Hello Everyone,

I took the plunge and am running into a few problems, but I am very happy with my purchase. I payed $2300 and would have felt better paying only $2000 but that is my fault for not paying attention to obvious problems. I had hoped for a $4000 total budget, but I am bumping this up to $5000 in hopes that I can get her all tightned up and reliable for that amount.

Anyways, here is a list of problems that have come up:


New Wheel cylinders---$26 x 2---Bought and Installed
New drums and pads---$48---Bought and Installed
New hardware kit---$20---Bought and Installed
Brake fluid---$7---Bought
New Radiator and 1 Gal. of Anti-Freeze---$132---Bought and Installed
Repair Speedometer and Tach---
Repair Drivers side door Hinges---
Repair or Replace Front and Rear Seats---
Replace Carpet---
Replace Dash Pad---
Repair Turn signal switch---
Clean up convertible top frame---
Repair or Replace Sun visors---
Replace Stock Air Cleaner with Open Air Element---
Gut the Converter---
Install Stereo System---
Replace Windshield Washer Reservoir Cap---
Replace Automatic Belt Tensioner---$37-$67---
Replace Rear Hatch Struts---
Repair Rattling Drivers Door---
Secure Rear Spoiler Better---
Repair Cruise Control---
Repair Air Bag Steering Wheel---


The latest problem that I have run into is after the radiator install the single electric fan was coming on and the next day it does not come on at all and I had about half a gallon of coolant on come out of the water pump hole, when it got hot. it never reached the red, but got pretty hot. So, after using the feature I decided that I should go ahead and replace the fan with an aftermarket setup. I am just wondering if there is any way to install an aftermarket with its on thermostat and completely by pass the original wiring without changing the way the car runs.

Anyways, Looking forward to lots of post here, because its obvious that I am going to need a lot of help.

 

You have only started, pull the interior, put her on a lift, and I bet your expenses almost triple? After reading your post 3 times I hope you have a ton of dough. Vert parts are not easy to find and you have a whopper of a list and hopefully a big wallet???

 

Exactly. It sounds like you have a decent starting point, but you have some items in that list that will not be cheap if you do them right.

 

Well, you either have to replace your current thermostat/fan-switch, or install a relay that will turn the fan on w/ the accesories. If your not doing a monster setup, i'd stick with the stock fan switch/relay, it's not that hard to change out the fan-switch.

It's on the passenger side, basicly by the starter. And i can't remember the size wrench you need off the top of my head, but it's a biggen.

Good luck! and Welcome!!

 

Iron Duke--not helping with the optimism. But, I definitely see the truth in what your saying.

DJCobol--I too think it is a decent starting point, because there has been so much done to the car already.

I am curious as too which items seem like the high dollar items? The tranny is my biggest concern, mainly because I would not be able to do that myself. Although, it isn't real bad, its just that every now and then it seems like it doesn't up shift in a timely manner. No clunking or anything like that.

serpentineocean--Well, I went ahead and replaced the Fan Switch, which did not fix the problem. I am assuming that the relay would be next on the list of replacement parts. By the way I started a thread on this in the cooling section, so as not to muck up the forum design.

Thanks for info and the hard to swallow TRUTH,

 

Man, this car must have been rode hard and put up wet to be in that kind of condition! Good luck with all your repairs!

 

Not really, for a $2300 convertible that isn't a bad list. How many of our cars have cracked dash pads, torn driver's seats, sagging doors, a malfunctioning tach, etc, etc?

To me it sounds like his is suffering all the normal thirdgen signs of age and he's fixing them the right way.

 

Sharkfan,
When you get a total for the repairs, why don't you post that number?
I think it will reenforce the old saying around here 'When buying a
convertible, buy the best one you can afford!'.

(I understand when you only have an inital $2k to spend, you only have $2k to spend!)

 

gcgarner-- I wouldn't say it was actually rode hard and put away wet, I have definitely owned worse. At least I don't have to deal with any rust.


DakotaSLT-- Thanks for the encouragement, I shouldn't have any problem with repairing the interior stuff. I am just going to take one problem at a time. So far it has been very easy to work on, which is a welcome difference to my last car (86' Porsche 928) Loved the car, but, theres something to be said for being able to run down to Advance auto or NAPA and pick up the part need for most repairs and the cost of the parts costing about 75% less for the same parts.

plndtx-- I don't think I will have a total right away, because that might be just a little too discouraging. Unfortunately, this was the best I could afford and still leave me repair money.

I finally got some pics of it today.






Thanks all

 

Dave,

That car is hawt!

Great color. Great potential to serve you well.

Welcome to the funny farm! (and go Dawgs!)

One more thing... you better put that kid seat in the back or your wife will kick you butt. Mine did:

 

New Wheel cylinders---$26 x 2---Bought and Installed
New drums and pads---$48---Bought and Installed
New hardware kit---$20---Bought and Installed
Brake fluid---$7---Bought
New Radiator and 1 Gal. of Anti-Freeze---$132---Bought and Installed
Repair Speedometer and Tach---
Repair Drivers side door Hinges---
Repair or Replace Front and Rear Seats---
Replace Carpet---
Replace Dash Pad---
Repair Turn signal switch---
Clean up convertible top frame---
Repair or Replace Sun visors---
Replace Stock Air Cleaner with Open Air Element---
Gut the Converter---
Install Stereo System---
Diagnose Front end Slop---
Replace Windshield Washer Reservoir Cap---
Replace Automatic Belt Tensioner---$37-$67---
Replace Rear Hatch Struts---
Repair Rattling Drivers Door---
Secure Rear Spoiler Better---
Repair Cruise Control---
Repair Air Bag Steering Wheel---
Diagnose Shifting problem---
Diagnose Sloppy Steering---
Diagnose Front End Shimmy---


as i look at this list it is pretty big but what is really only convertible parts here as i see only a few items that could be the not so common stuff like the Convetible top frame and fixing the spoiler and such...most everything else seems to be something you could get out of a parts car....i think you got a great deal...keep rockin away at that list...i know i am on my vert as she is almost done now...I would look under the carpet though and see if you find rust holes....these cars are prone to rust there...i know mine has some not much but im gonna fix it this winter and por-15 it...

 

Cadillac--Thanks for the compliment--I think it definately has potential. Yea, the car seat thing- Uh-Um-Yea- I had to set that up there to get-Uh-something out of the backseat-Uh-Yea-Thats it.
By the way that little cutie looks about the same age as my girl, she will be 5 soon.

GMZombie--Your right about that fact that there aren't too many problems that are directly convertible related. As far as the frame goes there is just a little bit of oxidation along the front edge that needs to sanded off and painted over.

Thanks again for all the encouragement,

 

lmao... I'm so copying the picture of the booster seat in the passenger. lol.. I keep trying to convince my Ex to let me take my son out, but she's paranoid.. lol.

 

i have an 89 RS T-tops, 305 TBI. i paid 2200 just about what you paid. when i bought my car i had to replace drivers seats( my stepdad had a pair of seats out of his 84 z28, the 84 is getting a really nice 88 iroc interior) steering wheel, dash pad, front brakes and rotors, center link, idler ARM, dash pad, ect ect ect. my car still needs some work, need T-top headliner, carpet, repaint entire car eventually, ect. but you know its a very clean car no major rust (car is from N. carolina)and i just coated all of the areas that had very very minor surface rust underside of car where stones and dirt hit it with POR-15 its a great product i highly recommend it. it'll coat those areas with something that seals it off from rain. your car is worth every penny as long as its not rusted bad. keep this in mind, i have the camaro white book and it states that only 3,245 of your car where ever made. that makes it "somewhat rare" so it may be a collector car someday. in this climate 3rd gen are becoming rarer and rarer every year. i love having the only car like it around me.i will drive my car everyday april-early october and rebuild it as needed. if it needs an engine or a trans, i do it without question. i would love to have a new drivetrain that'll last 150K. keep that car and restore it as money allows, you didnt get a bad deal and once you work the bugs out it's really a great running car one of the best ive ever driven, and its better on gas than some 6 cylinders i have owned. next year in going to do a full exuast, i want tube header, flowmaster, high flow car 3" pipes. i want more power but i dont want to sacrifice too much millagei have an 89 RS T-tops, 305 TBI. i paid 2200 just about what you paid. when i bought my car i had to replace drivers seats( my stepdad had a pair of seats out of his 84 z28, the 84 is getting a really nice 88 iroc interior) steering wheel, dash pad, front brakes and rotors, center link, idler ARM, dash pad, ect ect ect. my car still needs some work, need T-top headliner, carpet, repaint entire car eventually, ect. but you know its a very clean car no major rust (car is from N. carolina)and i just coated all of the areas that had very very minor surface rust underside of car where stones and dirt hit it with POR-15 its a great product i highly recommend it. it'll coat those areas with something that seals it off from rain. your car is worth every penny as long as its not rusted bad. keep this in mind, i have the camaro white book and it states that only 3,245 of your car where ever made. that makes it "somewhat rare" so it may be a collector car someday. in this climate 3rd gen are becoming rarer and rarer every year. i love having the only car like it around me.i will drive my car everyday april-early october and rebuild it as needed. if it needs an engine or a trans, i do it without question. i would love to have a new drivetrain that'll last 150K. keep that car and restore it as money allows, you didnt get a bad deal and once you work the bugs out it's really a great running car one of the best ive ever driven, and its better on gas than some 6 cylinders i have owned. next year in going to do a full exuast, i want tube header, flowmaster, high flow car 3" pipes. i want more power but i dont want to sacrifice too much millage

 

 

Sharkfan, I own a 1992 RS Convertible and have the same problem with my cooling fan not coming on all the time. My local mechanic just jumped it out and the fan runs all the time. This is really not a big deal as I live in Orlando and almost always have the A/C running which runs the cooling fan anyway.