86 ALCL help

"CardsFan" wrote in message

>
> "ssome" wrote in message
>
>>i miss those straight 8's
>
> Do you miss the vibration or the hood length?
>
> AJM
> '93 Ruby Coupe, 6 sp (both tops)
Don't remember ever driving a straight 8 that had any vibration and that's all
my Dad had until he got the '56 Pontiac (Yes, I know they came out in '55 but he
didn't have one.). They sure did require a big roof though but it was no bigger
than my Chevy coupe. Now if you really want a big hood how about the 70's
Chryslers.
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"Dad" wrote in message

>
> "CardsFan" wrote in message
>
>>
>> "ssome" wrote in message
>>
>>>i miss those straight 8's
>>
>> Do you miss the vibration or the hood length?
>>
>> AJM
>> '93 Ruby Coupe, 6 sp (both tops)
> Don't remember ever driving a straight 8 that had any vibration and that's
> all my Dad had until he got the '56 Pontiac (Yes, I know they came out in
> '55 but he didn't have one.). They sure did require a big roof though but
> it was no bigger than my Chevy coupe. Now if you really want a big hood
> how about the 70's Chryslers.

Guess I just remember being a passenger in an old Buick that had a lot of
steering wheel shake at stop signs or at idle. What days those were to be a
kid. You often got to ride in the front seat, and there weren't even any
seat belts. How'd I survive?

A friend in my college years had a Chrysler Newport. Probably 2 or 3 feet
from the front bumper to the engine block. Talk about a land barge...

AJM
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"CardsFan" wrote in message

Snip
> Guess I just remember being a passenger in an old Buick that had a lot of
> steering wheel shake at stop signs or at idle. What days those were to be a
> kid. You often got to ride in the front seat, and there weren't even any seat
> belts. How'd I survive?
>
> A friend in my college years had a Chrysler Newport. Probably 2 or 3 feet
> from the front bumper to the engine block. Talk about a land barge...
>
> AJM
That may be the difference, my Dad never was at idle. Even when he rolled the
Bull Durham cigarette while driving with his elbows. He always said that the 55
MPH speed limit was for driveways. He passed away two years after they made the
speed limit 55 and I think it brought on his hearth attack along with the
cigarettes. ;-0
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yea, i miss that long hood and ease of working on the engine. you could
drop a volleyball in there and it would fall to the ground; now, try to drop
a marble in there on new cars. often thought of an elongated '32 Ford with
a straight 8 or 12.

i live in Seattle and i force myself to use the Air Cond 3 times per summer
just to exercise it. however, for the next 3 days they expect it to be in
the 90's here, but i'll just stay home. there would be a lot of benefits to
taking it out.

So, with 2 plugs fouled, there has to be an oil leak or no spark to those
two cyldrs. the coil has to be working right as the other plugs are right.
so, either the wires to them or the dist cap, right? i pray that this is
all that could be wrong.

thanks again for your (continued) help

ssome

"CardsFan" wrote in message

>
> "ssome" wrote in message
>
> >i miss those straight 8's
>
> Do you miss the vibration or the hood length?
>
> AJM
> '93 Ruby Coupe, 6 sp (both tops)
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: 86 ALCL help 

"PJ" wrote in message

> Hood length, yes. Vibration? wouldn't have dared vibrate!
>
> My Dad drove several Packards. In the last one I recall, the crankshaft
> weighed close to 400lb. Nine mains. Idle rpm was about the same as a Jimmy
> marine diesel. Block casting was so thick that little sound emerged from the
> moving parts. Six volt electrical system--gigantic cable between the battery
> and the starter!
>
> --
> PJ

We used to turn the head bolts out about one full turn and drive them that way
until the head broke loose. No way to pry it loose without special tools, then
grind the valves and you were good to go for another 50K. One of my first cars
was a '48 Packard Electra-matic(?), smooth machine, but one ugly green and
looked like a bath tub upside down.
 >> Stay informed about: 86 ALCL help 

ssome wrote:
> yea, i miss that long hood and ease of working on the engine. you could
> drop a volleyball in there and it would fall to the ground; now, try to drop
> a marble in there on new cars. often thought of an elongated '32 Ford with
> a straight 8 or 12.
>
> i live in Seattle and i force myself to use the Air Cond 3 times per summer
> just to exercise it. however, for the next 3 days they expect it to be in
> the 90's here, but i'll just stay home. there would be a lot of benefits to
> taking it out.
>
> So, with 2 plugs fouled, there has to be an oil leak or no spark to those
> two cyldrs. the coil has to be working right as the other plugs are right.
> so, either the wires to them or the dist cap, right? i pray that this is
> all that could be wrong.
>
> thanks again for your (continued) help
>
> ssome
>
> "CardsFan" wrote in message
>
>> "ssome" wrote in message
>>
>>> i miss those straight 8's
>> Do you miss the vibration or the hood length?
>>
>> AJM
>> '93 Ruby Coupe, 6 sp (both tops)
>>
>>
>
>
Hey guys, all kidding aside. Code 42 is a spark timing problem and
deals with what goes on between the ignition module, the ECM and the
harness between them. This code has nothing to do with plugs, plug
wires, HEI coil, etc. -- NADA!

To save about $ 300 in diagnostic time at the dealer or scan time at an
independent:

First step, check to make sure the PROM (memcal) is properly seated in
the ECM. Reset the code.

Second step, (if it throws code 42 again). Get out a test lamp and a
good volt-ohmeter and follow the troubleshooting chart for Code 42.
This will pinpoint it, saving a bunch of time and dollars.

If you absolutely must throw parts at the problem, replace the ignition
module. IIRC its about $ 45.

--
…PJ
’89 HookerCar, ’02 E-blu 6-spd Coupe
 >> Stay informed about: 86 ALCL help 

"PJ" wrote in message ...
Snip all relevant information---
> Hey guys, all kidding aside. Code 42 is a spark timing problem and deals with
> what goes on between the ignition module, the ECM and the harness between
> them. This code has nothing to do with plugs, plug wires, HEI coil, etc. --
> NADA!
>
> To save about $ 300 in diagnostic time at the dealer or scan time at an
> independent:
>
> First step, check to make sure the PROM (memcal) is properly seated in the
> ECM. Reset the code.
>
> Second step, (if it throws code 42 again). Get out a test lamp and a good
> volt-ohmeter and follow the troubleshooting chart for Code 42. This will
> pinpoint it, saving a bunch of time and dollars.
>
> If you absolutely must throw parts at the problem, replace the ignition
> module. IIRC its about $ 45.
>
> --
> …PJ
> ’89 HookerCar, ’02 E-blu 6-spd Coupe

OK, but I can't find the ignition module for my Packard.
 >> Stay informed about: 86 ALCL help 

Thanks, PJ

i can see from the chart that 42 is concerned with those 3 items and am
tempted to just buy the IM, but if that were faulty wouldn't that affect all
plugs? clearly something allowed a lot of oil to get to the back left and
absolute sludge to get to the back right plug.

yesterday, when i fired it up it still ran a little rough, but nothing like
before and i shut it down. today, i took it out and wound it up a bit and
burned off the extra oil in the back two cyls and it does run smoother.
when i first started it up, it did bring up the code again, but after
running it, shutting down and starting it again the code went away, for now.

$300!

the car has been babied, garaged, and 31K miles. looks new and gets
comments all the time.

ssome


"PJ" wrote in message ...
> ssome wrote:
> > yea, i miss that long hood and ease of working on the engine. you could
> > drop a volleyball in there and it would fall to the ground; now, try to
drop
> > a marble in there on new cars. often thought of an elongated '32 Ford
with
> > a straight 8 or 12.
> >
> > i live in Seattle and i force myself to use the Air Cond 3 times per
summer
> > just to exercise it. however, for the next 3 days they expect it to be
in
> > the 90's here, but i'll just stay home. there would be a lot of
benefits to
> > taking it out.
> >
> > So, with 2 plugs fouled, there has to be an oil leak or no spark to
those
> > two cyldrs. the coil has to be working right as the other plugs are
right.
> > so, either the wires to them or the dist cap, right? i pray that this
is
> > all that could be wrong.
> >
> > thanks again for your (continued) help
> >
> > ssome
> >
> > "CardsFan" wrote in message
> >
> >> "ssome" wrote in message
> >>
> >>> i miss those straight 8's
> >> Do you miss the vibration or the hood length?
> >>
> >> AJM
> >> '93 Ruby Coupe, 6 sp (both tops)
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> Hey guys, all kidding aside. Code 42 is a spark timing problem and
> deals with what goes on between the ignition module, the ECM and the
> harness between them. This code has nothing to do with plugs, plug
> wires, HEI coil, etc. -- NADA!
>
> To save about $ 300 in diagnostic time at the dealer or scan time at an
> independent:
>
> First step, check to make sure the PROM (memcal) is properly seated in
> the ECM. Reset the code.
>
> Second step, (if it throws code 42 again). Get out a test lamp and a
> good volt-ohmeter and follow the troubleshooting chart for Code 42.
> This will pinpoint it, saving a bunch of time and dollars.
>
> If you absolutely must throw parts at the problem, replace the ignition
> module. IIRC its about $ 45.
>
> --
> …PJ
> ’89 HookerCar, ’02 E-blu 6-spd Coupe
 >> Stay informed about: 86 ALCL help 

another clue might be the dash gas mileage indicator giving screwy but
constant results a few years ago
9 mpg, 27 mpg and nothing in between
this might suggest ECM

removing the air cond would seem to remove the heater as well, ...so much
for that.

i'll run it for a week and take a look at the back plugs again

also, i'll read the instructions again for the meter chks per the manual.
not sure if my 42 err is chart intermittent or not now.

ssome

"PJ" wrote in message ...
> ssome wrote:
> > yea, i miss that long hood and ease of working on the engine. you could
> > drop a volleyball in there and it would fall to the ground; now, try to
drop
> > a marble in there on new cars. often thought of an elongated '32 Ford
with
> > a straight 8 or 12.
> >
> > i live in Seattle and i force myself to use the Air Cond 3 times per
summer
> > just to exercise it. however, for the next 3 days they expect it to be
in
> > the 90's here, but i'll just stay home. there would be a lot of
benefits to
> > taking it out.
> >
> > So, with 2 plugs fouled, there has to be an oil leak or no spark to
those
> > two cyldrs. the coil has to be working right as the other plugs are
right.
> > so, either the wires to them or the dist cap, right? i pray that this
is
> > all that could be wrong.
> >
> > thanks again for your (continued) help
> >
> > ssome
> >
> > "CardsFan" wrote in message
> >
> >> "ssome" wrote in message
> >>
> >>> i miss those straight 8's
> >> Do you miss the vibration or the hood length?
> >>
> >> AJM
> >> '93 Ruby Coupe, 6 sp (both tops)
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> Hey guys, all kidding aside. Code 42 is a spark timing problem and
> deals with what goes on between the ignition module, the ECM and the
> harness between them. This code has nothing to do with plugs, plug
> wires, HEI coil, etc. -- NADA!
>
> To save about $ 300 in diagnostic time at the dealer or scan time at an
> independent:
>
> First step, check to make sure the PROM (memcal) is properly seated in
> the ECM. Reset the code.
>
> Second step, (if it throws code 42 again). Get out a test lamp and a
> good volt-ohmeter and follow the troubleshooting chart for Code 42.
> This will pinpoint it, saving a bunch of time and dollars.
>
> If you absolutely must throw parts at the problem, replace the ignition
> module. IIRC its about $ 45.
>
> --
> …PJ
> ’89 HookerCar, ’02 E-blu 6-spd Coupe
 >> Stay informed about: 86 ALCL help 

Oil often leaks past the valve seals and if you don't drive often it can and
will accumulate....seals can drip and leak regardless of mileage......that
is one of the major problems with little used cars.

When I owned my own shops ( Mustang Motors of NY ) the worst cars we had
were the ones that were women owned and/or babied to dead .( driven only a
few miles each week ).Some really hi mileage vehicles that were run into the
ground ( at that time 100k miles) ran great, burned no oil and required
only minor maintenance...


Also has anyone even considered a compression test...remember those..????
 >> Stay informed about: 86 ALCL help 

Yes, i agree. little use opens up things.
and oil into a cyl would most likely come from along the valve seals, but
why just to the back ones; same diagnostic problem as with spark module.
running it for a while, gas prices, and chkg the back plugs will tell more.
and i have been looking for my compression gauge.

notice that it took a little burn-out to clear the cyls of oil and run
smoother, but this fluttering of timing happened over night (one plug
really bad) and it does run smoother now at idle. i'ma blama my selfa.
but, i will reset the ALCL, and watch the plugs, look at the dist cap (no
more points and stuff), and when i finish fixing the computer, house, tree,
yard, ego. i will fix the car, again

i did have a datsun pickup 3 yrs ago that had good, equal, req'd compression
and still burned a little oil.

thanks,
ssome


"Sailbad the Sinner" wrote in message

> Oil often leaks past the valve seals and if you don't drive often it can
and
> will accumulate....seals can drip and leak regardless of mileage......that
> is one of the major problems with little used cars.
>
> When I owned my own shops ( Mustang Motors of NY ) the worst cars we had
> were the ones that were women owned and/or babied to dead .( driven only a
> few miles each week ).Some really hi mileage vehicles that were run into
the
> ground ( at that time 100k miles) ran great, burned no oil and required
> only minor maintenance...
>
>
> Also has anyone even considered a compression test...remember those..????
>
 >> Stay informed about: 86 ALCL help 

Just when one thinks that things can't get worse (termite mess, big tree
blows down, water damage, HA sues, computer fails, new computer fails, etc)
i checked the codes again as they were intermittent and i now have 42 and
44. Got the meter and manual out in this 100 deg F wx. beer time. sports
on tv.

ssome

"PJ" wrote in message ...
> ssome wrote:
> > yea, i miss that long hood and ease of working on the engine. you could
> > drop a volleyball in there and it would fall to the ground; now, try to
drop
> > a marble in there on new cars. often thought of an elongated '32 Ford
with
> > a straight 8 or 12.
> >
> > i live in Seattle and i force myself to use the Air Cond 3 times per
summer
> > just to exercise it. however, for the next 3 days they expect it to be
in
> > the 90's here, but i'll just stay home. there would be a lot of
benefits to
> > taking it out.
> >
> > So, with 2 plugs fouled, there has to be an oil leak or no spark to
those
> > two cyldrs. the coil has to be working right as the other plugs are
right.
> > so, either the wires to them or the dist cap, right? i pray that this
is
> > all that could be wrong.
> >
> > thanks again for your (continued) help
> >
> > ssome
> >
> > "CardsFan" wrote in message
> >
> >> "ssome" wrote in message
> >>
> >>> i miss those straight 8's
> >> Do you miss the vibration or the hood length?
> >>
> >> AJM
> >> '93 Ruby Coupe, 6 sp (both tops)
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> Hey guys, all kidding aside. Code 42 is a spark timing problem and
> deals with what goes on between the ignition module, the ECM and the
> harness between them. This code has nothing to do with plugs, plug
> wires, HEI coil, etc. -- NADA!
>
> To save about $ 300 in diagnostic time at the dealer or scan time at an
> independent:
>
> First step, check to make sure the PROM (memcal) is properly seated in
> the ECM. Reset the code.
>
> Second step, (if it throws code 42 again). Get out a test lamp and a
> good volt-ohmeter and follow the troubleshooting chart for Code 42.
> This will pinpoint it, saving a bunch of time and dollars.
>
> If you absolutely must throw parts at the problem, replace the ignition
> module. IIRC its about $ 45.
>
> --
> …PJ
> ’89 HookerCar, ’02 E-blu 6-spd Coupe
 >> Stay informed about: 86 ALCL help 

ssome wrote:
> i have the Chevy manual
> there is a flowchart for err 42 elec spark timing (EST)
> and it seems to be dependent on whether the problem is intermittent or not
> and from this it will be either the ignition module or ECM
>
> a few years ago i had a code 44 err, lean exhaust indication and snugged
> up all vacuum lines and the problem went away. don't know if this has any
> bearing on the case at hand.

The checklist/flowchart almost always lists vacuum leak is one of the
first things to check before you go through the chart. The chart also
branches on whether or not the code is intermittent.
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