Stupid wastegate actuator question / Head gasket question

[Paladin]

I'm restoring an '86 T-Type with 90K on the odometer. I know nothing of the history of this car. It has an adjustable wastegate and a turbo that spits oil. I plan on purchasing a rebuilt stock unit from KirbanPerformance, and would like to adjust the wastegate back to a stock level. I'm assuming all I have to do is adjust it until it is 5 1/4" long (the stock length)?

Also, what is a good place to order new head bolts and head gaskets. The engine is smoking from the driver's side, and the only other time I've dealt with that sort of thing was when the head gasket went on my old V6 Intrepid. I know the factory seal on this motor is supposed to be great, but going by the condition of the rest of the car, something tells me the factory seal is already long gone... That is unless someone has a quick and dirty way of making sure the head gasket is fine.

Thanks,
Sam

[scottyb]

Adjust the wastegate so that you have to pull it about 1/8 of an inch to get on the arm. (maybe a little less)

As far as the headgasket. Where is the smoke coming from? Through the exhaust or is it oil burning on the surface of the exhaust? Is there oil in the water, water in the oil?

[BLACK6PACK]

If I were you and I had to buy a new turbo, I'd look at stepping up to a 44/49. It will probably be about the same price, and 15 psi out of a 44/49 or a stocker is the same, but you give yourself room to grow in the future. Also, if you grow out of the 44/49 you'll still get $400-500 out of it. You'll be lucky to get $200 out of a used stocker.

[Paladin]

Appears to be coming from the area of the exhaust manifold, can't quite pinpoint it. Doesn't quite smell like anything either which has me confused. The coolant looks fine, as does the oil, which both lead me to believe the seal is fine. I'd think if the exhaust manifold was cracked it'd make more noise....

I've considered stepping up to a new turbo... I just assumed the simplest route was to get a stock unit then work my way up. Money hasn't been spent yet, still examining my options. Are the 44/49 bolt on replacements (as in 3-bolt like the stock unit?).

Thanks for the info on the wastegate. Once the freaking Spring snow stops I'll check that out.

Sam

[BLACK6PACK]

The 44 or 49 work well with the stock converter and is probably the #1 replacement turbo. The stock turbo if squeezed can get you to the mid 12s pretty easily. The 44/49 will get you into the high 11s pretty easily. Definately an awesome street turbo!!

[turbofrank]

You might have a leaking valve cover gasket. 90k on odometer
the motor isn't broke in yet. What do you mean turbo spitting oil?

[Paladin]

Spitting oil, if you start the car, it spits oil out of the outlet of the turbo. If you give it some gas, it spits quite a bit out, give it more gas...you get the picture. I took the intercooler/intake pipes off and found oil in the mouth of the throttle body and in the intercooler. The turbo was already making noise like either shot bearings or turbine blades hitting the bell housing. It spins ok at idle, but I am able to wiggle the shaft in the turbo slightly. Right now I still have the intake bypassing the turbo (just intake pipe with a K&N on it) so I can move the car around as I fix it up.

The TA-49 sounds like a good deal, I've got a budget of about 3 grand to get this car running respectably enough to make it a weekend driver. I don't plan on racing it...yet. Just getting it driveable, I need to get a trans rebuild and the rear suspension fixed (car sits a bit lower on the passenger side than the driver's in the rear).I'll check the valve cover gaskets, I didn't think to check that, stupid me I teach myself to Keep It Simple Stupid with computers, but avoid the obvious with the cars!

Anybody like the green-stripe injectors? I plan on ordering a set with the TA-49.

Sam

[BLACK6PACK]

If you're not going to race it and keep it as a street car, I would suggest looking into an alky kit. Cheap fun and easy to install. Your first mod should be some sort of scan tool such as Scanmaster, TurboLink or Direct Scan. I have the scanmaster for daily driving duties, and Direct Scan to record at the track.

[Paladin]

Alky kit? Whazzat?

Sam

[Paladin]

NM I googled it, Alcohol injection.

Sam

[BLACK6PACK]

www.smcenterprises.com

I'm running 23* timing and 24 lbs of boost on 93 octane gas. Its a wonderful thing!!!