pfloro

If this the cause, what is the fix...? Referencing the wiring diagram segment below: Relay connection #3 powers the horns when the relay is energized. Connection #1 is always hot. Connection #2 is the relay coil. It is grounded and the coil is energized when the contacts in the steering wheel pad close. To verify if the steering wheel pad contacts are the problem: Disconnect the relay connector. With an ohmmeter, measure the resistance from connector #2 to ground. If zero ohms, the steering wheel pad (or wiring) is the problem. If infinity, the problem is at the relay or "beyond"... Paul

As rocketraider noted, an alarm pin switch or the associated wiring may have "shorted to ground" causing the horn to sound. However, the factory or aftermarket alarm systems I've worked with over the years "cycle" the horn (short honk, pause, short honk, repeat...). If an alarm system exists, it's controller may have failed causing a continuous "energizing" of the horn... Also (alarm system or not), the little spring inside the horn relay may have broken causing the "high current" contacts to close. I would rule out an alarm system (if present) before doing anything else... Think like Sherlock Holmes...! Paul

I'm pretty sure that the last American carbureted engine was the Olds 307 V8 which was made through the 1990 model year. It was used from 1980 and GM didn't see the need (those bean counters...!) to convert it to FI (even throttle body) because it easily met emission standards. Paul

Thank you, Rusty... I gained more knowledge... Paul

I'm not an expert with these engines, but... Is the bottom end intact...? If so, why not remove only the cylinder head...? Paul

I believe Chrysler offered it as an option in 1972 and then made it standard across the board in 1973. I'm not sure, but I believe GM made HEI standard in 1975 when catalytic converters arrived. I don't know when Ford joined in... I carried a spare EI module for the 12 years I owned my 1973 Plymouth Duster. Throughout ~116,000 miles, I never needed it (and never had to fiddle with the timing either)... My sister-in-law had a 1965 Valiant and my brother would remove the distributor from the slant six to change & adjust the points...! Of course EI is not perfect but in my experience, the pros outweigh the cons... Paul

I use the phrase: "a two hankie." Watch it closely. Everyone's emotions and Gram's change is through the facial expressions. It's a beautiful work of art... ...and such a message... On the technical side, I really appreciated the authentic GM starter motor sound... Today's gear reduction starters just don't sound the same. ...and that 8 track tape player...! Paul

I would take a thin plastic scraper blade and from the front, wedge it under the large "disk". Then gently twist the blade to coax the switch away from the panel. Move the blade to another location and do the same. Follow "around the clock" to break the switch free. Then you should be able to rock the switch from behind to pop it out... Side to side movement and not twisting is what is required to compress the "spring steel petal fingers". Those fingers are what is holding it into place... 61polara was typing as I was typing...! Take your time... Paul PS: You could also use a thin metal paint scraper covered with blue tape (to protect the panel)...

There are no automobiles in this 9 nine minute video but I hope that you find the autumn imagery a relaxing break from our hobby... This 16mm film was my college senior honors project made in the autumn of 1976. I just completed an extensive restoration... Enjoy...! Paul Be Here Now

Please see my post above. I corrected these images and "dolled them up" earlier this afternoon... Paul

These images and descriptions are so cool...! Thank you 38 Buick 80C... The image of the cranky sweating family and then the happy "AC" family is the best...! I wonder if GM got permission from Paramount to use the words "Vista-Vision" when describing the new quad headlight setup. VistaVision was a "large format negative" process developed by Paramount in the early 1950s... FYI: The first picture released in VistaVision was White Christmas (Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen - 1954). Strategic Air Command (Jimmy Stewart, June Allyson) was in production first but wasn't released until 1955... Paul

I don't know the specifics of these mechanisms but do know that they are electrically & mechanically "sequential". Upon starting the opening operation, the 1st "task" must mechanically complete before the next task is triggered electrically. As rocketraider mentioned, properly functioning & adjusted limit switches electrically (via relays) start the next task. There are several of these tasks which occur before the top is down and stowed. The closing operation reverses the entire set of tasks...! I can see why both the engineers and service techs went mad... Paul

Thank you arcticbuicks... The car has been gone (but not forgotten) for over 10 years. However, I did check the PCV valve for proper operation when I first noticed the large amount of blowby. Paul

I always checked the oil level just before a change (engine warm) and for a few days after the change. My old eyes may have been fooling me...! The cat wasn't original and it probably had only 50,000 miles on it... The original one rusted out. That was a long time ago...! No... but I must have become aware of the blowby somewhere around 150,000 miles. This engine had a breather filter set into a grommet in the center of the left side rocker cover. A formed metal pipe then connected to a fitting on the air cleaner housing. I changed the filter every year and it was never saturated with oil. Back in the day, I would raise the hood and check everything over fairly frequently. It's funny: My brother and I never got along too well but he did tell me more than once that "you know how to take care of a car"... God rest his soul... ******** I appreciate everyone's feedback. The Toronado was a good car but toward the end, I got tired of driving a living room sofa...! A good friend called the car "The Queen Mary" or "The Ship"... Paul

Although I haven't owned my '84 Toronado (307 V8 - VIN "Y") for a decade, I have been puzzled about this for a long time. Unfortunately, I never took compression readings or performed a leak down test. *** At ~150,000 miles, when tuning (air cleaner housing off) and revving to perhaps 2000 RPM, I noticed a tremendous amount of blowby coming out of the breather pipe which connects to the left side of the air cleaner housing. Absolutely no oil was being consumed and there was no oil film in the air cleaner housing. I always changed it every 4 months (~2000 miles / non-synthetic 10W-40). I'm sure that compression was a bit low but all the plugs looked fine, starting was easy, and the idle was rock steady. I always passed emissions but the HCs were getting closer to the limit as the mileage rolled up... Before I sold the car (200,000 miles), the HCs were: Loaded reading - 117ppm (limit: 220) / Idle reading: 132 (limit: 220). CO readings were rising but within limits. Loaded reading: .63% (limit: 1.2) / Idle reading: .11 (limit: 1.20). Can an engine have lots of blowby but not use any oil...? If the compression rings and bores are worn causing lots of blowby, can the oil control rings still hold back oil usage...? I'm always want to learn so I'm curious about this...! Thanks for your thoughts... Paul

Since we can't turn the clock back to earlier style headlights or get new eyes, I have a technique which works well for me. When on coming cars approach with those bright LED headlighs, I cover my left eye and focus on the white line at the road's edge. I still have a safe view of what's ahead of me. Knowing that this technique is a compromise, I slow down a bit and preserve my limited night vision. From the 1972 Alka Seltzer commercial: "Try It, You'll LIke It..." Paul

Correct...! My complaint with the A.I.R. system (especially on a computer controlled engine) is the complex plumbing. The air distribution manifolds, hoses, switching & check valves, etc. really make an untidy mess... Paul

I think GM called that gadget "Thermac"... Paul

I think the p.o. is referring to the belt driven A.I.R. (Air injection Reaction) pump... Paul

Oh..., the great things one learns on this forum...! Thank you... Paul

Walt, Stan and Ollie have been my favorite comedy team since was a kid. One of their "two reelers" shorts which I especially like is Hogwild. It was made & released in the spring of 1930 (93 years ago). I've owned a Blackhawk Films 16mm print of it since 1970. The pictorial quality was decent but not the best. The UCLA Film & Television Archive has recently restored this short...! The source material was most likely a 35mm studio archive print and the restored image is gorgeous. Note the vast gray scale and sharpness indicating that the transfer was from a source not far removed from the camera negative. The sound track is improved too... I've attached some frames from the restored film. Enjoy... OMG...! What year is that poor Model T...? I'm curious about the car. It appears the self starter was activated by a floor button just ahead of the driver's seat front. Is that correct or just a "prop" for visual story telling...? Culver City in 1930...! Watch the entire short (~20 minutes)... Paul

Since the under powered Olds 307 has been "featured" in this topic, I want to add a little chuckle to the discussion. I ordered my 1984 Toronado with the 307. I quickly discovered that it lacked power but since I generally sedately "motor" and not drive, it was never really a problem. A friend wondered at what RPM the engine was turning while on a level highway cruise. SO..., I hooked up a tach and read the RPM. While traveling at 60MPH on a level highway (A/C off, in OD (~.70), TCC locked), the engine was loafing along at 1500 RPM...! The standard final drive ratio was 2.76 and the tires were the optional P225-70R-15s... It was barely turning above high idle...! I wasn't too surprised and then knew why this 307 racked up 200,000 miles with only a timing gear set replacement (@ ~ 150,000). *** It was a very reliable engine and as long as the CCC (Computer Command Control) system was in order and the Rochester E4MC was set up properly, the engine was smooth under all conditions. I did have an unusual thing happen (in my experience) somewhere in the 150,000 mile period, The lower (exposed) head bolt at the left rear bank sheared off at the bolt head. I noticed a little coolant weeping in that area. Fortunately, I was easily able to work the bolt out and simply installed a new head bolt. I think the torque spec was at least 100 ft/lbs. The coolant weep stopped and I never had another problem... Paul

Although I don't own a CVT equipped vehicle, I've driven ones from a few manufacturers (all with 4 cylinder engines). I found all of them to be fine for sedate "motoring" but they cause the engines to get a bit buzzy under hard acceleration. I don't miss the shift points which can be annoying given today's 6 (or more) speed automatic transmissions. In our 2016 Madza CX-5, the car's computer reduces engine power during the 1-2 shift event. This occurs at any throttle opening. It's as though the driver did a "lift foot" during the shift event. When the shift event has completed, engine power resumes. I understand why this has been engineered into the transmission (longevity of the frictions) but I don't like it at all. My mom's old 2005 Malibu with a V6 and 4 speed auto also did this during the 1-2 shift but only if near WOT. I didn't have a problem with that design. One of the functions which Subaru has designed into their CVTs is something called "Hill Descent" control. It allows the driver to set a maximum speed while on descents. The CVT (as instructed by the car's computer) varies the ratio so that the selected speed can be maintained. It immediately reminded of the Triple Turbine's Grade Retard feature...! Of course, the GR function wasn't as sophisticated and from what I've learned, it was abused by drivers thinking it was the same as the "L" range in Twin Turbine Dynaflow units... After a few "GR" starts, the Flight Pitch's seals were toast...! Paul

The big question: After all that aggravation, does the rear passenger window now work...? I certainly hope so... As Jack M stated, it's part of the hobby... We have all cussed and flipped the bird at our cars many, many times...! Paul PS: I love the safety pins (?) holding up the rear of the headliner...! Any port in a storm...

Oops... From the the pictures, I assumed that you had changed out the MC... I think that Oldtech is spot on... Paul