Newish member, need a mechanic

[cathammer1]

Hi folks,  I have an '88 Formula that has been out of commission for a while due to a battery fire, a poor repair job at an auto electric shop, and lack of time on my part to deal with it.  I had participated a bit (different ID) in the forums a few years back.

Anyway, I now have the time to get back into it, but need a decent mechanic to sort things out a bit....no heavy repairs, I think, just getting the engine to start & run consistently.  May be still some electrical glitches, or could be injectors, or...?  I'll probably have to tow it to a shop.  I'm in Marietta, just west of the square.

Looking at the forums, it seems that Don Hulse would have been the go-to guy for me, but may not be doing anything now because of health issues (I hope he's doing OK).  Does anyone know if he still would do any light work...even diagnostics, and could put me in touch with him, if so?  If not, any other suggestions or assistance in this area?

Thanks in advance,
Bill

[Fierofool]

Welcome back, Bill.  I'm wracking my brain trying to remember a former Bill with a Formula, but I can only think of one and he had an 85GT. 

Anyway, you're correct about Don.  He recently told me that he was retiring completely as soon as he and his son finish my car that he has at the moment.  If the wiring has been replaced and the car won't run, maybe a couple of us can drop by in a weekend or so and take a look at it.  One of the guys over here near me is pretty good with electrical, so maybe we can set it up for him to come along. 

[cathammer1]

Hi FF,

Thanks for the generous offer; very much appreciated.  It may take me a bit to be ready to accept, though.  I haven't started the car in a while & it's outside (covered) at a house I was renting to my son, so I need to check its current status & maybe move it to an enclosed garage (considering the current/upcoming weather) for it to be ready for "visitors".

We (son & I) did replace the wiring harness after the fire, but all wires weren't an exact match.  That's why I took it to an auto electric place to finish & make sure connections were correct.  They got it to a point (after more than a year of unkept promises) where it would start with starter spray, but not stay running.  They also failed to protect it on their premises & we got it back with a broken passenger window and sail panels and other damage.  We put in a new fuel pump & got it to start, but it ran rough & would die if revs were dropped.

I really like the little car & just can't see myself letting it slide off into the scrap heap, even though I'll have to do more work on it than originally planned because of the extra damage.  If nothing else, I might give it to my oldest granddaughter when it's back in good shape.

Thanks again,
Bill   

[Fierofool]

Sounds like you've resolved most of the issues.  The wiring is the hardest part. 

We have a passenger window that's still in the car.  It's up in Acworth, just off 92 at 75.  You would need to take it out and the proceeds would go to our Warrior Project car.  Right now it seems that the best quarter windows come from Chris Cook  (gtfiero) on Ebay.  Last ones I bought were around $200 a pair shipped. 

What else do you need for the car?  Go to The Market and place an ad. 

[cathammer1]

92 @ 75 is not all that far from me (even closer to my son)...Who should I contact to arrange a look at what parts are available?

My son also corrected me slightly on how car was running when we last tried it: Would start, but only stay running if gas pedal was pumped continuously.  Just keeping revs up didn't do it.  Will try to re-check it soon.

Cheers, Bill