifted to go up hills. It also would have little bumps like it wasn't running smoothly. I'm going to start a thread on it and go from there. Thanks yall!

[87gtVIC]

When you wash it clay bar it with the remaining soapy water and wash it over again. This will get the paint super smooth and rid it of any tree contaminants. Make sure to at least wax it after the fact to protect the open pores of the paint.

[knucklehead0202]

She's a frickin' beauty! Have you checked the throttle-valve bushing? That can make for funny transmission behavior. Otherwise, look over the basics, check for vacuum leaks and give her a good tune-up. Then it's time for some noisy dual exhaust and let your imagination run wild from there!

[Salty Dog]

I checked the throttle valve bushing but it's still there. It feels like it's held tight and the plastic and spring thing seem to moving freely. I started on the tune-up last night. Only got four plugs and wires in (.050 gap) before it got too late. Plus the other four on the passenger side look like they might be a PIA to get to. Do I have to remove alot of stuff to get to those?

[Salty Dog]

In OD It's making a wierd grind noise when it's finishing the downshift. only really hear it when trying to accelerate up a hill or punch it a little. I sure hope the tune up helps.

[DerekTheGreat]

You sure you're not hearing pinging from predetonation or timing being too far advanced? That kinda sounds like grinding. You'd certainly hear pinging in the situations you've described if your timing is too far advanced.

Ashley's '89 and my '88 are both running 13 degrees yet her car pings under the exact situations you've described. She's probably got more carbon built up in her engine. Haven't bumped it down to 12 because she's getting great MPG.

As for the passenger plugs it looks like you just need to disconnect the smog stuff and use universals & extensions. Never did it, I saw that garbage & farmed it out.

[Salty Dog]

Not really a pinging sound. I'm familiar with that noise as I ran my 72 F100 advanced for about a month before I got my own timing light. I tried to set it by ear and that didn't go so well

This sounds like when you run over the rumble strips on the side of the road. And it happens at the very end of the shift right as the RPM's go down. I'll see what I can do with the other four plugs now that there's daylight.

[mcninetyone]

Pass. side plugs are hard to get to but not impossible, it's all that smog pump stuff in the way.
The thing to do is pull all that junk out, plug whatever lines you have you plug, junk the air pump, get a smaller belt and get rid of that crap.
Then pass. side plugs are easy.

[knucklehead0202]

Hell I did all my plugs without removing anything, just takes the right extensions and shit. Anyhow Dog, if you car is grumbling when shifting into OD then your transmission may be doomed. Either way i'd recommend getting the brass TV bushing on there but it may be too late to save that. If you need one I bought a 4-pack. PM me your address and i'll send you one. Finish off your tune-up anyway and see if it makes a difference, run some injector cleaner through the car, seafoam, b-12 chemtool or whatever your snake-oil of choice is. Trans may just need to be serviced too. I had EVERYTHING changed when I got my '90 because I figured who knows when the last time any of it was touched.

[Chuck Norris]

Salty, I dunno how much of a DIY type you are, or how well versed you are in car repair and maintenance. I'm gonna post a link to a video below. I apologize if it's stuff you already know. But if this is new info to you, check out your fluid based on the indicators in the video. If the fluid is burnt, start saving your nickles and dimes for a new tranny or a rebuild. If it is just worn, try a fluid and filter change. I personally recommend adding a quart of Lucas Stop-Slip with your fluid change, or even if you are just a little low. Some people here don't believe in it, but I have used it for several years in my 1993 Roadmaster, and it has helped the trans to shift more smoothly and considerably slowed a leak at the extension housing seal. First time I used it was in the mountains of North Carolina, then the car seemed to be struggling a little. I was impressed with the results.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o690DovjDAc

[Salty Dog]

Thanks Chuck, just watched the video. I dropped the pan and changed the transmission fluid over the weekend and the fluid didn't look so bad. It was still was a light brown, pink color. Its shifting pretty smooth. Perfectly around town, and fine for now.

I changed out the other four plugs and wires with an extension but the motor was still a shaky when it was idling. I cleaned the throttle body using the "wife's toothbrush" method and it made all the difference. Now it's running smooth and the idle is strong.