Bill Ball

Regarding the idea of disconnecting the TT -

- Unfasten the exhaust at the headers, O2 tube and allow it to hang [this provides access to the rear bellhousing cover bolts (leave them out on reassembly)]
- Remove the lower bellhousing cover bolts and cover.
- Loosen the Allen head bolt on the TT clamp.
- Unbolt the flexplate from the TT clamp - BUT MARK THEIR RELATIONSHIP FIRST, AS THE CLAMP AND FLEXPLATE ARE A BALANCED UNIT.
- Slide the clamp back from the flexplate and retighten the clamp bolt to hold it in place.

This should allow you to start the engine and isolate the possible torque converter problem from the engine.

OH - ONE MORE THING....there is a ring on the engine side of the flexplate into which fasten the bolts that hold the TT clamp to it. It may "stick" to the flexplate, but remove it so it doesn't come loose at the wrong time.

Bill Ball

Oh, you might snug the exhaust back up before you start the car. If you leave the two rear bellhousing cover bolts out, you won't need to drop the front exhaust again. Some have trimmed the rear bolts so they can still be used and removed without lossening the exhaust. Clearance was too tight on my car, so I just left them out - they are not structural.

jetrainor

While TBF is a slow, quiet process, it shows up in a hurry in its final fatal stages.....the only cure is prevention, by checking flexplate tension fairly regularly....i know i will once i get a motor back in my 87.

Shane

Drain your oil and cut open your filter, and let us know what you find.

FeedNfrenZ

Could I have created a problem when I changed out the crank shaft pulley? Too loose/tight?

m21sniper

Doubtful.

What you have sounds for all the world like a TBF issue.

Bill Ball

I feel like we're all sitting in the waiting room with a relative on the table about to undergo exploratory surgery --- will it be what we fear or are the optomists right?

marton

Oh for gods sake check the flex plate. We all hope not but let us at least eliminate it so we can all go to sleep tonight without nightmares.

Marton

mark kibort

slow #2 and #6 bearing going? the fact that it is doing it slowly, is puzzling! filter should show some stuff. cut it open and see what you find.
otherwise, maybe its TBF?? good luck!

mk

Sharkbody

Sounds like a torque converter issue. They go suddenly and make you think the worst. G

Bill Ball

Jim bailey - 928 International

Fear has nothing to do with the outcome it simply makes it unpleasant until you know.

Garth S

You do not have to drop the exhaust to check/release the flexplate if these two M8 bolts are sawn off. ....

FeedNfrenZ

Update: Dropped the cats. inspected the flexplate, yes in was loaded (5mm approx.maybe less), uloaded the flexplate, shifted the cam backwards by prying the flywheel (3-4mm approx.) I did make marks for measurement just had nothing to measure with. Replaced the cats. with bypass (test purpose only!) Replaced O2 sensor. The car still dies when it gets hot but will start right back up. One problem found but I still have an issue? I noticed that when the 16" front fan comes on at 180 degrees the engine idle dips drastically but recovers. Could another temp. sensor be coming on at a higher temp. and killing the spark or injectors (remember my car is NOT completely reassembled electrically) I monitored the battery voltage during this all, it doesn't suffer but that doesn't mean that the coils, injection unit or computer arent suffering. Thought?
OH.............. thanks guys for helping me diagnose the flexplate issue!

928ntslow

Shane hit the nail on the head and I am VERY surprised it took a page and a half for someone to finally mentioned it! It will be the cheapest "tell tale", as to whether there is internal damage.