Search:

If the head is shaved to an extent, then yes, you'll need shorter push rods. This happened when my engine was rebuilt. The valves would not close and shorter push rods had to be made. If you end...

So yeah. Funny story. After replacing the calipers and the pads, I barely drove the Van at all and ended up calling a wrecker to come get it a couple years ago. I miss it, but had to move on. ...

By the air filter, there is a wire you can jump that'll cause the fuel pump to turn on. I was thinking about installing a time-delay relay to that. That way, when you turn the key to the "On"...

I tried 15W-40 and the camshaft bearings started whistling at about 2800 miles. I changed it to 10W-30 Full Synthetic and it's been fine ever since. Just follow the user manual. If your engine is...

I did a full rewire of my headlights about 9 years ago. I did it using 1 relay for low beams and 1 relay for high beams and simply allowing the headlight switch and low/high switch only control the...

When I had my injectors serviced, one of them came back with that tip broken. I installed the injector anyway and it's never been an issue for the next 35,000 miles.

Not a bad idea. Gordan Ramsay would blush if he ever witnessed me trying to replace the stock fuel filter. Those injectors wouldn't be clogging up if it wasn't for that damn ethanol. I remember...

220 degrees isn't too bad, actually, for running it hard. I had my Cobalt running at 246 degrees climbing hills at 80 MPH on our way out of Phoenix to Las Vegas. You can never be too safe though.

The Les Schwab I went to was able to get some of the new tie rod parts from Toyota and get mine aligned. Then they didn't adjust the camber or caster and there was way too much toe, still. I took...

Even that lifter removal tool I got was tricky, but I got it to work.

I got my lifter removal tool from JC Whitney. I think it's this one. http://www.jcwhitney.com/performance-tool-hydraulic-valve-lifter-remover/p2017900.jcwx I didn't have to remove the retainer...

I had an intake lifter go out on my 84 3Y rebuilt. It caused the engine to misfire on that one cylinder. It seemed to clear up on the highway with all cylinders going until I'd have to slow down. ...

I'd just use the German Torque Wrench method. Gudintite.

It's too bad you can't get the Prestone Gen 2 thermostats anymore. I'm still using one in my Van and I never had any issues with my engine overheating while flooring it uphill trying to overtake as...

So far, from what I can tell from driving it, the brakes seem to be working pretty good. I'm just hoping I got all the air out of the system. The brakes have never had a touchy feeling to them...

I did take it for a drive on the highway today. Doesn't seem to feel like I have to push the gas harder to maintain speed anymore. I took it up to 75 and rode the brakes as my turn was coming up to...

I use the Napa Gold (WIX) filters and I use full synthetic oil.

Yeah, I expected some criticism for using vice grips on the brake lines. I did some research and read that people that do this don't have any problems. Eric The Car Guy even pinches the brake line...

Made some more progress today.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc263/kcg795/Van%20Brake%20Job/20130225_134902.jpg

Pinched off the brake line so the fluid doesn't drain out of the system....

The pads I have now will do just fine. Kinda was hoping this was a simple "regrease the slide pins." Got the driver's side caliper changed out, bled, and working. I backed the Van out and pulled...

Damn, that was fast. Ordered my calipers and brake pads yesterday and they're already here today. Anyway, they all look really good. Nice and shiny. I was only able to get semi-metallic brake...

O'Reilly has them for $34.99 each plus core. I'm also gonna invest in a vacuum brake bleeder. I've been needing to bleed the brakes on my Cobalt, but I can't get any help to do it. I might as will...

Yeah, not even gonna bother with rotors. You have to remove the whole damn hub to remove the rotor. If the wheel bearings were going out, then I'd go ahead and replace them and the rotor. But the...

I've been noticing a squeak when I've been driving and it'd get worse when I apply the brakes. Thought maybe the pads were down to the indicator. So I jacked it up and pulled the wheel off and...

The 84s didn't have that silencer (resonator). Just the cat and the muffler. I installed the exhaust system myself. It was fairly easy after cutting the bolts on the old catalytic converter. ...

......and it's already time for a new muffler. My Van's been sitting for a while, again, and finally got a new battery for it and reregistered. When I did drive it, I noticed it was a little louder...

I replaced the bad lifter a long time ago. It runs very well now. I haven't been driving it now because it's not licensed, needs a new battery, and the back door latch is broken.

Is it running like my Van is in this video? A bad lifter can cause a misfire but run totally fine on the highway.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-oUOs_0o2Y

Does it cough or sputter when you try to get going?

Check the air intake hose right at the throttle body. I think you got a hole. Most likely at that first "rib." Easy fix. Use a rubber cement, like GOOP, and wrap it several times with electrical...

Unfortunately, you won't find a used seat belt that hasn't yet been smashed by the door.

I took a short video to show what wires are connected on my 84.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp1121TNlbc

What I did was pull the connector out of the yellow plug and yanked any strands I could out of the back with needle nose pliers so I can salvage it. I unbent the little grips that hold the wire in...

By the battery, you will see a yellow connector plug. The wire connected to the battery terminal to that yellow plug IS the fusible link. That's how it's set up on the 84s. Mine was only held by...

I usually hear that sound when I have my steering cranked all the way, but not quite as loud. Too bad we couldn't convert to Electric Power Steering. My Cobalt has it and I love it. Don't have to...

I will have to put together a step by step tutorial on how to rewire the headlamps. I did post progress pictures and diagrams as I was working on that project. Feel free to look through it.
...

In the long run, it'll be cheaper just to go with HIDs than to go with SilverStars. The SilverStars are way too expensive, don't last long, and use a blue tint to get its 4,000k spectrum. I had...

Also, keep in mind that the wiring for the H4656 sealed beam lamp is different than the wiring for an H4 bulb. The plug is the same, but the wiring is different. So you gotta switch a couple wires...

Two outer lights are dual beam and the two inner lights are high beam. So when you switch them to high beam, the outer lights switch to a high beam pattern while the high beams turn on. I am not...

The cylinder head is still going to warp if it does overheat.

99.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of the headgasket failures are caused by overheating. Don't let your engine overheat and your headgasket will last as long as the engine will. Another...

Went ahead and bought some 14 gauge fusible link from Napa. I assume this will be ok.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc263/kcg795/20120420_175609.jpg

Then I went ahead and soldered it to...

I had that happen when I took my sweet time changing my headgasket.

I usually pull the EFI fuse and try to start it to depressurize the system. Loosening the gas cap can relieve any additional pressure. Either way, a little bit will leak out.

Got a terminal soldered on the end of that wire now and got it connected. So far, everything is working great. Discovered the driver's side high beam burned out, so I replaced it. I turned...

And here's the video.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiNdqqzXZIo

Did some more work today on it. Napa let me have the nuts and screws for nothing because it would cost them more to run my debit card. The mechanic who works there asked "you still have that...

I think 3Y and 4Ys have the same oil capacity. I know on mine, I can get 4 quarts in.

I use the Napa Gold filter and Mobil 1 10W-30 Full Synthetic in my Van. I'm starting to do my own oil changes on my Cobalt now and I also use Mobil 1 5W-30 Full Synthetic and the Napa Gold filter. ...

Here's the noise mine was making. Oh man, listening to my stereo on camera is kinda depressing. Miss that system. Thieves need to go die in a fire. Anyway, if this is the noise your Van is...