Little Duke Coupe

[88_4mula]

Charlie,

let me know when you want to replace the radio.
I can take care of it.

[Fierofool]

I already have the radio.  I just need to order the adapter harness kit from Crutchfield. 

[Fierofool]

Went up to see Robbie today and picked up an alternator for the Duke.  Might get it installed sometime between Christmas and New Year if weather is good and appointments few.  Anyone with nothing to do is welcome to come help change a valve cover gasket and swap alternators.  You just might be the first to get to drive it. 

Any recommendations on a good brand valve cover gasket that won't leak?

Gerald and Dewey brought down a dual exhaust and a new dash for it a couple of weeks ago.  Pat, I'll need your expertise in installing it onto the Duke.  Once it's running, it will go to Don's for the dash and a tilt column and delay wipers.  Then we should be able to put it on the road to be driven to anyone's place for other work. 

[TopNotch]

Any recommendations on a good brand valve cover gasket that won't leak?

The blue Felpro rubber and steel kind don't leak. I think I have a used one, but I don't know if they can be re-used. They are installed dry, so maybe they can be.

[Fierofool]

If it was just on and off, I'll try it, but if it was on for any time, I probably shouldn't chance it and just get a new one.  Will be taking the alternator down to the parts store maybe Thursday to get it tested before installing it.

[85GT]

Did the battery Charge

[Fierofool]

The charger indicated it had charged with the ground cable detached and a side post adaptor screwed in.  I needed to charge the battery on my 87 so I removed the charger and didn't check the voltage.  Haven't had the time to check the battery with a meter.  Actually, I haven't thought to do it. 

[Fierofool]

The Coupe is now running.  The battery is holding a charge and we have an alternator that is charging.  I have replaced the thermostat and filled it with antifreeze.  The fuel gauge is now operating correctly.  It had a bad connection.  There is no smoke from the exhaust and no valve or rod noise from the engine.  There was some initial smoke from oil that had leaked onto the manifold, but it stopped.  Just for safety, I'll replace the valve cover gasket. 

I drove it around through the subdivision several times and the clutch and transmission are very smooth.  Before it can go on the road, the headlight motors need repaired and the brake calipers need rebuilt.  The headlight motors keep running and it only has partial brakes. 

I'll take care of the headlights.  Anyone want to tackle the brakes? 

[TopNotch]

How bad are the brakes?

[Fierofool]

You can drive the car without any problems.  The brakes aren't locked down.  I think the pistons on some of the wheels are stuck.  It's just hard to get it stopped.  The brake light stays on all the time and the pedal is hard.  Probably just needs the calipers rebuilt.  I think the pads are OK.   

[RobsFieros]

So was the alternator I sent you good or did you have to get another one?

[Fierofool]

I've had the charger on for a couple of days.  Went out today and hooked up the cables and started it.  The battery light stayed on.  I let the car run until the cooling fan came on and I shut it off.  Hooked up the charger again, topped off the coolant and started it up.  The light was out.  I attributed that to the battery charger being connected, but when I removed it, the light stayed out.  I drove it around the subdivision and it never came on.  I did take the one you sent down to have it tested at O'Reilly's and it showed to be good, also.  I'll return it to you. 

[RobsFieros]

Keep it and use it or sell it and put the money in the clubs account.

[TopNotch]

Ever so often, RockAuto has a sale of closeout items. Well, it just so happened that they had listed one fully loaded front left caliper for an 88 Fiero for $26.79 with no core charge. I just snapped it up. Hopefully no one else got their order in ahead of mine, and I'll have it in a few days. That'll take care of one of the Little Duke Coupe's calipers. I guess we'll have to rebuild the others.

[Fierofool]

That's a generous offer, Pat. but I think these can probably be rebuilt.  I'll buy the goodies if someone wants to tackle the rebuild job.  I'll help, too.  I can do the front, but don't want to tackle the back set.