Hi guys, I just wanted to post that I am friggen Stoked!! Its been 18 years since I scrapped my 83 GSL, and I finally found a replacement last weekend. This one is a 85, and is not suffering from cancer of the *** end like my 83 died from. It only took me 7 months of searching to find this worthy replacement. Just a couple of days ago I got it started after working on it for a couple of hours (and beers). I found this 85 downtown Toronto, sitting under a tree. It had been in this guys driveway under the tree for 5 years. When I got it home I had to remove 60 pounds of leaves, pine needles, sticks etc etc from every gap and seam possible. I am currently un-seizing solenoids and other parts on the engine. Calipers/brakes are next. If all goes well, she should be driveable this summer.
P.s does anyone know if there are drain holes under the windshield where the wiper motor is?
Ciao4now...

 

Plan on removing and cleaning the gas tank. After that long its sure to have varnish and general gunk in it.

There are small drain holes at the base of the windshield. They open into the cowl area. The water drains out the side of the cowl area behind the fenders unless your car has custom (rust) drain holes. If you have these special holes, water drains into your car and onto your feet from under the dash.

 

thanks for the gas tank advice. In the cowl area, how can I see these drain holes? Should I remove the fenders? I have unclogged the windshield, sunroof and hatch drains....

 

If you remove the cowl cover you might be able to see the side drain holes with a flashlight. If you remove the wipers and linkage you can look in the hole left by the wiper arm. A digital camera can help see places where your head can't fit. The driver's left) side fender drain is just visible in the lower right corner of the 1st picture. The Passenger (right) side hole is behind the square metal intake for the HVAC system. I hope you don't find anything like I did.

 

You have any pictures?

 

Fuel tank:
Easy to remove - just remember to take detailed NOTES /pics of where the 4-5 hoses attach!!!!! Tank can be dropped (2 straps hold it) with these still attached (except FILLER hose, that has to be disconnected first)
Take removed tank to a reputable radiator shop and get them to chemical dunk it for you to remove decades of munge and rust, then
Recommend these products for cleaning and resealing your fuel tank.
http://www.por15.com/products.asp?dept=12

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

we'll be looking forward to your progress. if you can post some pics of your new 7 and share you experiences with the restoration! do you know any histoy on the car?

 

Thanks alot guys for the advice.
As far as the history is; I am very lucky to find this 85. I am the only the third owner! The first guy was a detailer and owned it for 3 years. The second owner was a lady that garage kept the car every winter. She had drove the car the last 2 winters before she gave up on the car in 2003. (for whatever reason) From 2003, untill a month ago, the poor 7 sat under trees off to the side of the driveway of her mothers house. Thats how I found it, covered in 5 years of tree ****. I'll post some pics.

 

Get some POR15 & or Hammerite for the rusting surfaces.

 

I tried to resize it, it maybe too small...

 

Hmmm

 

Stupid 250kb..

 

Not 'just' an 85... but an 85 GSL-SE. Congrats!

 

Black with grey interior? My favorite. I'd like to see a few more pictures after you thaw it out.

Check and clean the 2 drain holes at the base of the hatch, the 4 in the sun roof area and the 3 in the bottom of the doors.

Check for rust:
metal lip under the rubber hatch seal
Under storage bins

 

Thanks 74RX4; I knew to clean those drain holes from my '83 that I had when I was 18. They are already cleaned. I did not know about drain holes in the bottom of the doors, where are they? It took me a while to clean the 10 pounds of leaves and **** from under the cowl, and I cant tell where, and if it is draining. I also unclogged the drain passages at the base of the windshield, and all the roof easetrofs. The metal lip under the hatch seal looks like new, under the storage bins is a 90/100. (Small area of surface rust-but no holes)

 

Looks burgandy to me.

 

Bottom edge of the doors have small holes on the inside. If you run water into the cowl, keeping the rest of the car dry, it should drain out from under the fender just in front of the door. If your hatch lip is in that good of shape, the inside of the cowl is probably in great shape also. Sounds like you found a good deal.

Burgandy interior? I couldn't tell for all the snow and ice I hate that color interior. Both of my 7s are that color too. Its an 80's thing I guess.

The gas tank has a 14mm drain plug. You can get some idea of the gunk inside by draining it. If nasty gooey gunge comes out you'll want to remove and clean it. You can also remove the rear left wheel and the plastic cover behind it. That will give you access to the plate on top of the tank that holds the fuel level sending unit. With a short phillips and a right angle phillips you can remove the 8? screws that hold the plate on. Make sure the tank is less than 1/2 full or gas will pour out. Pay attention to the direction the plug is pointed before removal. If you put it back facing any but the correct direction the fuel gauge will not work correctly. With the plate and sender removed you will have a 4" hole to see into the tank.