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So, an old friend called and asked me to look over his car, see why it stalls and overheated, and just kinda guide him on what I would do.
He also asked me to check out the work done by a local Vette shop,
so,
here goes a pandemic garage thread.
He bought it from a local dealer 5 years ago, and was told it was an old strip car, and 400hp.
I drove it a few minutes, and it certainly has a cam.
It actually runs pretty good, and has older hp bs like unilite tach drive and Holley 1850.
It spewed out the overflow on start up, so obviously the rad cap is done.
The shroud is trash, it has aftermarket air, and usually runs cool.
I bet the stat is gone too.
The fuel line is a treat. It can actually touch the belt.
The filter sock is cut off, and an inline filter right before the fuel pump.
So, the plug wire ty wrap treatment is nifty.
Funny thing is, all this crap is what we did in high school.
It's actually a treat in a way.
So, feel free to comment, say "you should do this", or enjoy the "barn find" I would call this, or ask questions,
I have already told him the fuel system is trash, and I will replace it sender to carb the correct way, along with the flex fan has to go.
With the A/C , and he does live where it's hot, elec fans would be the better option.
Still sorting the good from the bad.
it spewed out overflow on start up. stone cold? fill rad to top so you can see water-not antifreeze-at the top of radiator. start the car stone cold. did coolant blow out? if so, compression is getting into the cooling system. head gasket time.
it spewed out overflow on start up. stone cold? fill rad to top so you can see water-not antifreeze-at the top of radiator. start the car stone cold. did coolant blow out? if so, compression is getting into the cooling system. head gasket time.
I will do a combustion gas test today. It doesn't act like that, but never hurts.
So when you visit your radiator guy, you get schooled on caps. Apparently this cap is for a reservoir system, which is missing. Reservoir on the list.
I included this.paper because it was informative.
Okay. Cooling system holds pressure, so I ordered a cap and a reservoir. The next thing is dual spals. I will hook one fan to the classic air, and one to the stat, That eliminates the shredded shroud and flex fan.
$459 seems to be the price from all the venders.
I ordered a new fuel sender, some tubing, inline filter and fittings to correct the fuel hazards encountered.
Adding vacuum advance for street, I still like the DUI unit, although I have had one come back with trashed tach gears.
He doesn't want a $950 MSD system, so that leaves HEI, or a tach drive with a pertronix/lectric limited trigger. Points are out.
With a DUI HEI, I would also have to delete, change the wiper motor to a later style for clearance.
how about diy conversion w/ GM HEI reluctor & module with Ford pickup ? I haven't done it but Dave's SBH & others have
Well, that is certainly on the table.
Gonna think on that one while I gather the rest of the parts.
He gave me a budget, and I have quite the list to do. I allowed $400 for ignition.
I don't believe A/C cars had a reservoir......I know my 72' doesn't and I confirmed that that was correct and that is why it has a cap on the rad....just a hose to the ground..... 73' may be different.
I don't believe A/C cars had a reservoir......I know my 72' doesn't and I confirmed that that was correct and that is why it has a cap on the rad....just a hose to the ground..... 73' may be different.
Jebby
My stock 73 L82 has the original A/C and original reservoir. And the radiator has a cap. All shown in attached picture.
73 way back machine
