Guest Corvanti Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 "refreshed" the rear taillight plastic. started with 1000 wet sandpaper, then "quixx acrylic scratch remover" - it seems to work better than "plasti-x". then went to 2000 wet and another app of quixx. a light buff and it looks "almost" new! next? still have many fixes on my "list"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clutch cargo Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 The cost of a complete 134a conversion is about the same as replacing a compressor and recharge on an R12 system. The high cost of R12 offsets the cost of the additional components required with the conversion. Most people look to the future and anticipate needing refrigerant in the future and consider the 134a conversion more cost effective even though it costs about the same as the R12 repair. ($700)In my case, I was concerned with the quality of the flush. It is almost impossible to get all the mineral oil out of the system. That's important because the ester oil used in 134a doesn't mix with the residual mineral oil and creates a sludge. The sludge, if in sufficient quantities, will eventually fail the compressor and block the dryer. Nowadays, its hard to find shops that have CFC 12 recovery equipment you can trust...so if eventually if all I do is buy time and it fails again I might be able to use the new standard 1234yf which I hear, but am not sure, will be compatible with mineral oil. Besides, CFC 12 seems colder versus a 134a retrofit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Installed sequential turn signals from Webelectric, also put a flow master Camaro dual exhaust. Both mods done to my white/burgundy '89. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Copper81 Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Changed from the Magnavox to Delco coil pack and ICM ....$25 from the local U Pull It. But now my 88 is running a bit rough, not as smooth as it was with the Magnavox coils. Maybe I have a dead coil, need to check it tomorrow though. Any other suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Installed sequential turn signals from Webelectric, also put a flow master Camaro dual exhaust. Both mods done to my white/burgundy '89.Photos of the exhaust please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 (edited) Photos of the exhaust please.Here's a video of the turn signals and the exhaust:<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qarwryEcwCg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>EDIT -- Follow this link for a higher quality version: Edited May 27, 2012 by NCReatta (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Looks and sounds really good. Where did you get the chrome tips? They look slightly oval shape in the video. Are they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Looks and sounds really good. Where did you get the chrome tips? They look slightly oval shape in the video. Are they?Thanks!The muffler and oval shaped tips both came off Recian's '89 I bought a few months back. They were on the car when he bought it, so I'm not sure where they came from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Corvanti Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Marck, that really sounds awesome!!! :cool:do you know what year(s) camaro & specs it came from?i want to add that, and the tail lights to my ever-growing list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Thanks!The muffler and oval shaped tips both came off Recian's '89 I bought a few months back. They were on the car when he bought it, so I'm not sure where they came from. i just removed a single outlet flowmaster off my car because it droned too bad above 45 mph.does yours drone?do you know what series it was? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Marck, that really sounds awesome!!! :cool:do you know what year(s) camaro & specs it came from?i want to add that, and the tail lights to my ever-growing list. Information about the Camaro muffler is on ReattaOwner.com. Here is a link:Camaro Muffler Installation*-*ReattaOwner.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Corvanti Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Thanks again, Ronnie!!! don't know what i'd do without your site! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mratzel Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 I found this thread after doing about 100 different things to my recently acquired 1990 Burgundy Coupe. Installed the repair kit for the headlight motor, new IAC, MAF, Camshaft Position Sensor, coil pack, horns, hood lifts and washer pump.Yesterday I installed a new antenna motor. The wiring from the new motor didn't match up with the previous installation but by noting which wires did what and by removing the relay I was able to splice together the correct combination so now its up on power up and down she goes on power down. I finally got the CD player to power up but now it reads ERR after inserting my CD. I plan to send the unit to M&R to see what they can do.Today I'm replacing the turn signal switch. Already disabled the SIR so no worries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 I found this thread after doing about 100 different things to my recently acquired 1990 Burgundy Coupe. Installed the repair kit for the headlight motor, new IAC, MAF, Camshaft Position Sensor, coil pack, horns, hood lifts and washer pump.Yesterday I installed a new antenna motor. The wiring from the new motor didn't match up with the previous installation but by noting which wires did what and by removing the relay I was able to splice together the correct combination so now its up on power up and down she goes on power down. I finally got the CD player to power up but now it reads ERR after inserting my CD. I plan to send the unit to M&R to see what they can do.Today I'm replacing the turn signal switch. Already disabled the SIR so no worries. Did you possibly purchase any of those parts from The Reatta Store? If not, how do The Reatta Store prices compare with what you paid for the new parts? Just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Killerbunny Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 Thanks again, Ronnie!!! don't know what i'd do without your site! Yeah great info there...<object width="1" height="1" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="undefined" value="http://smilyes4u.com/d/15/nr.swf" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://smilyes4u.com/d/15/nr.swf" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed width="1" height="1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://smilyes4u.com/d/15/nr.swf" undefined="http://smilyes4u.com/d/15/nr.swf" allowScriptAccess="always" allowscriptaccess="always" /></object> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Corvanti Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 painted the side view mirror frames yesterday. came out perfect! very little prep - wiped with rubbing alcohol, masked the surrounding area. spritzed the frames with duplicolor adhesion promoter, then lightly sprayed with rustoleum trim & bumper paint, "matte black". pulled off the masking earlier today. after a couple of days, i'll use some mother's back-to-black for protection...NOTE: i only put the brand names in the above because i've used them in the past, and i'm quite pleased with the results. i'm sure other brands would be as good or better. any comments would be appreciated. looks like i'll be doing the same on the black plastic on the front & rear bumpers in the next day or two. hoping i can get by with just cleaning the side cladding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olbuickman Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 In order to get ready for the upcoming car shows, I detailed the Reatta, I put another coat of Zaino Z2 followed up with their Grand Finale spray. This week I should hit 26,000 miles on the car. Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mratzel Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Did you possibly purchase any of those parts from The Reatta Store? If not, how do The Reatta Store prices compare with what you paid for the new parts? Just curious.I'm putting my list together but at a first glance it seems to be a wash when I include all items. I did notice the Blower motor on The Reatta Store was higher than what I found on the Internet. I will definitely check in at The Reatta Store first from now on.Thanks,Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wws944 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Mounted a repro "Handcrafted expressly for" plaque onto the instrument panel bezel - just above the HVAC controller. Had it made at a local trophy/plaque shop before the Reatta Rally, but didn't pick it up in time. The shop did a good job. It is nearly identical to the original. One really has to hold the two next to each other to find very minute differences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 i changed the drivers side front hub.it was much easier than i thought it would be.of course ronnies site helped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDirk Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Today on the 88, I changed the transmission filter/pan gasket/fluid, vacuum modulator on the tranny and the fuel filter. The filter/fluid just because it was due, the vacuum modulator because I was getting harsh shifts - both up and down - and the fuel filter because it was the original 24 year old part. The car has 41,500 miles on it presently. The good news is the car now shifts MUCH better than before, seems the vacuum modulator was in fact shot. The new fuel filter has smoothed out the engine a bit, but it still surges and hesitates at idle, and periodically stalls out. Next item to address this is the intake manifold gaskets, I suspect that is most of the rest of my problem. Also began work on repairing the 16 way seat switch pod on the 88, the plastic form is cracked in several places and the vinyl covering was all torn up. I'm fiber-glassing the plastic pod the repair the cracks, and will probably have Craft Customs redo the wrapping on it in matched leather along with a steering wheel sometime soon. KDirk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Went to Ronnies site and downloaded the recipe for redyeing tan carpets. I had found some pretty nice Lt. Tan Riv. floormats at Gibsons and cleaned them up and just now sprayed them. I first tested the dye recipe on the rear mat [from the Riv]. The rear turned out well so I did the fronts. Very happy with results. Sent pics to Ronnie for downloading. Easy project and very inexpensive. [Dye and spray bottle less then $10.00, floor mats may have been $5.00] Sure to make your interior look great. Just as a tip, as you use a spray bottle, I would think that if you taped off your trim you could do the carpet without removing it from the car. I am going to try it on the Black. Just have to work out the color formula as there is not one [formula] for the dark gray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDirk Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Dave, good to hear that. Among my endless list of Reatta projects is getting a burgundy dye "recipe" to use on my 88. The carpet is not too badly faded except on the storage bin, and even that isn't really bad but enough to bother me (perfectionist that I am). I'll probably re-dye the whole carpet when I get the right shade mixed. Tonight, so far, I have replaced the drivers side mirror with a freshly painted spare, the drivers side front woofer, the front outside belt weather strip (curved along bottom of window) and am presently waiting for the upholstery adhesive to dry on a freshly recovered front drivers speaker grille, on which I used OEM matching grille cloth. Have to lubricate the window regulator and power lock linkage before I put it all back together. Will be doing most of the same on the passenger side yet this week. Then it is back to troubleshooting the rough idle/stalling problem I keep having. KDirk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doity Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 (edited) I have had a busy 2 days since taking my 88' out of mothballs from the winter/spring. I had a "smartmirror" installed which is a GPS/Rear-View Camera/PC thing. Mainly it is for the GPS, Bluetooth, and rear view camera functions but it runs on a version of Windows CE and you can also do things like view pictures, listen to music, and get this......read E-Books. Probably not the smartest thing to do when driving but there it is.Also, the next day I had a full detail done which it really needed, especially the carpets. Everything came out great and the car is running really fine now. Looking forward to a nice summer of motoring Reatta style! Edited June 15, 2012 by doity (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 I have had a busy 2 days since taking my 88' out of mothballs from the winter/spring. I had a "smartmirror" installed which is a GPS/Rear-View Camera/PC thing. Mainly it is for the GPS, Bluetooth, and rear view camera functions but it runs on a version of Windows CE and you can also do things like view pictures, listen to music, and get this......read E-Books. Probably not the smartest thing to do when driving but there it is.i so want one of those but 900 dollars is kinda steep.also it sucks that it doesn't have a radar detector in it per the website.[ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doity Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Hi Handmedown.....actually the SmartMirror was fairly inexpensive. I think I paid a little under $300 for the OEM version which was made by Azentek. I think Escort just put their name on it. The installation was $100 as you can buy the install card off of the Escort web site. Not a bad deal. It has a lot of functions but I haven't got around to messing with it too much yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Convert2water Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I bought one! My Dad had one in the mid 90's and I loved it it. So now it is my turn to own one. It is a 1990 red hard top with no sunroof, or cd player nor does it have the 16 point seat. It does have 82k miles and runs great.Of course it has been sitting for awhile, so I am putting some love into it. Today I got the a/c conversion kit done and it seems the condenser has a hole and needs to be replaced plus the fan for the condenser was also loose and became damaged over time. The fan only had three blades.So, I have purchased these items off the internet and waiting to have them installed.The headlights do not pop up. But after some research it seems I need new crank assembly which will be next on the list to be done.For being over twenty years old this car is fun to drive. I love this car and so happy to be a Reatta owner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 is there a high performance condenser that fits the reatta?my air takes forever to cool down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Never mind Convert2water. In my excitement I didn't notice it didn't fit a 90 model. Sorry. It's still a good deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Convert2water Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Yes I saw that The Reatta Store has a condenser for less than $16 bucks but it says it does Not fit 1990 model. So I had to make my purchase elsewhere. But thanks for the info and I am sure I will do business with the reatta store in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Thanks Convert2water. Again, welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 is there a high performance condenser that fits the reatta?my air takes forever to cool down.I'm not aware of a high performance condenser for a Reatta but they could be available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 handmedownreatta, check your radiator fans and your high side pressure if you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Copper81 Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 What did I do to my Reatta today? Well, I put it on a car hauler to transport it from New Jersey to Castle Rock, Colorado. Colorado will be my new home in about 3 weeks and my son will take delivery of the Reatta (and some other cars I transported - the 3 "old" ones in the picture) when it gets to Colorado. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 I would like to refinish my back up rear taillight ths weekend. I know that someone has had good resulys with sanding and a clear top coat. I have not been successful with the search. Can anyone help me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 I looked for over an hour on the forum using the search. No luck. The search worked well if one is looking for stuff over 5 yearts old. So I went off line and googled headlight restoration. Found what I needed there. They even had it by forum, so I clicked reatta forum. The original poster of the restoration was Recian and he used Sylvania headlight restoration kit. His instructions were great and for additional info I went to Youtube where they have a demo there... I have an extra taillight and will try the kit. I already buffed up my back up letters to install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 89 Maui Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 When I bought my '89 a year ago I had a code E026. I had started looking for the culprit that was causing my E026 since last October. I waited out the winter and began again in March. I can say that much time was spent looking and testing but I finally found it. I will be posting it on the original thread after we get back from Concord. All of your inputs from the posts were definitely, NO, extremely helpful.So now I was able to start on the other projects of maintaining her. I replaced the oil pan gasket, but not as a hint, but do yourself a huge favor by purchasing the gasket with a center sealer section. It costs around $30 but you won't regret it, it seals excellently and has more firmness and detents that keep the gasket in place while you are holding the pan up and inserting the first bolts. After 2 weeks I have noticed a little leaking from the intake manifold gasket, but that is another project this coming fall.Next was replacing the brake fluid. I started suctioning out the reservoir and couldn't get the lower section. I then went to Ronnie's website and read to cut the hose and the lower section started draining. I couldn't tell you how old that brake fluid was, but it was nasty. Then I got out the floor jack and jack stands, but found removing the wheels would be the best way to bleed the lines. As Ronnie's website states, fill the reservoir and let the pressure pump bleed the lines. That maybe the easiest brake fluid change that I ever made. After a few days I see the reservoir fluid is getting a little brownish which is telling me that the brake fluid is cleaning the system and I will do the brake fluid change again later this summer. Currently I am waxing her and cleaning the interior getting ready to leave for Concord tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 I looked for over an hour on the forum using the search. No luck. The search worked well if one is looking for stuff over 5 yearts old. So I went off line and googled headlight restoration. Found what I needed there. They even had it by forum, so I clicked reatta forum. The original poster of the restoration was Recian and he used Sylvania headlight restoration kit. His instructions were great and for additional info I went to Youtube where they have a demo there... I have an extra taillight and will try the kit. I already buffed up my back up letters to install.Ronnie, how did you miss this one? Bet you could also add a kit to your store too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Ronnie, how did you miss this one? Bet you could also add a kit to your store too.Looks like I did bookmark it for a tutorial but just didn't follow through with getting it done. I will have it on the new website update. It should be done before too long. Thanks for pointing it out to me to geter done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerrykiefer Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Got the black 90 convertible back from the shop, he was in to get the cam sensor magnet replaced. The boys couldn't figure out the system to getting remnants of the old magnet out and installing the new one with the brim removed with a mirror as illustrated by Padgett in his summary.They felt better taking the timing cover off and since they were in there replaced the water pump that could have been the original. They also changed the oil and filter.Bottomline, when everything was said and done, they charged me 187.50 but I supplied the sensor and magnet.Coupe guys from EL Salvador who worked about ten years in New York but got tired of the cold and lack of Mango trees so they moved to South Florida. Have a nice little shop in Deerfield Beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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