Is there a common problem area in the ignition on this generation car that would short or not pass power to the HEI?
As Federal emissions requirements became stricter and stricter, various engines became increasingly more difficult to tweak or add a seamingly endless variety of new emissions 'gizmos' to meet the next year's tougher requirements. GM, with the exception of Cadillac, chose to move to a Corporate engine strategy and focus its emissions engineering efforts on an increasingly shared and smaller group of engines from the various Divisions which proved easier to manage and at less cost. Remember, GM was getting deep into "badge engineering".
Got the fried wire issue resolved. Traced it from the HEI all the way back to the switch on the column. Switch was cooked as well. Ran a new 10g wire from the switch(new) to the HEI. Plug was melted, had to cut away that corner to make room for a connector. Have no idea if theres anything else tied in with that power feed other than the diag port under the hood. Next project will be the brakes.
Those 1st Gen Sevilles are unusual. Cadillac tried downsizing and found itself with a run-away success .. and never had an engine at the time which could fit in the modified Nova chassis/shell. The GM diesel 350 is an outlier which was actually came about because of all the difficulties in getting GM's other gas engines to comply with Federal emissions requirements. Many people don't realize that the Feds not only required certificaton of the emissions system for the 1. production/sale of the engines, but, also 2. to gurantee compliance through the initial warranty period of the car ... and then later for 3. the expexted useful life of the of the car .... something like 10 years. I believe that was the engineering impetus behind all the rapid R&D $$$ in the '80's & '90's for ultra-precise fuel control/delivery and other electronic mangement systems which eventually "cracked the nut" to allow emissions systems monitoring and adjustments at the micro second levels and help enjoy the beginnings of the return to horsepower (and emissions compliance).
some caddys had a multiport fuel injection system on an oldsmobile small block...i have one i put on a 403 with a lil hairdryer..i used a 307 factory computer controlled distributor and peeled all of the caddy stuff off..and built an adapter to use an LS throttle body....and use an aftermarket controller...
Thats exactly what I needed and confirms that the pink is run direct to the Batt term on the dist. from the switch. Only difference now is its bypassed the fuse block. Cool
I had a 77 Buick Estate Wagon...it had the 403 olds in it just like my 79 T/A had...I'm almost sure the 350 Olds runs better
Working through the issues one at a time. She now has brakes. New master, hoses, calipers, wheel cylinders, pads , shoes and hard lines in back. Had to break loose every connection and flush out / blow out the lines. Clean mud outta the combo valve. Think I must have flushed nearly 1/2 gal of brake fluid. Poured a qt of Marvel Mystery Oil in the crank case to try and free up the loud lifter but so far thats a no go. Still loud on the L side then goes away and comes back. Probably gonna pull the valve cover off and see if somethings is obviously wrong. Next will be to pull the broke windshield, pull the head liner and recover / reinstall then put the glass back in. Full exhaust after that and then seats / carpet.
Oldsmobile engines are nice. You can pull the intake without messing with the distributor. If you have to replace the lifters.
A little diesel fuel in the crankcase will clean that sludged up motor really nice inside. Way better, and much cheaper than those "tune ups in a can" lol. Keith
Today saw the windshield come out. That joker was glued in there like nothing I ever saw. The glue had squished out and stuck the int moldings to the car as well. I strongly dislike that new stuff they use to install glass now days. I had to use a sawzall to get the top section and some of the L A pillar free. There was a sticker on the glass from 1992 so its been in there a long time. Found a little card between the dash n glass that showed a oil change in 1998 with 32,400 miles on it. When I pulled the headliner out through the big ole hole in the front of the car found a build sheet! Got the channels all cleaned up and ready to set the new glass once the headliner is back in place. Also took the opportunity to really give the dash a good cleaning.
Affirmative. Seats have been in the upholstery shop for over 2 months. About 10 days ago I lit a fire under their ass's and told em if there wasnt any progress on my project I was coming on Monday to pick up and go elsewhere. Monday came and I was busy with work. Stopped Tuesday and my door panels were done and they were working on the seats. Went by today and the front is complete and working on the rear. Will post pics when I get it installed. Still up in the air about the engine. That 350 seems to run well enough and replacing that one loud lifter that keeps bleeding down wouldnt be to big of a deal. However , a 455 under the hood would be soooo much better. After all it is a Buick!
