So, I'm new to the boards here, and I'm going to look at an 88 with a 305..the lady said it was running when she parked it a year ago when she left with her step-dad.. she came back and said it cranks but just won't start..I don't believe it was treated before she left.

I'm thinking bad gas, but just want a confirmation and/or other things to look at while I'm there.

Thanks!
Jake

 

bad gas was my first assumption, also you should listen for the fuel pump to prime, and the fuel filter, to see if maby its just not getting any fuel

 

fuel filter..fuel pump..fuel pump relay


maybe

 

Alrighty, that's easy enough. I don't believe the 3rd gens have a drain plug for fuel, do they? What's the easiest/quickest way to drain all the old gas out, without buying a 12v pump or a hose to stick in there?

Also, since it's not on KBB, is $1k a fair price if it runs, or should I try to talk her down a bit?

 

i dont believe mine has a drain plug but the gas tank was never really high on my need to know info list so i could be wrong. as far as price what is it (berlinetta, rs, iroc-z) and how many miles plus body condition. but if it runs with no rust and halfway dec on mileage, its 1k for a fairly fun summer toy if nothing else, and its something that you can make ALOT of fun pretty easy.

 

I believe an RS, (does RS have the RS text in front if the doors on the lower trim? I just saw a small, cell phone pic on craigslist and she doesn't know much about it. It's gonna be my DD/Project/Restoration car and I plan on swapping a 350 with either the TR350 (I believe this is the turbo 350 tranny?) or a 700r4. Its auto atm. :/ Unsure on mileage, its in AZ so I'm assuming no rust since its so freaking dry..paint and interior are faded but again, that darn AZ sun.

 

yea if thats there its an RS. if your looking for a resto car it looks like its a good candidate, as long as you dont mind shelling out for paint and interior later. if its the stock tranny it should already have a 700r4 and if you plan to DD the car i would keep the 700r4 because its got overdrive and th350 does not. you can build the 700r4 to handle a good amount of power and with a shift kit you still get good shifts. and really if your swapping the motor and just touch up the trans the only affect mileage really has is on your suspension and rear end, and i suppose body condition if its roughed up some.

 

Ah okay. thanks for the info. its greatly appreciated! Did the RS come with both the V6 and the 8? I've read conflicting info. Some say only the 6, some say both. :/

 

pretty sure it was only a v6. so the motor isnt stock. by the way does the add mention what kind of injection it is or is it carbed.

 

It didn't say. just said she needed to sell it and it needs a batt. since she's clueless I'm gonna say that it only has the V6 in it :inserttearshere: .

I'll post up Friday with my findings.

Thanks for all the help.

 

You could get the 305 in anything. Just count the plugs. Check for fuel pressure at the schrader valve.

 

What's the easiest way to check pressure at the schrader? I'm not real knowledgeable on cars yet, so I'll be taking a couple mega gearheads with me to scope it out.

 

It looks like tire valve so with the key on remove the cap and press on the valve like you were letting air out of a tire. If you get a squirt you have fuel pressure. So your next step would be to check for fire by pulling a spark plug wire off and grounding it while the engine is cranking to check for spark.

 

Ah okay. Thank you much.

 

URVRE welcome.

 

I have bought 2 of these cars (neither one running) and i can tell you you are probably looking at having to go inside the tank and at least replace the piece of rubber hose connecting the pump to the fuel line. This was the problem on both of the ones i got. While youre in there, go ahead and replace the fuel pump, cause dropping that tank aint something you want to do too often.......

 

Ugh. Are these tanks fairly easy to drop? There really is no trunk access to the tank?

 

The correct way to do it is to drop the rear suspension and exhaust. The quick (wrong) way to do it is to cut a hole in the sheetmetal where the gas tank is. There are multiple posts on here about both ways.

 

Sounds like a PITA. It shouldn't be rusted as it's here in southern AZ so depending on how full it is, I'll just unhook a fuel line and let the pump run it dry then top it up with good fuel.

Thanks.

 

if it has the 305 TBI engine(will have a big round
air cleaner lid),often the TBI injectors will stick closed
and need bumped loose...If it is TBI,could just take
the air cleaner lid off,pour a little gas down the throttle
body and crank-if it tries to run you have stuck injectors
or no fuel pressure.Usually year old gas is still good
enough to run on if not water contaminated.

 

I'm pretty sure the car is the 2.8L V6 MFI (Multiport fuel injection?). I'll keep that in mind.. common problems with these for no fuel pressure is a bad fuel pump fuse?