Thread: Grandpa's 2001 Silver Metalic GTP

I've been in this man's garage several times. He is a methodical beast! (and an all-around awesome dude)

Awww. Thanks!

You're too kind.

Pulled the pan in preperation for the new gasket:


Found this in the screen:

So I decided to drop the pickup and give it a thorough cleaning.

More rust free under body pics since I was down there:

****ing mint.

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

****ing mint.

Yeah, I can't believe the cars down here.

The pan was showing little spots of rust, so I decided to give it quick shot of wrinkle black. I have to wait for the gasket anyway.

Oil pan gasket and new turbine shaft o-ring came.


The box they used was freaking huge. Should be enough cardboard there to re-cover my entire workbench for the next trans build.


I put the new pan gasket and freshly painted oil pan on the motor. Noticed the back knock sensor was smashed, so I swapped it with the front one. Figured if it was junk, it would be a little easier to replace in the front. I teflon taped it and torqued to 14ft lbs. Hope that's right. Everything I saw online said 14lbs.

Because I had the new o-ring, I was able to put the torque converter in the trans.

Three clunks and it sitting at the same depth at the old one. Went on real nice.

And that's where she sits for the night.

My help is coming over after work tomorrow. Hoping to get the trans and motor together and all connection made. I can't put the cradle in till Wednesday when the new motor mount is scheduled to arrive.


Had a couple of junk axles laying around so I made some plugs.

Should come in handy when washing and/or painting the next one.

Trans is in, all connections are made.






I managed to break the starter tightening the wires.


Fortunately, I can buy just a solenoid at the pick a part for $6.00. Need to get another knock sensor from there anyway. $7.50 for "Misc. Sensor" is way better than Rock Auto or Amazon' $37 price.

New motor mount should be here tomorrow, so I can raise the cradle.

is a Fram doing in there? Make sure you torque the knock sensor just right, IIRC it's 14 ft lbs

Fram... Meh... Good enough for now. Gotta make sure the thing even works after all I've done to it.

My foot pound wrench's minimum is like 25 so I went 168 on the inch lb wrench. 6 of one, half a dozen of another I suppose.

The only concern I have now is that the teflon tape I used will "insulate" the sensor. (?) Maybe I'm overthinking it.

Did you see how clean everything is now!!

It is, very pretty lol. Just get rid of the Fram ASAP. Also, did you know that you can get the oil filter off of a S10 with a 4.3L and it'll go right in? It's a taller filter so you get more oil and more filtration.

She's done! On the road under her own power. Shifts feel good. Hit all 4 gears.




Up next is the leaking radiator.

Originally Posted by BrandonHall10

She's done! On the road under her own power. Shifts feel good. Hit all 4 gears.




Up next is the leaking radiator.

Nice job man. She looks great!

Originally Posted by chrsmi1

Nice job man. She looks great!

Thanks!
Can't even begin to tell you how thrilled I was when it actually ran and shifted. No check engine lights either.

Like I say, still needs a radiator. Which isn't all bad. It will give me a chance to fully flush the cooling system. I see red in the reservoir, and green in the radiator... Uh-oh.

Yep... Confirmed. Radiator is the source of the leak. Left side cap. Can't see it too well it this picture:


But the puddle is proof:


I'm ordering parts right now.

I hear there is an upgrade for the radiator, something like a Monte Carlo's radiator. Probably around the same price and since you have to replace it, why not? Want me to look it up for ya?

That would be great! Right now, I can get the Spectra Premium 1" core for $105.48 shipped. A little extra cooling capacity sure wouldn't hurt down here.

Thing that sucks is, it looks like the coolant level sensor is junk. Radiator is full and the "low coolant" light is on. Question is, do I spent $35-$40 on a new one, or roll the dice on a $7.50 junkyard sensor...?

I'd roll the dice on a junkyard sensor, sense they have a warranty and W-bodies are plentiful. Lemme look up the radiator upgrade. You goin through rockauto?

Amazon for this order.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...for-97-03-GP-s

Whenever something breaks, replace it with something better IMO. You have to spend money on something, so might as well put it towards something better.

Curiosity got the best of me so, I pulled the pan off the broken trans.

This seems....bad.








Bonus points to anyone who can identify the larger pieces of debris!