driftxsequence

iTrader: (8)

So I located a fairly poor condition s4 (88 GXL) with the intention of making it a parts car for my 87 SE. Well after bringing it home the previous owner hadnt gotten the engine running properly and that was my first goal.

Popped in 2 gallons of fresh gas and a high powered battery and after a good amount of cranking it finally turned over. It did exactly as the PO said, slow RPMs and very low amounts of power. At the time the clutch didn't work and later it turned out to only be air in the lines. Fresh fluid and the clutch was nice and firm! Now it could run under its own power, and it was taken around the block a few times, low power, flooring it to just go up a small hill. Then we decided to take it out to a main road to get more gas for it.

We got out there and floored it and something happened, not sure what (i'm guessing a stuck seal?) and all of a sudden it had as much if not more power than my 87! it was quite exciting knowing the engine was now running good (except it doesn't idle properly).

Now that we knew it was running somewhat, we figured now would be a good time to clean it up and see what was underneath that filth that had built of from all of those years of neglect. So, enough talking and here are some pictures and the run down of what has been done so far.

TL;DR:
- fixed original flat tire- now it can roll!
- engine cranks over and starts! has power but idle wont go under 1500 and it oscillates.
- washed car, still dirty! pulled out orbital and polish and the grime was gone! then a nice coat of wax was applied; look at it shine!!
-wire brushed the rims with a special cleaner to clean up brake dust; looks new again
-attempted to place radio in the car; PO messed that **** UP!
- Cleaned up the trunk; looks like a tornado and a hurricane met there.
- Changed the oil, cleared out the air filter.
- Did a steam clean to the engine. (Before changing the oil!)
- Changed the clutch fluid.


List of things to do:
- Brake fluid
- Radio
- Cut rear carpet for the storage bins
- Fix the idle
- Transmission fluid
- New tires - since they are all rotted.
- Fix some interior pieces, like the center console...
- Replace the driver's door handle lock.
- Rust spots like the hood, and sunroof.
- Lights behind the dash need to be replaced.
- New speakers!! (since there aren't any)


Now for the pictures during this process!

dirty rim


clean rim!


can you tell which side was polished?


girlfriend loved polishing her new toy


this was right after washing the car...


this was from polishing!!


all done for now...




i'll upload the pictures of the trunk once i get them off of my phone.


comments welcome!

Grave2NR

good work man, exciting to have something seemingly broken work all of the sudden lol

driftxsequence

iTrader: (8)

Thanks! as soon as it happened I had the biggest smile on my fast!!

driftxsequence

iTrader: (8)

here are some pictures of the trunk progress that was made. this was at 4 in the morning due to insomnia.

there was a spare right in the middle there



all of the crap is out!!!


carpet is in, and ready to be cut


speaking of which, what is the best way to cut the carpet for this situation?

driftxsequence

iTrader: (8)

anyone else got any ideas?

Rye_Takahasi

my .02 would be .. measure the bins.. not the lids .. but measure and mark the carpet with a marker.. and take a razor blade to it. go slow or you might mess up.. thats what i would do. or make like.. cardboard templates.

Spirit-RE

iTrader: (25)

Great progress!

So I take it its not a parts car anymore? What's your plans with it?

driftxsequence

iTrader: (8)

the cardboard is a really good idea. i think i'll go with that.

it looks like it wont be a parts car anymore, and im going to try and flip it and make money on it.
going to keep working on cleaning it up and fix the idle issue it has and then sell it. im 19 and cant afford having two running cars (as beautiful as it is in my parents driveway) :P

i was originally going to pull the 5 lug set off, and other things but it seems that it wouldnt be worth it. so i'll deal with the 14 inch rims on my current car until i can find some decent 4 lug 17 inch rims


also, in its current condition, what do you guys thing its worth? i payed 1200 for the car. i think if i could fix a few of the major issues i could get around 2 or more for it, yes no?

GordiniRX7

iTrader: (10)

Out of curiosity, what kind of orbital and polish did you use?

JCurry

iTrader: (6)

tail lights are worth a bit as is....looks good man!

driftxsequence

iTrader: (8)

black and decker 6 inch random orbit with griots garage machine polish 4 followed up by their best of show wax

Rye_Takahasi

was that replacement carpet? or did you clean it? if you cleaned it.. what'd you use?