[sherlock9c1]

This sticky contains links to all of the great posts made over the years that can help you fix your B-body.

GENERAL HELP
Impala SS Forum Tech Tips. New submissions are always welcome!
Lots of good F-body LT1 information, much is useful on the B-body LT1.
F-body LT1 diagnostics. VERY useful.
how to rebuild your LT1
Fastener tightening specs
Buick Roadmaster climate controls allow you to do some engine diagnostics.
Differences between LT1 and LT4?
Didn't someone post the Haynes manual online? Where can I find it?
What can I use a vacuum gauge for?
DCM? BBB? 1LE? What are all these acronyms and abbreviations?

SAFETY ISSUES / NEW OWNER CONCERNS: (things you should check immediately)
'94 owners: Aux Battery Post should be made out of brass and not zinc. Can cause fires! Also causes weird drivability problems.
AC drain elbow gone, causing cabin water leak
AIR Pump TSB
Coolant line plastic fittings (T and restrictor) can break with age.
Exhaust manifold bolts are prone to breaking. Also, fix your RH exhaust manifold by cutting the ribs

NO START
Good diagnostic thread

TROUBLE CODES
OBD1
OBD2

POOR GAS MILEAGE
good info here.
more info.

MISFIRE / RUN ROUGH
systematic diagnosis of misfire/backfiring.
code 16 / 36 / P1371 misfire codes - could be the opti or opti harness?

IGNITION
coil: how to upgrade a '94-95 to a '96 coil. Pinouts
coil wire often corrodes. It's on the front driver's side of the engine.
Ignition Control Module (ICM) - if the car doesn't start on dewy mornings or just up and dies while driving, it could be the ICM.
plugs
wires
wire routing
plug wire heat shields - where do they go?

OPTISPARK DISTRIBUTOR
Watch this video FIRST before trying to diagnose your ignition system.
here's a written procedure based on the video thanks to user "juniorwatson"
is the '94 B-body opti different from the '95-96 units? no.
optispark ("opti") shopping advice
optispark diagram for DIYers.
optispark diagram for DIYers part 2
helpful optispark diagnosis thread
rebuild or replace?
How to Remove/Install your optispark
How to Remove/Install your optispark #2
How to Remove/Install just the cap and rotor
opti maintenance, especially if you are replacing the water pump
optispark alternatives
vent harness anatomy
VIDEO: How to replace the seals in the timing cover that drive the opti and water pump.
Can I flush out my opti? Would it work better afterwards?
Do I need the o-rings on the opti shaft? What size are they?

FUEL
fuel pressure checks
bad / leaky injectors
how to tell if your fuel pump is bad
how to drop your gas tank and swap the fuel pump
fuel tank drop #2.

FUEL LINES
Steel fittings on the end of the factory nylon lines rusted out and need to be replaced.


FUEL GAUGE / GAS GAUGE / GAS HAND
how to refurb and recalibrate the sending unit
fuel gauge calibrator if you're lazy or don't want to drop the tank.

AIR pump (Air Injection Reaction)
Check valves known to go bad and leak fumes back in
GM's TSB

IDLE SPEED
High:52mm throttle body / throttle cables / IAC?
Low: low idle speed + misfire, good systematic walk-through.

EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation)
"What is a EGR?" - everything you need to know about EGR.
EGR FAQ
poor drivability caused by EGR
how to test for bad EGR

GENERAL DRIVABILITY
Try Motorvac. List of shops.
split BLM's with aftermarket throttle body.

SENSORS
bad Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)?
bad Mass AirFlow Sensor (MAF)?
bad Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS)? (only on '96 engines)
where's the coolant temp sensor?
Oil level sensor on driver's side of oil pan causes low oil light.

 

[sherlock9c1]

STARTING
vette starter upgrade
other starter problems

SERPENTINE BELT
materials have changed - can't just look for cracks anymore.
belt size for underdrive pulleys
having problem with your AC delete pulley throwing or eating belts?

PASS-KEY antitheft - can disable fuel injectors and give a no-start condition.


EXHAUST PROBLEMS
broken manifold bolts
manifold brace cutting TSB
glowing manifolds or cat
an exhaust bolt broke off!
another good exhaust manifold thread.
what exhaust manifold bolts should I use?
can I delete my AIR pump system?O2 sensor: how to get that pesky Oxygen sensor out from the passenger side!

OIL PRESSURE
60psi oil pressure sensor mod
What is the sending unit in my oilpan?

WEIRD NOISES
Engine making a ticking noise from up top.
alternator squeaking.

GENERAL REPAIR HOW-TOS
How to remove the harmonic damper. Is the harmonic damper keyed a certain way?
How to remove the damper in a junkyard using throttle body bolts!
How to flush your power steering fluid.
How to remove the front crankshaft hub (if you're replacing the seal)
How to disconnect the big electrical connector on the passenger side firewall.
Turn signal cancel spring broke. How do I fix it?

ROCKER ARM ADJUSTMENT
How to adjust the rocker arms.
How to adjust the rocker arms pt 2.

FIXING LEAKS
Replace rear main seal
Leaking oil cooler hoses
Oil leaks on the front of the motor
Oil filter adapter leak fix
leak at the sensor on the side of the oilpan

WATER PUMP
How to install the new water pump driveshaft seal on the timing cover
water pump driveshaft seal #2 (slightly different perspective)
Do I use RTV on the water pump gaskets or not?
Are the Impala, Camaro and Corvette LT1 water pumps different? Yes.
Do the electric pumps flow more than the stock mechanical pump? Which should I use?

AC DRIP TUBE MOD
How to add a longer hose to yours so you guarrantee to get it away from the body.

COOLING SYSTEM
See the HVAC section
Improved thermostat housing bleeder valve
Heater lines plastic fittings can break with age.

COOLANT OR OIL CONTAMINATION
sludgy coolant
coolant turned black

ELECTRICAL
Twilight sentinel not functioning properly