I know nothing about the workings of the internal combustion engine, save some of the basics. However, I'm a guy who likes to take things apart to see how they work, so I just bought a '77 for a couple of hundred bucks, and while it starts, shifts, and moves, it's pretty much all broken. Which is okay, because, like I said, I'm a guy who likes to take things apart, and I'm probably going to fix it all, anyway.

My first priority is replacing the wiring, which looks like someone tried to renovate the thing a few years ago and botched the job - all the wiring harnesses are screwed up in one form or another, so I've torn out the interior (no great loss, as some prior owner must have kept his pet goat in there for a year or two) and am doing, I think, okay with that.

However, under the hood, things are different. I know how an engine works, pretty much, but some of the specifics are beyond me. I'll figure it out, but right off the bat, I noticed some odd things that looked out of place, and wanted the opinion of wiser minds.

So:



What the heck is this thing? It's just hanging around next to the carb, looks like it should be hooked onto something useful. Still, that's not as alarming as:



This pipe is just hanging out there, poking out of the cylinder head. What does it do? Is it supposed to attach to something critically important that has already fallen off?



Likewise, this little tube is poking out next to the carb. Why?

Like I said, the car runs okay. It puffs out a lot of white smoke, but I'm not too worried about that now. I guess I'd just like some idea about whether any of these three odd things means the car is going to explode or suffer some imminent fatal problem. Which would be okay, really, as long as I knew why...

 

The tube out of the valve cover is the pcv system. And the tube out of the intake is for the egr valve I think. Looks like the previous owner just unhooked all of the emissions stuff. I would hook up the pcv but ditch the egr stuff unless your state has emission regulations.

 

Thanks! I'm in CA, and the previous owner yanked the A.I.R stuff (including manifolds), which I'm going to have to put back on before I can get the thing legal...

 

I dont agree, the white smoke is likely your most immediate and important issue to deal with. Far more important than restoring your emission system. Tyically white smoke means coolant leaking into the engine...perhaps from a blown head gasket. How is the coolant level? Do you also have that sweet coolant smell from the exhaust? What does the oil look like....a milky mess or just oil.

 

Lessee, the first one should be cruise control cable.

Second is the PCV valve, usually hooks to the air cleaner or a vacuum port on the carb.

Third one is the has something to do with The EGR. Can't help there, cuz mine's completely gone.

Finally, somebody has a dirtier engine than me!!!

Good luck, and have fun!!

Probably be a good idea to pick up a shop manual for your year. Even a Chilton's would help a little.

And keep asking questions here... This forum has all the knowledge needed to completely rebuild your car from the ground up... just have to ask, and sometimes, ask the right questions.

Dan

 

Oh, I agree. My working idea is to yank the engine out to fit the emissions stuff, and while I'm at it replace the valve seals, fit real gaskets (currently it looks like some slathered caulking in place of a couple of them), and then move onto minor, trifling fixes like the brakes. And power steering. And the wheels, which are clipping the calipers with every rotation and trying to fall off. And the cannibalized A/C system. Oh, and the power windows, all the lights, dash, console, parking brake, and suspension. And the entire interior.

Apart from that, it's in mint condition. Bonus: clipped to one of the springs of the non-functioning headlights was an elderly baggie containing a couple ounces of extremely dry, rotted weed. Looks like someone forgot where they hid their secret stash...

 

Thanks for the cruise control cable info - something else that seems to be MIA. And thanks for the advice; I'll keep asking dumb questions for as long as you fine people can put up with me

 

Is the first picture the transmission kick down? If it is, it should connect to bottom of the linkage on the carb.

The second is you PCV valve.

I think the third picture is your choke stove, although the EGR system isn't hooked up either.

As stated earlier... a large amount white smoke is sign of bad head gasket, and could be worse like a craked head or block.

Please post pictures of the the entire car. This forum likes pictures, and you are off to a good start. Even if the car is a rough, you will get good advise on where to start.

 

The tube in the third one is for the original choke. The carb has been changed, that is why there is no provision for the cruise cable. Notice in second picture vacuum to brake power booster in not connected.

 

I don't know about the rest of you C3 CFers, but I see a body-off in the future for carpinteriac3. He even admits he's "a guy who likes to take things apart, and I'm probably going to fix it all, anyway."

Go for it, carpinteriac3! At least you know where to come to for help and advice. That's great start. Take your time. Oh, and be sure to buy a GM Shop Manual. Start by searching the 'Bay for a greasy-edge used one in good condition.

Welcome to C3 Anonymous. We all have the sickness and love it! Take pride in every step of your journey.

 

BTW, you're off to a good start with the other C3 addicts here because you posted pictures in you first post.

We're all visual kinda' guys. That's one of the main reasons we drive C3's. Pictures are good. We don't have to read all them there words to figure out what yer' talkin' about.

 

Well, I don't need a lot of encouragement to show off

I call it El Diablo *****:



Here's the interior. Hard as it may be to believe, this is actually after some cleanup work:



THE HORROR!

 

For cheap if it runs you got a decent deal there. Good luck! I hope to find a project like that (with maybe a bit more interior) myself someday!

 

Pft! Anything more than one rat-infested seat is an extravagance and extra weight in my book

It actually runs great. Makes a hell of a noise (needs new exhaust as well as everything else), has a tough time steering or stopping, but it seems to have strong bones and plenty of life in it yet. It's daunting if you're a neophyte, but hell, it's really just a lot of little machines all put together to make a big machine. And little machines are pretty easy, right?

</selfDelusion>

 

When there is a big project at work, my boss always referaces the question: "How do eat an elephant?" the answer is "A little bit at a time"

So, if you eat this "elephant" a little at time, it will get done.

I think it's an excellent project, so good luck with it.

 

You did get a great deal and you seem to be enthusiastic and looking forward to working on this ...which is great.

But it does appear to have a lot of rust. Suggest you check the birdcage and frame well before getting too far into this one. The frame is one thing, but if the birdcage is bad...this is realistically a parts car. But still a good deal if it is.

 

Do a search on "birdcage" to get a ton of info and istructions.

 

Checking for rust in the bird cage is very good advice. If the frame is bad, you have a parts car at this point. It was stripped/parked for a reason at some point and then brought back to life with an assortment of parts from other vehicles. No need to keep it on life support if the frame is toast.

If the frame is good, you have a big driver project on your hands. Probably a good way to stay out of trouble for a few years and get rid of all those pesky dollars you have in your wallet. Originality is no longer a requirement but has value if only for the functionality. Freedom to modify at will makes the project more fun for many people.

Assuming the frame is still there - I agree that you need to get the factory assembly manual to help see what used to be there and figure out if you need any of that stuff you are missing.

-Mark.

 

This may help you. But the carb you have is not correct. My first pic you will see ther is a stud bolted to the throttle arm. That is where the cruise cable goes.At the time the pic was taken I didn't have the cable, it is now on. The pvc line goes to the front of the carb center.

 

hook up the brake booster and the PCV and see what you have before ripping things apart, without the PCV hooked up moisture can build up in the engine.
this could be that cause of your white smoke/vapor
also check the oil and see if it looks milky.