help with purchase please!
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 79
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help with purchase please!
Hi, I am in the process of buying a 1973 with a 350 and automatic tranny, basically original condition with 70K miles...
The only things wrong with it are the inside door handle came loose, the owner thinks the screw holes probably got stripped. Can I just use bigger screws to bolt the handle back in or will I need to take off the door panel? The owner thinks bigger screws might work?
Also and most importantly, the rear end makes a constant clicking sound which is speed variable, i.e. clicks faster as speed increases. The owner had the U joints and entire rear end and brakes and everything checked out because the sound bugged him. Everything looked fine and the conclusion was that it had to do with the Posi traction most likely. The owner never fixed it and always drove the car this way with no problems. He is an old guy and never got on the gas enough to spin the tires so he could not tell me if the posi traction still works...
So thoughts on what the clicking could be? I am thinking maybe there is some kind of posi torque bias clutch that could wear out over time? Is the car okay to drive this way? The owner never had a problem with it.
I appreciate any timely advise since this is a ongoing negotiation.
Thanks!!
The only things wrong with it are the inside door handle came loose, the owner thinks the screw holes probably got stripped. Can I just use bigger screws to bolt the handle back in or will I need to take off the door panel? The owner thinks bigger screws might work?
Also and most importantly, the rear end makes a constant clicking sound which is speed variable, i.e. clicks faster as speed increases. The owner had the U joints and entire rear end and brakes and everything checked out because the sound bugged him. Everything looked fine and the conclusion was that it had to do with the Posi traction most likely. The owner never fixed it and always drove the car this way with no problems. He is an old guy and never got on the gas enough to spin the tires so he could not tell me if the posi traction still works...
So thoughts on what the clicking could be? I am thinking maybe there is some kind of posi torque bias clutch that could wear out over time? Is the car okay to drive this way? The owner never had a problem with it.
I appreciate any timely advise since this is a ongoing negotiation.
Thanks!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Stratford Ontario
Looks like we might have another 73 here. Welcome and Your at the right Forum. As for the door handle, You may get away with forcing another screw in there but if its stripped I would consider replacing mechanisim in door. As for the clicking, see if You can raise car off back wheels and rotate them and watch U joints if they have grease fittings they may be touching at one point of rotation. If not You may be able to locate the position of clicking. If You do purchase it We will all want to see pics.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Hi, I am in the process of buying a 1973 with a 350 and automatic tranny, basically original condition with 70K miles...
The only things wrong with it are the inside door handle came loose, the owner thinks the screw holes probably got stripped. Can I just use bigger screws to bolt the handle back in or will I need to take off the door panel? The owner thinks bigger screws might work?
Also and most importantly, the rear end makes a constant clicking sound which is speed variable, i.e. clicks faster as speed increases. The owner had the U joints and entire rear end and brakes and everything checked out because the sound bugged him. Everything looked fine and the conclusion was that it had to do with the Posi traction most likely. The owner never fixed it and always drove the car this way with no problems. He is an old guy and never got on the gas enough to spin the tires so he could not tell me if the posi traction still works...
So thoughts on what the clicking could be? I am thinking maybe there is some kind of posi torque bias clutch that could wear out over time? Is the car okay to drive this way? The owner never had a problem with it.
I appreciate any timely advise since this is a ongoing negotiation.
Thanks!!
The only things wrong with it are the inside door handle came loose, the owner thinks the screw holes probably got stripped. Can I just use bigger screws to bolt the handle back in or will I need to take off the door panel? The owner thinks bigger screws might work?
Also and most importantly, the rear end makes a constant clicking sound which is speed variable, i.e. clicks faster as speed increases. The owner had the U joints and entire rear end and brakes and everything checked out because the sound bugged him. Everything looked fine and the conclusion was that it had to do with the Posi traction most likely. The owner never fixed it and always drove the car this way with no problems. He is an old guy and never got on the gas enough to spin the tires so he could not tell me if the posi traction still works...
So thoughts on what the clicking could be? I am thinking maybe there is some kind of posi torque bias clutch that could wear out over time? Is the car okay to drive this way? The owner never had a problem with it.
I appreciate any timely advise since this is a ongoing negotiation.
Thanks!!
I'm not an expert on differentials but if it clicks while going in a straight line it doesn't sound like the positraction unit. Sounds more like a U-Joint or bearing. There may be tension on the u-joint which would make it appear to be tight when in fact the bearing is shot. Happened on my first Corvette, a 73. Probably should have a shop which works on Vettes take a look if you're not confident diagnosing the issue yourself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi CF,
73, NICE!!!
I'm thinking you're asking about the interior door PULL. Your pull on it to close the door.
A larger self-tapping screw is the easy fix; I'd take the door trim panel off to see what's going on.
Good Luck!!!!
Regards,
Alan
73, NICE!!!
I'm thinking you're asking about the interior door PULL. Your pull on it to close the door.
A larger self-tapping screw is the easy fix; I'd take the door trim panel off to see what's going on.
Good Luck!!!!
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Well, larger screw size means larger screw head. I'm not sure you can get a larger screw to fit in those holes without damaging the handle/retainers. You can get larger screws and grind the heads down to size; or you can remove the door panel, put some JB Weld putty epoxy in those two holes; then drill new holes of the correct size for the 'right' screws, and put it all back together.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
There have always been different combos available. Both these are SS. These work well in the sill plates where there is no further access.
Using different J nuts is another alternative on the door.
Using different J nuts is another alternative on the door.