mr_ouija

Hello all, I have quite a dilemma on my hands, as I really love the car but not sure which way to go w/ it.

Basically this is where I am now:

1984 GSL-SE w/ 13b converted to Carb, it's a Holley vaccuum secondary 550 IIRC, and not running for > 6 months. It also has a Racing Beat header, no cat, and a custom catback. OMP has been removed, and it's running premix.
The wiring harness is hacked up pretty good, but I'm pretty sure all the lights work as intended. I'm a total tool when it comes to Carbs, so if possible, I'd like to go back to EFI as well.

As far as Original GSL-SE parts, I'm missing damned near all of them. As the conversion was done by the previous owner.

Also, the motor is old, I believe 180k+ but don't quote me on that.

Anyway, here are the options I'm considering...

Remove and (if possible) rebuild the current 13b. I've torn down another motor that I was considering rebuilding to swapp in. It was an 89 n/a FC motor, but nearly the ENTIRE thing was bad, chunks missing from side plates that keep water seals in, bad rotor bearings and stuck seals, along w/ pinched apex seal grooves, bluing on the sideplates and some blue discoloration on E-Shaft as well as rotor housings that looked like crap. I never got to mic out any parts as the VISUAL check went so badly.

Find a running FC motor/tranny to swap in, as I already have the GSL-SE frontcover/oil-pan which I need for the swap IIRC. I'm kinda leery here as the last FC swap I was going to do I was burned on pretty bad. Also would consider a turbo II swap, but trying to conserve cash, as I also own an FD that is quite the Financial Drain.

Last option, which I don't think I would like to do, but considered...
Used 302/AOD with a grannysspeedshop.com mounting kit. I know enough mustang nuts to make this work eventually, but prefer to retain the rotary.

So, to sum it up, which route would you take to bring this GSL-SE back to life w/o spending a large chunk of change?

capt murph

Working with what you have would be the least expensive path. Take what you have now and get her running/ up to speed, and then later, if required, plan a rebuild of the existing 13B. You said the engine was old, but that does not mean it needs help neccessarily. More clues there might be good to know.

REVHED

I find the thread title ironic coming from mr ouija.

mr_ouija

Well, I've had it running, but it wouldn't stay running for any period of time. It would run GREAT for a day, then the next day wouldn't run at all. Cold starting was insanely difficult at times.

When it started acting up, I replaced the fuel filter, spark plugs, plug wires, and coils, also checked the cap and rotor. Last I looked, it was getting spark and compression, but being a tool when it comes to carbs, the carb looks to be the culprit to me. It WAS dumping fuel like crazy and flooding the motor, like the needle and seat wasn't sealing. The carb was a 4160 from Holley IIRC, and I bought a holley carb book to try and solve the problem through a rebuild, but I would guess I only made it worse.

Perhaps that sheds a little more light on the situation? If there is something in specific that would assist in helping me solve the problem, let me know and I'll see what I can dig up or do to find the answer.


Revhed: For some reason, I thought someone would say that. :P