some questions

[todd peterson]

1) sure way to check or test turbo seals and/or bearings,2) vacuum diagram for 1986 GLH-T, none on underside of hood, looking at add another GLH-T (Its red) to add to my collection (but a buddy of mine in NC teels me the owner overheated the engine many times due to fan and relay problems ( shows code 35) also a lot of spliced wires at fan relay,main supply to ign. switch (I think J- and J-2), Is this worth the effort, car is really priced low, and owner is looking to sell fast, thanks in advance todd

[puppet]

I don't think there is a foolproof check for a turbo if the engine isn't running Todd. You can check for excessive shaft play but as far as the seals go ???

Gary's site has all the vacuum diagrams.

As for the wiring ... think worst case. That'd mean a harness swap I'd guess without seeing it. Hows the car's body?

[todd peterson]

Body has no rust under, and no rust above ,looks good not a show car but a ten foot looker, todd ps I can run engine ,Iwill be down there in a couple of weeks, another question how long if any can I run engine with oil supply line to bearings(on turbo) thinking just a minute or so (to check bearings ?????), has intermitten blue smoke out the tailpipe

[puppet]

Did you mean without oil supply to the bearings? If so, I wouldn't do it. In a minutes time, without oil, that shaft could sieze. These are just like babbitt's. No oil and you've got metal on metal. Exhaust heat and the heat induced by the shaft's RPM will do the rest, quick.

You can feel for excessive shaft play. If he's real sloppy then the bearings are probably shot. The seals would need oil pressure on them to see if they're passing fluid. Evidence and quantity of raw oil in the compressor housing/hoses and or in the exhaust DP ... if you can get at it ... will tell you pretty much what kind of condition the turbo's seal's are in.
Worst case is a $300 rebuild plus shipping both ways.