Finally a successfull test drive
09-18-2008, 09:20 AM
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Finally a successfull test drive
I purchased my dead OB at the end of July. I finally got to drive yesterday. How I got to this point from dead? New plugs, replaced bad fuel distro, injector clean and new seals, all new vacuum lines, replaced starter ring, pint of chemtool in the fuel, pint of sea foam in the oil, adjusted fuel pressures, and tweeked mixture. So what’s next? I'm pulling the engine.
Test drive results, low oil pressure, good bottom end but falls off hard after about 70mph, shifts very smooth but seems late, brakes seem solid, suspension is silky (wow what a ride), steering and alignment seem fine, still have a TT bearing rattle, puked a large cloud of smoke at 50mph that had me worried but then it went away? I feel the need to do a complete gasket job and check valve seals, TB, oil pump, water pump.........
$$$$....anybody wanna buy a running 79 in fair condition 
Kidding, I am stoked.
Many thanks to all you guys that have helped me so far.
Test drive results, low oil pressure, good bottom end but falls off hard after about 70mph, shifts very smooth but seems late, brakes seem solid, suspension is silky (wow what a ride), steering and alignment seem fine, still have a TT bearing rattle, puked a large cloud of smoke at 50mph that had me worried but then it went away? I feel the need to do a complete gasket job and check valve seals, TB, oil pump, water pump.........
$$$$....anybody wanna buy a running 79 in fair condition Kidding, I am stoked.Many thanks to all you guys that have helped me so far.
Last edited by guidon112; 09-18-2008 at 11:05 AM.
09-18-2008, 09:22 AM
#2
Congrats, it's a labor of love and a great feeling when you get them going.
09-19-2008, 09:17 AM
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Well if I decide to put a 32v in, it will be a Cadillac Northstar, same displacement, same angle, same power, same all Alum, non interference. 
I picked the OB for the same reason I didn't buy an "S" version of the 924, I've seen the ugly results of TB problems, not pretty. As far as power greed goes, I'm more into burning up the twisties than doing 160mph, and I have plenty of bottom end right now.I will max out my susp. before I max out my HP.
I picked the OB for the same reason I didn't buy an "S" version of the 924, I've seen the ugly results of TB problems, not pretty. As far as power greed goes, I'm more into burning up the twisties than doing 160mph, and I have plenty of bottom end right now.I will max out my susp. before I max out my HP.
09-19-2008, 01:17 PM
#5
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Aren't the Cadillacs FWD?
You can always buy a superchager and graft it to you existing engine. Much cheaper and more fun that an engine swap. If your AC doesn't work and want to supercharge it, you can do what I did.
You can always buy a superchager and graft it to you existing engine. Much cheaper and more fun that an engine swap. If your AC doesn't work and want to supercharge it, you can do what I did.
09-19-2008, 01:36 PM
#6
The low oil pressure could be due to a bad signal to the guage or a sticking pressure relief valve. May want to check them WYAIT. While the heads are off, have the valve guides checked.
Dennis
Dennis
09-19-2008, 11:29 PM
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I don’t plan on any swaps, I was just commenting on the prev post. I'm pulling the engine to do R&R. I hate to pull engines before I get them running, pet peeve of mine. I have seen the caddy engine in RWD config. it is surprizingly similar to our 32v engines.
LH2
The Northstar was designed originally for transverse front-wheel drive applications. It was modified substantially in 2004 for longitudinal rear- and all-wheel drive use in the SRX and XLR, as well as receiving variable valve timing. The RWD (LH2) Northstar produces 320 hp (239 kW) and 315 lb·ft (427 N·m). An increased compression ratio of 10.5:1 enables most of the increase in power from the L37 and LD8 Northstars.
Year Model Power Torque
2004– Cadillac SRX 320 hp (239 kW) @ 6400 rpm 315 lb·ft (427 N·m) @ 4400 rpm
2004– Cadillac XLR 320 hp (239 kW) @ 6400 rpm 310 lb·ft (420 N·m) @ 4400 rpm
2004– Cadillac STS 320 hp (239 kW) @ 6400 rpm 315 lb·ft (427 N·m) @ 4400 rpm
FYI
And Dennis I do think I have electrical issues, I drove another short trip today and had 2-3 bar at idle and 5 on throttle up so pressure is ok, I been working the sea foam around and will drain it sometime this weekend, he runs strong, but I dont trust 30yr old belts, gaskets, wires, etc.
LH2
The Northstar was designed originally for transverse front-wheel drive applications. It was modified substantially in 2004 for longitudinal rear- and all-wheel drive use in the SRX and XLR, as well as receiving variable valve timing. The RWD (LH2) Northstar produces 320 hp (239 kW) and 315 lb·ft (427 N·m). An increased compression ratio of 10.5:1 enables most of the increase in power from the L37 and LD8 Northstars.
Year Model Power Torque
2004– Cadillac SRX 320 hp (239 kW) @ 6400 rpm 315 lb·ft (427 N·m) @ 4400 rpm
2004– Cadillac XLR 320 hp (239 kW) @ 6400 rpm 310 lb·ft (420 N·m) @ 4400 rpm
2004– Cadillac STS 320 hp (239 kW) @ 6400 rpm 315 lb·ft (427 N·m) @ 4400 rpm
FYI
And Dennis I do think I have electrical issues, I drove another short trip today and had 2-3 bar at idle and 5 on throttle up so pressure is ok, I been working the sea foam around and will drain it sometime this weekend, he runs strong, but I dont trust 30yr old belts, gaskets, wires, etc.