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09/15/2020
My first step was to send the ECM to Haibeck Automotive Technology, out of Chicago. Marc is the go-to guy for all things ZR-1, and he had the ability to test the computer in another car to make sure that wasn't the problem. I was pretty convinced in my own mind that the ECM was bad, so found myself oddly disappointed when the call came back that my ECM was perfect! On the plus side, it removes that question. While I'm at it, I'll have Marc burn me a new chip to optimize all the performance upgrades.
I have the car at a shop that I use where they are fixing the brakes, adjusting the clutch, and installing new tires to make it roadworthy. Now they will also be diagnosing the main problem! Getting King to run again!
(My brother came up with the name King, based on "the king of the hill" reference. I like it. He is certainly the King. The king of spending my money!)
I cannot WAIT to get him back on the road. He's going to be a wild animal for sure!
I just did a quick walkaound of King, just to show a few things. You might notice the dark-colored drips coming from the intake. I think it's gasket adhesive from when some service was done earlier in it's life. Hopefuly, I can get it off. It looks terrible.
09/17/2020
He's alive! The King is Alive!
The shop called today to inform me that the engine was running! After checking the spark and finding that ok, they checked the fuel pump and discovered no fuel pressure. Removing the pump assembly revealed a plastic hose clamp had failed, resulting in a hose inside the tank to come off. It was just pumping fuel directly back into the tank!
The big question is, why would a shop with the name that rhymes with "Dorvette Nasters" not know enough to check fuel pressure as one of their first diagnostics? What is the story over at Dorvette Nasters? Not sure, but I wouldn't recommend taking your Dorvette there. There must be more to the story...
Another newly running walkaround. I am super excited!
I'll run the first tank of gas out as quickly as possible (if you know what I mean) It has a tiny miss, but that old gas has been in there a while. I've filled it the rest of the way with good gas and added, um..., additives to help the bad gas be not as bad.
This is going to be fun!
09/20/2020
I went ahead and changed the oil and filter, as well as the air filter. The air filter took a couple tries, because the aftermarket forced air system uses a bigger filter. I found this out only after I had purchased a new K&N in the stock size. Thankfully, the old filter had a part number on it which I was able to cross for the correct size.
Where the front license plate usually resides, is a custom air intake, manufactured by AO Engineering, which goes directly into the filter box. This was to help the engine breathe easier, since the air is being force into the engine as you drive, instead of the engine having to draw the air in by itself. The air should also be cooler, than if it was drawing it from inside the engine bay. Engines make more power in cooler air. There have been dyno tests run that indicate the system doesn't add power, but even if that were true, it still looks cool.
With the hood off, you can see how the plumbing was routed for the install. It was pretty extensive.
12/13/2020
After getting King's painted parts reattached, I spent some time detailing the engine bay. I felt we were really close to listing him for sale and wanted to finish up the little details that make presenting a car to a new owner satisfying and special. Afterwards, I brought him to my detailer to have the new paint buffed and waxed. That afternoon, I received a call from the detailer telling me that King was ready...and that he wouldn't start. All the lights on the dash were bright with power, but when he turned the key nothing happened. Ugh. Seriously?!! He did that to me when I first bought him, too. I installed a bypass on the VATS system after that and have had no problems since.
I took the truck over there later that day to see what I could do. There King sat, gleaming like a deep black pool of molasses under florescent suns. I climbed behind the wheel and inserted the key in it's cylinder, whispering a hopeful prayer as I twisted it forward. The engine obediently started causing me to shake my head in confusion! I looked at the detailer and shrugged my shoulders. But I drove home with a nagging suspicion the issue was not resolved.
The next day the problem was back. I felt frustrated at the delay. So close to being done, and he's acting like this! Calming myself, I determined to track down the problem once and for all. I sat down at the computer and asked the internet for help.
I'll let the video tell the rest of the story...
12/19/2020
So King is at the shop getting his AC fixed. After I installed the new starter, that was pretty much the last thing to do before listing him. Air conditioning may not be important in December, but this could be a dream car for the next caretaker and I don't want anything to mar the experience of that meeting. My mechanic called me with the news that King needs a new AC compressor. It's never so easy. Of course, like almost everything else on him, you can't just go down to your local auto parts store to buy the part. I sourced a new compressor from an online Corvette vendor and am waiting on the mailman to bring it so we can fit the last puzzle piece to complete the picture. King will finally be ready to be introduced to the world as he should be. I'm very excited!
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