RedLance

Okay, so do you think I could make an EA82 tank work in an EA81 car? As long as it's a wagon tank and I'm putting it in a wagon?

Greetings, My son is fixing up a 1982 GL 4WD wagon, and is in need of a new/different gas tank. It sat for years and the tank is all rusted, twisted off several sending unit bolts and it even had a mouse nest inside. I can find new tanks online but only for 1985 and newer. Anybody know if they will fit? The Spectra Premium SU1A looks like the right tank except the sender is on top instead of on the rear. Thanks for any insight! I also have numerous parts to trade if someone has a useable tank.

Ok, having LOTS of trouble with my in law's wagon. 1982 Wagon, GL 4wd D/R, with A/C, no PS, with both california emmisions and high altitude modifications, according to the underhood stickers. Hitachi carb. 7-10 years ago, it overheated on the side of the road. About 6 months ago I put all new gaskets in the engine, and then discovered the problem was rusted out "freeze plugs" in the heads. Replaced those too. No fuel reaching the carb. Replaced the fuel pump, and the under hood filter. Drove 15 miles with no trouble, other then a dry rotted tire flying apart. Left for a 60 mile round trip to the next town over, and it won't idle. When I take my foot off the gas, it will either die, or run at somewhere over 2000. 45 miles into the trip, it acts like it's running outta gas, then dies. Tank is full though. Let it sit a few minutes, starts back up, and makes it another mile, then does the same thing. Towed it home. Removed, disassembled cleaned and rebuilt the carb. Reinstalled it and it still won't idle right, but it made the same 60 mile trip no problem. Futzed around with trying to get the idle right tonight. Set the timing by ear, and it ran better. Wife took it this time. Started doing the same running outta gas act for her. I'm not sure I have all of the vacuum hoses connected correctly, and I can't find a diagram that actually looks like this engine. I spent a good 2 hours checking them over today with my Haynes book, and everything looks right. What the heck am I missing? Crud in the gas tank? But what about the idle? Oh, also, when I started it up today, which is after the carb kit, and after one succesful 60 mile trip, it ran like crap for a few minutes, then suddenly cleared up. Crap being like it's missing on one cylinder or something. Then, as if a switch was thrown, it cleared up and purred like it should. I'm gussing some thermo switch tripped. Help please, I'd like to have some hair left when I get done. Thanks! Brian

Well, I don't have pictures, but back in 1993, my 1980 Brat hauled a Ford 360 V8 (650lbs) and it's C6 automatic transmission, plus a set of leaf springs from a 1960's 2 ton grain truck. Went about 15 miles with that. It was squatted pretty well.

Assuming Miles was talking to me, yeah, I think I could make arrangments to pick it up at the Iowa meet. That Friday would be better then that Saturday or Sunday for me...if possible...Monday would work too. Thanks! RedLance

Where is Miles headed from CT? Any chance he could bring that tranny down here to me in Nebraska? Moosens has it up there is CT. How close will Miles be to Nebraska? I might be able to meet him someplace. Thanks!

Damn...and I was going to bring my XT6 and one of my XT Turbos...but I have to do crowd control for a Czech festival that weekend... Oh well, I'll show up next year then. RedLance

I'm along I-80 in Nebraska, if you're coming through here. I can't offer floor space, but I've got tools and yard to spare. RedLance

First off my answer would be no. I'm trying to unconvert all my XTs and my XT6. As in, I want to get them back on air suspension. I have the factory shop manuals that cover the system. Let me know if you want diagrams or anything... If you do decide to convert it to regular springs, could I somehow obtain your 3 front air struts? The ripped one, and the 2 "good" ones? I have other cars to drive while I get my air suspensions sorted out. I have 3 XT's and an XT6, and all are supposed to have air. One XT was converted, and dosen't sit right, the XT6 has air rear, and spring front, and the front is too low. Oh, and the compressor is missing off my red XT. I'd like your compressor too, if you convert it. Thanks! RedLance PS, I'd like that ripped one any which way, if I could. I'm researching some ways to use aftermarket air bags/springs in place of the $400 factory units.

Well, mine is now ticking more then ever. Haven't driven it much lately, as I got a company van to drive. It's still got the Mobil 10-40 and MMO in it. It will stop ticking intermitantly, then it sounds like only one adjuster is ticking, then 2 or more... I've tried several parts houses here, and none of them can get an oil pump for the XT-6. Is it the same as the XT-4? I'm assuming it's not... I might have to hit the dealer...My pressure is still way too low. The highest it ever gets is 45psi (with 10w-40 and MMO), at idle it's somewhere between 0 and 3psi. Will keep ya posted. RedLance

I'd like a set of cast ones...but I could see aluminum potentially having the same problem as the plastic ones. You could cut threads right into the aluminum, but I have striped out my fair share of aluminum threads. Would steel (stainless steel?) inserts work better in the aluminum then they do in the plastic? I'd sure hope so...Could always use Heli coils too, I guess. RedLance

Just throwing in my support too. I'll take a subscription, and add my vote for a reader's rides section. RedLance

Okay, I forgot to take a picture this morning when I got off my 12 hour shift at work, but I did look under my hood tonight, before I came back to work. My O2 sensor has only 1 wire, it goes into a balck, 1 position connector, which mates with another black 1 position connector, which has a yellow wire coming out of it. This wire is all by it's self, until it enters the black plastic loom, between the 2 big harnesses that lead to the engine. The yellow wire goes into the loom, heading twords the firewall. I also noticed that I have 2 connectors, each with about 5 positions, just hanging loose from the same loom. I will write myself a note so I remember to take a picture when I get home. RedLance

Well, since I own an 85, and 86, and an 87.5, all XT Turbos, I feel quilified to answer this. It depends on where the leak is. If it's just a gasket, then NO, you DO NOT have to lift the engine. If the cross over pipe actually has a hole in it, then you might have to. Depending on how talented you are, you might be able to wrestle the pipe out with out lifting the engine. I know it would a whole lot easier to do if you removed the 2 nuts mentioned above, and jacked the engine up a few inches. The problem comes when you try to get the turbo end of the pipe, down between the engine and the front cross memeber...it gets to be a tight squeeze in there, with the big turbo flange on the end of the pipe. Hope that helps. RedLance

Just relating my recent experiance. My "new" 89 XT-6 came equiped with low oil pressure and a mild tick. First oil change I put in Castrol 20w-50, and the tick got worse, and the pressure didn't come up. Night before the MidWest "Mud" Meet, I replaced the oil pump seals. Only got the MM and the big O-ring. I couldn't get the pulley/sprocket off, so I didn't do the shaft seal. Pressure came up just a tad, idle is still about 2psi. Ticking is getting worse. about 5-700 miles ago, I tried the tranny fluid trick. Added a quart to the engine, and ran it for about 10 mins...help a little. I also went back to Mobil 10w-30, ticking was slightly better, oil pressure still low. A few days ago, I poured in a whole quart of MMO, along with a can of engine oil stop leak (seal reconditioner) Ticking is now gone! Even with 2psi idle oil pressure! Of course, we'll have to see if it comes back in 1000 miles when I change oil again and leave out the MMO. I also added about 8oz of MMO to the fuel tank...I've got a slight hesitation problem too... Anyhow, I'm impressed so far. I've only got about 100 miles on the MMO at this point. RedLance