EF5.0's recovery and beyond project

Musturd

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Right on buddy nice score on the seats. What a difference fresh black carpet makes ehhh? I remember doing mine last summer when I did my cage so worth it. You've made some amazing progress on this can't wait to see it with a nice drop
 
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EF5.0

EF5.0

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Right on buddy nice score on the seats. What a difference fresh black carpet makes ehhh? I remember doing mine last summer when I did my cage so worth it. You've made some amazing progress on this can't wait to see it with a nice drop

Thanks man, carpet looks great, except for where I miss cut and had to patch. And there is a little excess in the back the bulges out...


New development in my needed maintenance. In addition to needing a full tune-up.... I also have to get my exhaust done. Heard a creaking/grinding sound when hitting small drops in the road (nothing bad just normal driving) so I crawled under my car to see if I could see anything visibly hanging down or showing grind wear. Did not find anything that seemed to be causing the sound. But I did figure out why my exhaust just sounds drone-y...

The back of the mufflers are rusted out...
Drivers side:
IMG_20121126_174428_903.jpg


Passengers:
IMG_20121126_174425_343.jpg



So it looks like exhaust has jumped up from #1 on my want list, to #2 or 3 on my need list...
 

cobra head

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nice build thread sry to hear about the mustangin the storm but looks like its coming along just fine
 
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EF5.0

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Got my car back from the shop today. Clutch, tob and pilot bearing were replaced. In the process of doing something fumbling around my engine bay, the mechanics broke a Air Check valve on my smog pump system... snapped the threaded the portion away from the rest of it. So that is causing some unwanted noise.... Good thing is I won't have to pay the $50 to replace the part because I'm ditching the smog pump system... Mechanic also told me something I knew: my exhaust is rusted out. So that was helpful :rolleyes:

As soon as I get back home for Winter break from school (next weekend) I will be purchasing everything I need for my full tune up (Plugs, wires, rotor, cap, fuel filter, oil and oil filter, most likely a radiator flush, fuel injector cleaner). Also going to replace the Idler pulley and serp. belt.

Just a little update. Also, thanks to everyone who has complimented the car/the progress.
 
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EF5.0

EF5.0

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Heading tomorrow to get everything needed for a full tune up and oil change. Plus I'm getting a new idler pulley and a shorter belt (to delete smog pump).

Expecting this to wake the car up a lot. It's been way to long since the last tune up (before we bought the car). Plus apparently whoever did the last full tune up put in the wrong plugs. So Idk what that's all about.

Also used Techron when I filled up my tank with gas last time. So hoping that will help a little as well.
 
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EF5.0

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Finished the Tune-Up today. While I was draining the old oil I noticed a coolant leak... Whoopie...

Everything went smoothly. Fuel pump wasn't fun, got gasoline in the small cuts and scrapes I accumulated while changing the plugs. Idles better. Haven't taken it for a spin yet, worried bout the coolant leak.
 

Goldmember

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The car is coming along really nice. You have a pretty rare set of wheels because those are the 35th anniversary wheels exclusive to the 35th '99 GT. Hang onto them, they match the early SN body well.
 
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EF5.0

EF5.0

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Little Update, been driving it except for the last two days (sleet yuck). Idle RPM is better, Amps still jump, so I believe a new alternator is needed.

Coolant leak has slowed down, but you can still see the moisture path. Planning to buy a new water pump, and Timing cover gaskets (its leaking too) and do them both at once. Also planning to take it into the stealership to get some recall work done (Parking brake mechanism something), and to take it somewhere to get a 4 wheel alignment to fix my crooked steering wheel (when driving straight, the wheel is tilted about 15-20* left).

Also for Christmas I got a short throw from AmericanMuscle, bad thing is two of the holes to attach the handle to the shifter were not threaded correctly, going to have to send it back for a new one. I also received the Modified Turn Signal Relay, to help slow down the sequential tails. The relay works amazing, slow the blinker down enough to see the lights transition.

In addition to these change I also took out the Racing seats I had bought and reinstalled the stockers. Sold the Corbeaus for a $100 profit which I am going to use to pay for the repairs, and to help fund the exhaust.

Another non-repair plan I have is to take the paint off of the wheels and clean/repaint the inlets either black possibly a brighter color for contrast, but I'll probably go with black.
 

KillNThrill24

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Did you not like the Corbeaus man? Those stockers are kinda hit lol. But hey if your strapped on cash I totally understand. My dude just gave me his leathers out of his 01, they look brand new and soooo much nicer than my stock cloth. His lady bought him Sparco's... I think we could all use a lady like that.

Glad to see the revival of your car man, I always saw your sig but never saw this thread. I think it's crazy the tornado left this thing in tact.. I'd say it's a bit of a sign no? Keep it up man
 
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EF5.0

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Yeah I'd take it as a sign. Also both times I've tried to walk away from it I've been drawn back. And I've never been able to let my dad sell it. So it's mine indefinitely :D. I love it, and no matter what it has a better story than any car I could buy. It has a history with me, and I don't think I could ever let it go.

They were nice, but the driver side seat had a tooth missing from the reclining mechanism that wouldnt let it prop up enough for me to sit comfortably and be able to shift without leaning forward to reach for 3rd and 5th. Plus the $300 I got ($100 profit) will be going towards fixing a few things that are slightly needed, mostly the water pump, timing cover gasket, and one of my ABS sensors that is broken therefore making my ABS system useless :/...

I think I may just have my stock seats re-foamed and reupholstered in black with either a white center section, or with white stitching.

I also want to add to my update that I've run one tank of gas with Techron Fuel system cleaner all the way to E to help clean the system, and am running another tank with Berrymans B-12 Complete Fuel System Treatment to go ahead and finish cleaning it out. The only reason I doubled up is because I don't know that it has ever had a fuel system cleaning, and the shop I got a full free diagnostic from said my injectors were dirty. So they shouldn't be any longer.
 

KillNThrill24

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ABS is for wimps! LOL jk but no out of the 4 vehciles I've owned 3 of them didn't have working ABS. My Grand Am didn't, my Camaro did, my Mustang did but I broke the 2 rear sensors when doing my gears ha, and the ZJ doesn't. I kinda prefer it that way. Gives me more control IMO. Also IMO, i'd save the money on the ABS sensor (I know the rears are like $100 a pop) and put it towards the water pump and gaskets. That's just what I would do tho. So you don't have ABS or Trac control.. So what! I don't either :)
 
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EF5.0

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The lights annoying :p

And the water pump/timing gasket will only cost me about 70 in parts. I plan to do it myself. I watched a how-to I found and it only takes a couple of hours. The longest part of it seems to be waiting for the RTV or gasket sealant to cure.

Although I'm not sure the water pump needs changed, I'd rather just have it off once. :p
 

KillNThrill24

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Timing cover is a real PITA I found. O just lettin you know now the power steering pump is gonna give you a problem. Just grab a 10mm ratcheting wrench (provided you have one, a simple 10mm will work, just takes a lot longer) for that one bolt. You have no clue what I'm talking about now I'm sure lol, but when you get to it you'll be like ooo THAT bolt haha. Also a lot of people leave that bolt out. You don't have to, and I found it impossible to get it all the way out so It'll be going back in so I don't have to listen to it. Other than that... Just do the best you can to pay attention to what bolt you pulled from where, take ton's of pix, and you should be good man. I had my timing cover off in no time, with the use of a battery powered impact, and that's as far as I've gotten on my head swap LOL. the harmonic balancer will have to come off, just find yourself a longer bolt, and use a simple 3 tooth puller and go from there. That's what I did since I don't have a pulley puller. I have a grande grande grande 3 tooth lol. Also to crack that bolt you'll want an impact of some sort be it air or battery powered. You'll need that impact for the.... Can't remember the name of the pulley but it's the metal one with the 4 bolts in it. You'll need the impact for that as well.

Just take your time and do get too pissed off and you should be fine LOL. The helping hand of a good reliable buddy or family member always helps. Just make sure they remember where they took that bolt out of! Goodluck! :)
 
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EF5.0

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^ Is that for your 4.6 or for 5.0 :p

I've got a how to bookmarked on my computer so I just need the stuff to do it. I plan to take my time. Good thing is I won't have to do it in the 30 degree weather we are having, I'm going to move my moms convertable and park in the heated garage to do it :p

And thanks for the good luck! I appreciate it. I'm trying to teach myself to do everything myself. I've got a few buddies that are ASE cert. I may call one of them if I run into any problems.
 
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EF5.0

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Well I did a little more research on my idle/charge issue today.

I believe the charge issue is just the alternator beginning to go bad, I looked at it today while the car sat idling and it started to make a "click" noise every so often.

I think the reason I have been having a rough/shaking idle is because of a bad/going bad harmonic balancer. So for $60 I'm just going to replace it when I do my timing cover gasket this weekend. Also will probably be changing the water pump at the same time.


I do have a question for when I do that, what is the best way to drain the coolant, and what should I drain it into?
 
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EF5.0

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Semi-finished my timing cover gasket job today....

Put on a new timing chain/gears. New timing cover gasket w/ rtv to be safe. New water pump. And new Harmonic Balancer. Got everything offwith only one small hitch, previous owner stripped the bolts on the hamonic balancer pulley. So we had to drill them out. After that everything went fairly well. Got everything put back in. Finished getting everything hooked back up, changed the oil to be safe (didn't want to risk having any coolant or anything in it). Then I went to fill up the radiator with new coolant, and the lower radiator hose started leaking. So Going to go get a new one tomorrow and hopefully be done with everything. Fingers crossed.

The good thing about this is it gives the RTV more time to completely cure. Bad thing is just I'm impatient lol.

Pics of the result (before replacing hose):

IMG_20130106_194431_256.jpg


The OLD Harmonic Balancer:
IMG_20130106_194518_831.jpg


The old Timing Set:
IMG_20130106_194542_761.jpg


One of the cracked hoses that had been "fixed" with electrical tape:
IMG_20130106_194613_591.jpg


One of the bolts we had to drill out (using an Easy-out):
IMG_20130106_194740_536.jpg




Good news! My replacement short throw shifter from AM should be in tomorrow. The first one had some holes that wouldn't thread the bolts in correctly. Hoping to get it put in tomorrow evening.
 

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looks good, how old is the upper rad. hose? you may as well replace it too if the same age as the lower.
 
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EF5.0

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It's been a while since I posted last. Not much has been done.

I did get my AM Short Throw Shifter installed. Noticed a little bit of a shoter throw, but it's not significant. Does make it more comfrotable I feel though.

I ordered the Maximum Motorsports Clutch Cable/quadrant kit. Hoping to instal it next time I go home.

Planning to check for vacuum leaks tomorrow since it will be warmer. Also, next time I go home I believe my dad and I will be replacing or bypassing my AC compressor.

Just wanted to give a little update. Nothing huge but I've got plans for once my Tax refund comes in.
 

the5.ohh

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Just read through this and about the tornado you guys had. I can't imagine what you went through. All I gotta say is wow about the progress you've made. The car looks really good dude, keep up the good work I can't wait to see more progress
 

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