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Post by gator on Jul 17, 2011 22:50:40 GMT -6
This first entry will only serve as a teaser for those of you wanting some real good meaty details.
Finished the install with only 1 major problem, and perhaps 1 or 2 minor issues. Everything matched up perfect except 1 item. The "Y" pipe mates to the cat just fine and the rear cylinder bank as well, but not the front bank. The crossover pipe outlet is about 5/16 bigger on the 4.6 than the 4.0 and the flanges don't fit right. Sooo wish I had trial fit that before dropping it in there. Tried to have it fixed, but went the wrong way on that solution. Anybody know if a "Y" pipe from a Caddy will mate to the cat proper like?
Also might have an issue with bad fuel. Sat in the tank since Dec. and I'm sure its not helping the car run right.The engine barely starts and runs on its own. I was able to start it using carb cleaner and run about 8 gallons through it. During this time, I ran it as fast as 6K RPM. It ran super smooth when it got over 2K, but won't run at low speeds very well.
Doing some training for Uncle Sam for a couple of weeks. When I return, I will get a new "Y" pipe and have my existing flange modified to fit the larger pipe or get a new "Y" pipe from a Caddy. I will also post a bunch of the pics I took during the studding operation, engine assembly and installation.
That is all.
Gator
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Post by Marc on Jul 18, 2011 10:21:42 GMT -6
Pics & video ASAP!
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Post by lanceslambos on Jul 18, 2011 10:37:07 GMT -6
good to see ya again Keith
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Post by gator on Jul 18, 2011 19:14:42 GMT -6
Definitely, but the pics aren't very interestingif you've seen the N* before. There are some good ones of the internals though. Unfortunately my pics are 100 miles away. I think I'll wait until until she's mobile before posting video as well. BTB Lance, I saw a white classic trolling the alley behind where I was fixing Dora about a week ago. Didn't get the plate but it looked and sounded really good. Just curious if it may have been you.
Gator
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RCA1186
Administrator 
Rob
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Post by RCA1186 on Jul 19, 2011 7:55:19 GMT -6
Sounds like you might have a vacuum leak somewhere
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Randy T.
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☯ AURORA GXP ☯
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Post by Randy T. on Jul 19, 2011 10:07:34 GMT -6
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Post by andy2003si on Jul 19, 2011 21:10:23 GMT -6
Sounds like you might have a vacuum leak somewhere Yes I agree, from what little info was posted thats what i'd diagnose. Does this have all new plugs and a fuel filter, also i'm assuming the CEL is off? Usually to get the fuel bad it takes quiet longer than what you posted how long it sat, get that Y pipe fixed before you try doing anything else, you'd be hella suprised what lack of back pressure can do especially that close to the exhaust outlets... |
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Post by gator on Jul 20, 2011 20:12:12 GMT -6
Andy,
Didn’t post much info because I had to leave town before I got down on the troubleshooting. Fairly sure there’s no vac leak, but I haven’t ruled it out. New wires and NGK plugs, but no filter. CEL was removed or burnt out when I bought it. There is definitely condensation in the fuel from sitting all winter, past that I couldn’t say. Agree about the y pipe (heretofore called the collector, to avoid confusion). Its getting fixed ASAP when I return. Its really pointless to troubleshoot before mechanical issues are fixed. It ran so good at 3k-6k rpm I’m sure it will be simple enough to fix.
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Post by gator on Jul 20, 2011 22:18:43 GMT -6
G, That's very strange. Does that mean the y pipe from an L37 fits into an Aurora without tweaking? That would make me very happy. That's the route I would go if it would work for sure. Otherwise, I'm having a machine shop bore out the smaller flange to fit the bigger pipe. Thanks for the input. Gator Attachments:
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Post by lanceslambos on Jul 21, 2011 9:48:01 GMT -6
BTB Lance, I saw a white classic trolling the alley behind where I was fixing Dora about a week ago. Didn't get the plate but it looked and sounded really good. Just curious if it may have been you. Gator i don't know man, when and where was this? |
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Post by gator on Jul 21, 2011 13:41:12 GMT -6
Northeast SGF about 10 days ago.
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Post by gator on Jul 22, 2011 19:56:10 GMT -6
G,
This I know. The flange being different is the real challenge. If it were just the pipe sizes, it would be no big deal. They actually fit together fine with that huge gasket ring in between, they just don't bolt up. I'll post a pic to show what I tried to fix it. I really think it would have worked if it was proper like. What I'm wondering though is: Does that mean the y pipe from an L37 fits into an Aurora without tweaking?
Gator
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Post by gator on Aug 9, 2011 22:27:24 GMT -6
OK, I got the exhaust piece fixed and bolted on. Fits like a glove, a factory glove. Fired it up and it barely runs, just like before only quieter. Plugged a code reader into it and its telling me 5 of my injectors aren't right. Done messing with it so I'm pulling it to a shop in the morning to have them run a diagnostic on it. Just don't have the time right now to mess with it. Once again, more pics to come, as soon as a new laptop comes my way.
Gator
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BNICOV
Aurora Lover
Posts: 782
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Post by BNICOV on Aug 10, 2011 7:31:25 GMT -6
You know, with NGK plugs, they might be giving you an issue. Northstars and Aurora engines are finnicky with the type of sparkplugs that are in them. They like factory plugs and little else.
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Post by nelson480 on Aug 10, 2011 10:00:09 GMT -6
Oh yea! NGK will make a GM car puke! Gotta have the OEM spec ones
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Post by shelbyracing on Aug 10, 2011 10:58:30 GMT -6
Mine seems to like Bosch platinum +4
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Post by lanceslambos on Aug 10, 2011 11:17:50 GMT -6
the spark plugs can not be your injector problem. that's like hooking Pioneer speakers to a Sony head unit. my car has always ran fine on Autolite double platinums. plugs and injectors are part of two different systems (ignition & fuel) now plugs and coils that MIGHT be different.
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Post by ntrenn on Aug 10, 2011 11:19:14 GMT -6
Just bought a new set of AC 41-987 for mine. Made in Japan by either NGK or Denso.
Please feed your car the OEM spec plugs - it will thank you with 100,000 miles of trouble free service (my current set is at 85,000)
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Post by lanceslambos on Aug 10, 2011 18:53:52 GMT -6
Just bought a new set of AC 41-987 for mine. Made in Japan by either NGK or Denso. Please feed your car the OEM spec plugs - it will thank you with 100,000 miles of trouble free service (my current set is at 85,000) AC Delco's are made by NGK? LMAO |
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Post by shelbyracing on Aug 10, 2011 22:51:02 GMT -6
Wikipedia
AC Spark Plug Division
In 1899 Albert Champion, a champion bicyclist, formed the Champion Ignition Co. By 1905, Albert Champion had lost control of his company and in 1908 he partnered with William C. Durant of the Buick Motor Co. to form the AC Spark Plug Division of General Motors.[7]
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Post by gator on Sept 3, 2011 17:06:22 GMT -6
Long story short; the d-bags who were supposed to diagnose Dora screwed the pooch big time.
Problem was low fuel pressure. New filter; no change. Pre-enjoyed fuel pump (thanks to Randy T, Supermoderator); problem solved.
Next stop, burnt starter; most likely due to the excessive cranking while figuring out the fuel issue. New re-man starter; problem solved.
Oops, I let the power cable arc to the block while doing the starter and blown my voltage regulator.
New re-man alternator; problem solved
There's a reason the first step in most repair procedures is to disconnect the battery. I knew this and I'm ashamed I let this happen. Very expensive mistake. I also bought the new starter instead of fixing the old one because I thought I had thrown my other one out, then found it a few days later.
Bottom line; Dora now has a bunch of new parts in her and runs extremely well. Soon we will be changing the oil, flushing the coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid, and taking care of some general maintenance.
BTB, I think some of you folks are just superstitious about the spark plugs. Unless they are faulty or just very low quality, or the wrong type/heat range, they really can't cause big problems.
Gator
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Post by nelson480 on Sept 3, 2011 17:45:44 GMT -6
Lets see some pics of this 4.6!
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RCA1186
Administrator
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Post by RCA1186 on Sept 3, 2011 21:38:09 GMT -6
Lets see some pics of this 4.6! I second that! |
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bobsblue95
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Post by bobsblue95 on Sept 3, 2011 21:57:45 GMT -6
BTB, I think some of you folks are just superstitious about the spark plugs. Unless they are faulty or just very low quality, or the wrong type/heat range, they really can't cause big problems. Gator The main concern is the waste-spark design. The way the plugs connect to the coils in pairs, and the particular way GM designed the ignition means that basically one spark plug is charged from center electrode to ground and the other is charged from ground to center electrode. One gets +20,000 volts and the other gets -20,000 volts (actual voltage may vary, but it's split between the plugs.) The upshot is that your plugs' ground electrodes must also be platinum plated or else you will find the ground electrodes on half of your plugs deteriorating much faster than the rated 100,000 miles. It's real science, not superstition.  |
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Post by nelson480 on Sept 3, 2011 23:41:40 GMT -6
Yep! NGKs are not like that!
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Post by gator on Sept 4, 2011 8:35:35 GMT -6
That's all well and good, but several people have suggested anything but OEM plugs will make a N* run poorly. Simply not true. Perhaps they will not last as long, but when the plugs are as easy to change, as on this engine, its foolish to keep them in for 100k miles.
I will post more pics soon, but really, if you own an Aurora, it would be more exciting for you just to look at your engine. As far as I can tell, there are no visual differences between the 2.
Gator
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Post by ntrenn on Sept 4, 2011 10:21:45 GMT -6
AC Delco 41-950 plugs are $5.56 each from the Rockauto catalog. Delivered about $50 for a set.
Some have had luck with Autolite. Some have had luck with Bosch. Neither were designed to work with your engine. None of the off brands passed vehicle validation or durability testing.
I just finished 85,000 trouble-free miles with AC Delco plugs. Why would I want to try something untested and unknown?
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Post by gator on Sept 4, 2011 16:54:46 GMT -6
Very happy for your success. NGK & Bosch are not generally considered off brands and are far from unknown and untested. AC Delco parts are no better than any other Mexican made parts, and they're most likely not 'made for your engine' either. They probably made that plug long before they made the first N*. Its no coincidence an AC plug won a test conducted by GM, is it? But that's not what this is about...    I told you there's nothing special about the exterior of the engine. I did paint the cam covers and intake, but they look pretty rough now. Gator EDIT; pics resized |
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RCA1186
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Rob
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Post by RCA1186 on Sept 4, 2011 18:41:16 GMT -6
The engines ARE somewhat differant but not much lol, we just want to see a 4.6 in an aurora, and of all the people who claim to have them on here I think you're the only one who's ever proved it
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Post by nelson480 on Sept 4, 2011 19:06:06 GMT -6
Wow that engine bay looks super! Everything i can see looks new, great job!
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