Finally running!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 338
Likes: 67
From: Escondido, CA
Finally running!
Wow, what a journey! I bought my 88 convertible back in September for $3500 with a serious knock. Ended up being a spun rod bearing. I installed an Eagle moving assembly (about $1100. Also bought my neighbors stash of L98 and assorted leftovers from an 88 he tore apart years ago ($300), as well as an Edelbrock intake manifold and runners.
Many false starts, blunders, but I fixed my mistakes and got to today. Turned the key and she started right up! Sounds beautiful!
A question about break-in: it’s up on blocks still, so I let her idle while I set timing. Then once up to temp, ran at 2k for about 10 minutes. I noticed that, according to the dashboard display, oil pressure goes 18-20 psi at about 2k but zero (!) at idle. That normal? Also, any recommendations regarding break-in while on blocks and then once I’m on the road? I’m in The People’s Republic of Kalifornia so I have to get it smogged day one; any concerns with that (ie should I do a certain amount of break-in before taking it over there?)
Many false starts, blunders, but I fixed my mistakes and got to today. Turned the key and she started right up! Sounds beautiful!
A question about break-in: it’s up on blocks still, so I let her idle while I set timing. Then once up to temp, ran at 2k for about 10 minutes. I noticed that, according to the dashboard display, oil pressure goes 18-20 psi at about 2k but zero (!) at idle. That normal? Also, any recommendations regarding break-in while on blocks and then once I’m on the road? I’m in The People’s Republic of Kalifornia so I have to get it smogged day one; any concerns with that (ie should I do a certain amount of break-in before taking it over there?)
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 339
From: Simi Valley CA
Is that a new oil pressure sensor or the original? Those pressure readings would indicate serious problems with the oil delivery. I'd replace it before trouble shooting anything else since those sensors are really inexpensive. You may have a really difficult time smogging it if you don't have CARB stickers for anything not factory.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,125
Likes: 225
From: Ca.
Flat tappet cam-just use a good break in oil, then change it and filter for synthetic once broke in. For smog just go to the carb website and print out the eo numbers for anything that shows. The Edelbrock manifold is good to go for smog. Just so long as you didn't put a cam in that has a noticeable lope its fine-anything they don't see doesn't count on visual inspection. Odds are the oil pressure sender needs replacing-ditto above on that. Kali smog does suck!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 338
Likes: 67
From: Escondido, CA
Is that a new oil pressure sensor or the original? Those pressure readings would indicate serious problems with the oil delivery. I'd replace it before trouble shooting anything else since those sensors are really inexpensive. You may have a really difficult time smogging it if you don't have CARB stickers for anything not factory.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 338
Likes: 67
From: Escondido, CA
Flat tappet cam-just use a good break in oil, then change it and filter for synthetic once broke in. For smog just go to the carb website and print out the eo numbers for anything that shows. The Edelbrock manifold is good to go for smog. Just so long as you didn't put a cam in that has a noticeable lope its fine-anything they don't see doesn't count on visual inspection. Odds are the oil pressure sender needs replacing-ditto above on that. Kali smog does suck!
