1981 Camaro Z28

[MP81]

Also worth mentioning: the pitch-black plugs I removed only had about a 0.040" gap - whereas spec is 0.045" (what I gapped the new plugs to). I'd guess the last time plugs were changed, nobody bothered to gap them, and they wore down to still 0.005" smaller than factory gap.

[DynoDave]

Always nice to start with fresh ignition parts.

Don't forget to coat the bottom of that module with some dielectric grease before installing it.

[JoeliusZ28]

Dont plugs normally increase gap over time? Under spec is better than over with plug gap imo. And ditto what Dave said on the module, i didnt do that first time around.

[MP81]

Always nice to start with fresh ignition parts.

Don't forget to coat the bottom of that module with some dielectric grease before installing it.

Dont plugs normally increase gap over time? Under spec is better than over with plug gap imo. And ditto what Dave said on the module, i didnt do that first time around.

Sounds like I'll be taking the cap and rotor back off then.

Yes, they do. With them looking that black (probably rich/fouling from so many short starts later in its life in LA), I'm guessing they've been in there for a while, wouldn't that imply they were far under spec when installed?

[MP81]

Something else I noticed and couldn't seem to correct - but the distributor cap definitely sits slightly crooked (horizontally unlevel) on the distributor base. The original one did and so does this new one. Kind of weird.

[JoeliusZ28]

Yes although far under spec isnt likely to cause much of an issue. I was just looking at the chilton manual for my truck and found i under-gapped the new plugs i installed by .010. Runs fine.

[MP81]

Ya, it's a pretty forgiving system. I just gapped mine to the 0.045 recommended. They were like 0.020 at the most out of the box.

[MP81]

Planning on getting the tires changed soon (probably will be prior to the title, so I'll just drive them up there) - thinking of moving up from the 225/70R15 stock size to a 255/60R15. Anybody ever run this size on a second gen?

If so, will it rub? It's closer to the stock diameter than any of the 235s available.

[DynoDave]

Sounds like I'll be taking the cap and rotor back off then.

It's worth taking the time to do. The dielectric grease acts to transfer heat out of the module. It's rule #1 when changing those modules to avoid future failures.

I don't recall if you said you were going to or not, but carrying a spare module is also wise. The old one you are taking out, if it still worked, would make a great spare to toss in the glove box.

These modules have two circuits...one for cranking, the other for run. A CLASSIC failure mode is an engine that cranks, starts, and as soon as you let go of the key, dies. That's the module cutting over from the good crank circuit to the failed run circuit. Just mentioning it so it's stuck in your brain, so that if/when you experience it, maybe it will trigger your memory.

[MP81]

I have the old one, which still worked fine - and for whatever reason, the box for the one I ordered came with a second one in it.

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep it in the old memory banks - hopefully never requiring access, but if it does, it's there.

[JoeliusZ28]

From another *****in'-305 owner, thanks for that info Dave!

[MP81]

Planning on getting the tires changed soon (probably will be prior to the title, so I'll just drive them up there) - thinking of moving up from the 225/70R15 stock size to a 255/60R15. Anybody ever run this size on a second gen?

If so, will it rub? It's closer to the stock diameter than any of the 235s available.

Also on this topic - it appears that Discount carries both Radial T/As and Cooper Cobra GTs. From my reading online, the Radial T/A is the better tire (even if it has a 6mph lower speed limit - both are higher than the gear-limited top speed of the car...which is 108 ), especially in the rain, but is it $50 a tire better? I have no issue spending extra on the tires, as long as it's worth it.

And that's assuming the 255/60s don't rub.

[JoeliusZ28]

Ive never had a bad experience with any BFG and the radial ta is certainly a good enough tire for what this car is capable of. Question is what wheels are you using!!

[MP81]

Ive never had a bad experience with any BFG and the radial ta is certainly a good enough tire for what this car is capable of. Question is what wheels are you using!!

The factory 15x7 N90s (what is currently on there) for now (255/60 BFG T/A is good for 7-9" wheels).

[birdie2000]

I've used the BFG radial ta on a couple cars and had good luck with them

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