Cascade Crew

aaron_sK · Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:42 pm Post subject: South Sound yard watch

If you're looking for cheap base-model parts the storied f-body lineup at the Tumwater Pick-A-Part seems to be back. No V8 stuff and no 2nd gens, but lots of body parts, especially thirdgen Firebirds.

The McChord Pick-N-Pull has a pretty good selection of thirdgen parts, including a nice A/C delete box, but their prices continue to be completely out of sight and the door fee is up to $2 per head now.

Xophertony · Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:43 am Post subject:

If anyone is going anytime soon i'll pay ypou cash money for a few 82-86 pop-up headlight relays and one or two wire harness plugs for them. That is a dealer only $150+ item. and mine is broke but good.

Feel free to text me 971-645-9359

iansane · Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 9:00 am Post subject:

There's a black '86 IROC about to go into the Lynnwood picknpull.

Alphius · Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 9:31 am Post subject:

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 9:18 pm Post subject:

I'll keep my eyes peeled. I'll be hitting the yards sunday.

Xophertony · Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 10:03 am Post subject:

None of the Pick-n-Pulls around here have ANY thirdgen firebirds, I just looked it up. Sad

I have been starting my 86 firebird by manually moving the starter switch (removed from the column) I though because of a broken rod, turns out the thing the key turns that moves the rod is broken. It's in there so deep that it's more time/cost effective to replace the column at this point. I'll be hitting one of the north Portland yards today or tomorrow.

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 10:24 am Post subject:

What exactly is broken? The lock cylinder itself, the pinion gear it engages into, or the metal rack that drives the rod?

Tilt or standard?

The column can be stripped down to that point and reassembled within an hour and without removing it from the vehicle.

Unless you buy a column from a full service yard like B&R you will not get a key, and therefore you will have to strip the column down and replace the ignition cylinder anyway!!!

Xophertony · Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 9:20 pm Post subject:

The cage that moves the rod broke in two. I am in the column as far as I feel comfortable and the only way it came out was in two pieces. Replacing the ignition cylinder is cake.

It is a tilt column. It has a delay wiper switch too, though that should not affect the column. It is a stick shift, but there is no release lever for the key, so I think the column may be from an auto car. In fact I think I bought the column form a member here a few years back, in puyallup if I recall.

I'll gladly attempt to replace just the cage if someone can point me toward some instructions... I had just assumed swapping the column would be easier.

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 9:26 pm Post subject:

Awhile back I wrote an extensive guide on repairing various common column failures. You can find it here:

http://cascadecrew.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9248

I have done many columns over the years and I have never seen any of those parts fail, but I guess there's a first time for everything. Laughing

I'm assuming we're talking about the part highlighted in green in this picture?

Xophertony · Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 9:45 pm Post subject:

YES! that piece is broken but good. After reading your article I now feel 100% confident to disassemble further. Pulling those threaded studs with your homemade puller was the step I stopped on. Once that big metal chunk is out of the way I can get to that part.

But... Can I buy that anywhere? I'm going to have to go to the junkyard and pull one out. Might as well just get the column with the piece intact and buy the whole thing. of course that column will probably have the "limp tilt" problem...

I'll hit the junkyard and decide what to do.

either way THANKS for that write up. That is getting bookmarked.

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 9:53 pm Post subject:

Xophertony · Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 9:04 am Post subject:

WOW! Thanks Mountain Man!

Xophertony · Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 11:01 pm Post subject:

oh my god.. all the parts stores near me suck. My trusty napa said it was dealer only until I showed the counter guy a picture of the damn thing.

I'll be cycling to a vatozone that allegedly has one tomorrow, otherwise waiting until wednesday to get one "from the warehouse" Rolling Eyes

but I was goingot cycle to work anyway this week, and it will be a nice day, and I could use the exercise. Smile