Ordered and received a new radiator from Radiators.com. Also, the Custom Autosound radio arrived. I hope it looks better in the car than it does right out of the box. I hope it sounds better than it looks!

[69308] During the past week, idle has gotten rougher and drivability issues have arisen. I an effort to eliminate the problems, I changed PCV valve, breather filter, air filter [Delco A212CW], the remainder of the vacuum hoses. I also found the carb was a bit loose and probably leaking vacuum, and the EGR valve I though I had disabled by putting a plug in the line, had started working again since the plug was leaking! I just disconnected the line entirely but the were still issues. So I pulled the EGR valve and fabbed a new gasket with paper and Hi-Temp RTV, and now it looks like the issues are gone! Celebrated by driving her over to Cooper's and getting a hood bumper for the left corner.

The FM modulation thing is crap. I've ordered a different kind of modulator, but I also realize that this factory stereo is just not going to do it. I ordered a USA-2 from Custom Autosound through the San Diego outfit "Garden of Speedin'". 

Got a different device for the XM (direct from Delphi) which connects between the antenna and radio. Works way better than that stupid Sure Connect thing. This will be great until my new radio arrives and can be installed.

Put Sarah Lee's Tires on Helen, installed the XM kit.

Spark Plugs

Replaced the spark plugs with Rapidfire #2's and replaced the plug wires with a tailored set from Summit. The old plugs looked very good and can't have been too old. They really seem to have kept the car up very well. Adjusted the choke to be richer.

[68960] Oil Change. Shell 10-40 plus STP Red, K&N filter HP-2003. Bought a set of rear body fillers for the bumper on eBay. Proceeded to attach the last connector so the trunk pop now works, then cleaned up the loose wires laying about, etc. I put new Bosch wipers on and added three cans of R-134a+ to the A/C System. It is blowing cold, but we'll see how fast it leaks out. Next I changed the oil. Then I changed the vacuum lines coming off the carb. The line that supplied timed vacuum to the distributor was going through a temperature control valve. I bypassed that to go directly to the distributor. I also inserted a plug in the line going to the EGR valve. I'll have to remember to change those two things back for smog testing. I was tempted to bump up the timing a bit but decided on a test drive first. She seems a lot smoother and peppier so I left the timing alone for now. Will be interesting to see how she starts up in the morning. At the end of the day, I applied a heavy coat of Vinylex to the roof, and a quick spray of wax on the paint, cleaned the windows and applied Meguires Foamy dash and trim dressing to the interior.

Left rear power lock actuator went in, had to mount it slightly further forward than I did the right side. Then the front left door... the fronts are completely different and the actuators have to mount vertically toward the bottom of the door with the action being up and down, while the rears were mounted horizontally at the top of the door. Then the right front door caused me a lot of trouble getting the linkage lined up and connected. Not enough openings in the sheet metal to get in there and work. Had a lot of trouble getting the factory linkage in the two fronts loosened up and limber enough for the actuators to work. No wonder GM used those huge (and LOUD) solenoids from the factory. With all the lock actuators working right, I put in the keyless module next. I got it working with the door locks easily but had trouble with the connector I used to tap into the parking lights. Eventually started over with a fresh tap and now the light flash function is working too. I ran short of one connector so I was unable to finish the trunk pop. Everything else is done.

First of the power door lock actuators is in, on the right rear door. The wire is run down the pillar and under the seat.

Brakes

New front brake pads went on before I left for work this morning. The dome and trunk lights, clock, as well as trunk pop and key buzzer/speed buzzer were all powered by a missing 20a fuse, which Gene had told me about, but which I had forgotten. Now all of that works. But the instrument cluster lights are not working, though other dash lights like the climate control, clock and radio dial lights do work. Maybe there are some bad contacts on a panel connector. Might have to pull the cluster to see. Electric lock/keyless kit shipped today. Picked up oil and filter to do her first oil change since 2003!

ARRIVAL!!!

2008-03-10 @ 12:30 PM. She's beautiful! Got her smogged, got her registration finished, got plates put on. The door striker bushings were all gone so first order of business was to get those quickly taken care of. Put a locking gas cap on right away too. Front brakes are squeaking like mad, so I picked up a set of brake pads to slap on. Later I'll do a proper brake job, wheel bearings, etc. Meanwhile, I ordered an electric lock/keyless kit.  

At The Terminal!

Got a call from Juan and we set up delivery for tomorrow between 9 AM and 11 AM. He said it's likely to be around 10 AM. The DAS tracking page has been down all day.
 

They stayed in Phoenix quite awhile. Prolly had some cars to drop off/pick up. Arrived at Gardena, CA around 6 PM. Didn't show as being "At Destination Terminal" until much later.

Weather clear for the rest of the trip. Seems like the driver tucked in early tonight, at around 6 PM in Arizona City, AZ.

Nasty weather in Oklahoma and Texas, right where Helen went though, especially in Dallas. Looks like they are spending the night in Pecos, TX, heading west on the I-20 to where it meets the I-10.

Moving for real now. South down US-35 and then west on US-44...Through Iowa, Missouri, and into Oklahoma.

Moving!

It is now listed as "In Transit" as of early this afternoon. It's only moved about 5 miles from the terminal, to Brooklyn Park, MN.

DAS tracking page ETA updated to 3/8/08.

DAS tracking page ETA updated to 3/8/08.