What would you replace / upgrade?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 288
Likes: 18
From: Somerset PA
What would you replace / upgrade?
Hello all!
This summer, I bought a powder coating system, and started practicing. I’ve finally gotten good enough that I’m going to start powder coating some parts on the ’89. I’m going to do the intake runners, plenum and the valve covers first, and then maybe move on to some other parts.
While I have the plenum, runners, and valve covers off, I’m wondering what else I should replace / update.
I’m not a mechanic, but with the help from this forum I’ve gotten my hands dirty on a project or two. I was thinking that the valve seals should probably be replaced while I have things apart. The car has 135k miles on it, what else should I replace while I have things apart? I’m mostly concerned with reliability, but extra performance would be great too as long as it doesn’t cost too much!
So, what would you do? Any suggestions?
Thanks!
--- John
This summer, I bought a powder coating system, and started practicing. I’ve finally gotten good enough that I’m going to start powder coating some parts on the ’89. I’m going to do the intake runners, plenum and the valve covers first, and then maybe move on to some other parts.
While I have the plenum, runners, and valve covers off, I’m wondering what else I should replace / update.
I’m not a mechanic, but with the help from this forum I’ve gotten my hands dirty on a project or two. I was thinking that the valve seals should probably be replaced while I have things apart. The car has 135k miles on it, what else should I replace while I have things apart? I’m mostly concerned with reliability, but extra performance would be great too as long as it doesn’t cost too much!
So, what would you do? Any suggestions?
Thanks!
--- John
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 729
Likes: 0
From: Concord North Carolina
Hello all!
This summer, I bought a powder coating system, and started practicing. I’ve finally gotten good enough that I’m going to start powder coating some parts on the ’89. I’m going to do the intake runners, plenum and the valve covers first, and then maybe move on to some other parts.
While I have the plenum, runners, and valve covers off, I’m wondering what else I should replace / update.
I’m not a mechanic, but with the help from this forum I’ve gotten my hands dirty on a project or two. I was thinking that the valve seals should probably be replaced while I have things apart. The car has 135k miles on it, what else should I replace while I have things apart? I’m mostly concerned with reliability, but extra performance would be great too as long as it doesn’t cost too much!
So, what would you do? Any suggestions?
Thanks!
--- John
This summer, I bought a powder coating system, and started practicing. I’ve finally gotten good enough that I’m going to start powder coating some parts on the ’89. I’m going to do the intake runners, plenum and the valve covers first, and then maybe move on to some other parts.
While I have the plenum, runners, and valve covers off, I’m wondering what else I should replace / update.
I’m not a mechanic, but with the help from this forum I’ve gotten my hands dirty on a project or two. I was thinking that the valve seals should probably be replaced while I have things apart. The car has 135k miles on it, what else should I replace while I have things apart? I’m mostly concerned with reliability, but extra performance would be great too as long as it doesn’t cost too much!
So, what would you do? Any suggestions?
Thanks!
--- John
If your inferring to actual "motor/performance parts" since you have the valve covers off....heads, springs, roller rockers....I dont know if thats what your specifying though. Good luck with your project.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Here's a suggestion....run an ad in the local paper that you do powdercoating, undercut the competition on price, do better quality than them and watch the money roll in.
OH....you mean on YOUR car.
Mechanically, with over 100K, replace your timing chain if that hasn't already been done. Yeah, I know it's not a "performance mod", but really it is. If the chain is original, it's sloppy, which is costing you power in the form of lost ignition advance.
I replaced mine at 143K after my harmonic balancer disintegrated and did the macarena for a couple thousand revolutions and took out the timing cover seal in the process. I figured I may as well replace the chain since the cover had to come off anyway. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!
Smoother idle, SOTP power difference particularly in the low RPM range, better vacuum signal, better fuel economy, all around better running engine.
If you're gonna pull the valve covers, not a bad time to replace valve seals and adjust the valves too.
What you decide to do power wise is directly proportionate to the size of your wallet and the amount of free time you have.
Have fun.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 288
Likes: 18
From: Somerset PA
As for the timing chain, great suggestion! I would have never thought of that!
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 288
Likes: 18
From: Somerset PA
Timing chain
How hard of a job is this? I'm not a mechanic, but I have done injectors, and some other small work. Is this something a wannabe mechanic can handle?
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Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 48
From: Lakeport CA
Timing chain, valve springs. water pump while its off to get to the chain.You can do it. rent or buy a damper puller/installer, gear puller for the bottom gear & the rest is hand tools.
You "should" drop the oil pan to release the bottom of the timing cover.
If you haven't bought one, get a Helms FSM (field service manual). It will save you the initial cost many times over.