Gator_86_951

OK, got my car all assembled and wanted to confirm that it was making oil pressure just by cranking. I can't even remember if the gauge will show such limited pressure. How should the oil pressure behave when simply cranking the car? I will do some searching, but since I want to try and start the car in the AM, thought I would ask too.

Separately, I remember that if you wire it backwards it will always show high pressure. My tach bounces, so I think I am go for launch when I wire everything up tomorrow AM.

Gator_86_951

OK, it seems the correct behavior is when the ignition key is on, the gauge is supposed to read 0 then register oil pressure from there. I think I have the wires backwards or grounded, so I will check that tomorrow AM.

Tom M'Guinn

Right, it shows zero and then climbs as the pressure builds. When I fired mine up for the first time, I pulled the plugs when I first cranked it, and the pressure built fairly quickly.

Gator_86_951

Thanks so much Tom. You pulled the plugs because you didn't want the engine to build compression without fuel or something? I have the fuel fuse pulled and the injectors are not connected to the harness (and there is no fuel in the tank as I drained it). I guess I don't see why that would matter, but would love to be educated. I think the wires are backwards, but if I can't get it to work, I will have to assume it builds oil pressure and just go for starting the engine given my need to get it started. Since the oil pump is mechcanical and I remember the pressure being fine, I think that is a safe bet.

Tom M'Guinn

The motor spins very fast without the plugs installed, which helps the oil pressure build faster. Make sure the sender wires aren't pinched and shorted somewhere -- that can peg the gauge too. I'd want to see pressure on the gauge before firing it up...

Gator_86_951

Fair point. I have some crazy custom wiring situation going on with the sender that I simply don't remember.

I will try that, but if the mechanical oil pump is my problem **** it as I don't have time to fiddle with it as it is going to storage. I'll check the wires and see where I get tomorrow. Thanks again for the advice. With any luck this thing runs, I put new belts on there, and I drive it around a bit. Worst case scenario, it goes to storage and I deal with it when I get back from Japan and buy a house in maryland.

Gator_86_951

The saga continues. Now I need a new starter motor. Thinking to get a remanufactured unit from zims.

Fara

If you're looking for a starter, it's worth considering this:

http://garage.ideola.com/prod-HiTorque.html
(Rennlist sponsor)

Gator_86_951

I saw that. Is it a direct bolt in? I saw some business in an earlier post about some slot for the speed and reference sensors or something.

Tom M'Guinn

Sorry about that. I think you can get rebuilds at your local autoparts store if you want. Maybe not the best quality though... Did you get the oil guage sorted?

Fara

It's almost a direct bolt in.
You may need to adjust the mounting to the bracket, but it's easy to do.

The other change is swapping a the ring for the starter "activator" to a different plug. Again, very easy to do (just crimp on a new end).

Gator_86_951

Tom, gauge seems sorted. I am wanting to do it right, so a known good vendor it is. Also, I need to schedule with my buddy because I don't go under the car by myself these days.

Gator_86_951

Hmmm, I honestly don't have the energy for anything other than direct. Ima get the reman unit. Thanks for the heads up. Also, it is unclear how they ship and I would like to do it some day this week.

Gator_86_951

Quick update for bros that GAF. I used a bosch reman from zims. Unit was very nice, and worked just fine when I turned it over to check oil pressure. Was able to get the car started and idled for a bit, but I shut it off because I want to install my new oil sender unit first. Will see if I can get the car to idle again tomorrow. Engine went up to just a little over 1k and sounded exactly as I expected.