Metal Mech's Goblin #397 - 2.4L N/A Standard Frame (Project Phoenix)

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Sounds like you are replacing all the needs and most of the nice to haves in the engine. Unless you plan to spin higher than 6500-7000 RPM, the balance shafts are not necessary. Can't think of anything else as far as reliability items. There are a bunch of go- fast things that could be added at some time in the future - budget dependent.

 

[Metal Mech]

So I want to get three gauges. Voltmeter, water temp and oil pressure.
What is a good budget friendly brand? I know of Autometer and VDO but they seem pricey. There is also glowshift which I used in the past but that was mainly for a show car i built years ago.
Not ready to buy just looking at options at the moment.

 

[Rttoys]

I have seen this used on various trucks, but have never used one myself. You can get pretty much any data you want

https://www.scangauge.com/

 

[Gtstorey]

I’m running glow shift oil pressure and temperature and no problems with them. The glow shift fuel pressure gauge in my vette hasn’t worked worth a flip. The sensors only last about a year.

 

[Gtstorey]

And OBD/ECM data won't include oil pressure.

 

[Metal Mech]

Not much has happened. But I felt like posting.
Some parts have come in for the engine so hoping to get a good start.
Looking for a good cleaner to get the engine cleaned up and shiny again.
Alumibrite was suggested to me. Gonna go with that unless someone has a better suggestion.
I heard from DF and my harness should be done and on my way back to me by the end of July.

 

[Metal Mech]

No build progress but scored some free wheels. At first glance they look fine. Gonna give them the once over later.
Don’t plan to run them permanently, but then will let me get the goblin on the ground sooner till I get the other wheels powder coated and wrapped in rubber

 

[Metal Mech]

Ok it’s been a while but time for an update.
First the wheels in the previous post. I had them checked out. Two are in good shape, two are bent and have flat spots. They aren’t good for driving on the road, but they are good for driving around the neighborhood, storage and trailering. So I am gonna keep them for that usage.

Second, my wiring harness came back yesterday. Opened it up today and layed it out on the warehouse floor. Even though I knew it would be less, it’s still shocking to see how much less it is.
Of course all my label tags were removed so there will be the inevitable “where does this plug go” questions in the near future.
I already had questions about two but I will post those later. For now a pic just because.

 

[Gtstorey]

When posting your connector questions always show a picture of the endview and one with the wiring colors. That is how the service manual is laid out.

 

[Traé]

In this situation it may be beneficial to watch the harness videos when they are laying out the measurements on the piece of plywood. It will help orientate the harness and give you a relatively close idea of what the connectors get plugged into.

it’s in the first part of this video;

The videos are also pretty good at showing connectors while thinning the harness. There a decent amount of videos but could help watching them all.

 

[comegetjoe]

Your labels lol

 

[Metal Mech]

Yeah over all I know which direction the harness goes and most of the plugs I remember what they go to. Just some I don’t. I figure I’ll run it first before asking questions because most things will easily sort themselves out.
But there are a few that are confusing.
Like this one. What is this plug/ring thing on the ground harness? I don’t remember it and it looks like he spliced into the ground.

 

[Gtstorey]

Ring is the current sensor. The turbo didn't have it, but my memory says that it was supposed to be ground side on the NA models.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Yep, current sensor and it is in the ideal location at the negative side of the voltage source (battery) to capture total current in the system.

 

[ah.b.normal]

Yep, current sensor and it is in the ideal location at the negative side of the voltage source (battery) to capture total current in the system.

If your harness doesn’t support that voltage thinggie it can be left disconnected. Or even destroyed in removal. Just ground everything and you’ll be fine. Nice clean grounds are your friend!

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

If I remember correctly, the NA cars have the current sensor and will post a code if it's not plugged in or functional - maybe even flag a battery check light on the gauge panel?

 

[Gtstorey]

I think it sets a check engine DTC but I would have to confirm in the manual. But harness should be there for it anyway. If not, I would add it back.

 

[Metal Mech]

Thanks for the info guys. I placed my harness in the frame this weekend but didn’t connect anything yet. There is another plug I have a question about. Forgot to get a photo but will later. It’s got four sockets, it site inside the center tunnel roughly between the shifter and parking brake location. Has two green wires with white stripe, on black wire and one white wire.
I’m wondering if it has to do with the parking brake.
Like I said I’ll post a photo later.

 

[Traé]

Thanks for the info guys. I placed my harness in the frame this weekend but didn’t connect anything yet. There is another plug I have a question about. Forgot to get a photo but will later. It’s got four sockets, it site inside the center tunnel roughly between the shifter and parking brake location. Has two green wires with white stripe, on black wire and one white wire.
I’m wondering if it has to do with the parking brake.
Like I said I’ll post a photo later.

The parking brake connector is removed in the videos and it is a small connector with two wires if I remember correctly (could be different on newer cars). I’m not sure what else would be in the tunnel.

maybe they left a connector and tied it into the fog lamp circuit for accessory power? I know in the videos they mentioned saving wires off the fog lamp circuit. These wires were purple though.