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Need urgent evaluation advice

Wrap it Up!! I'll Take it!!;)
 
all those pictures and me stuck on dial-up till next week :cry
 
KOPBET said:
Here are some more pics.

You guys were right about the pitch out of the wheels. You can see the amount in the first two pics. Now since the guy has replaced the adjustment rods (whatever) I'm wondering if the car just need realigned or not. Tires look good. No signs of anything other than surface rust so I don't think the trailing arms are the problem, but I guess it could be. A couple of leaks as you can see in the pics. I'm mostly concerned about the leak at the rear of the oil pan. The other is at the power steering. Car looks remarkably well otherwise. VIN on pillar matches VIN stamp on the block. The owner has had the car since the late 70's. Tank has not been molested so there is no tank sticker in hand to look at.

Another thing. He took it upon himself at some point to lower the back end. As I was driving the car, the steering was VERY touchy and very easy to over steer. I was wondering if by chance he has messed up the weight distribution or steering geometry by lowering the back end. The right side rear is 28" to the bottom of the fender well and the left side is 27 1/2". Just looking at the car from the side it is apparent the rear sits lower than the front.
Click to expand...

Anyone??
 
None of the pics look bad...Looks like a great buy at $9500 maybe if you dont buy it Ill talk the old lady into buying it for me.....Yeah right like that will happen......Tire pitch can be corrected easily...looks like an adjustment issue more than a spindle issue....Overall....from the pics it looks like a great great buy....Leaks...?????? They all leak....sooner or later....
 
I haven't looked at all the pictures since I am stuck at 22.6 dial-up but from what I have seen here is my take if you are 10% as efficient with a wrench as you are with a computer you can handle anything that goes wrong with it.
if the strut rods have been replaced with aftermarket (VB&P) they are easier to adjust to bring the adjustment in and it will raise the rear a little.
ride height in the rear is adjustable with bolts at the end of the spring.
These cars are relatively simple to work on compared to the new ones.
If you like it go for it the price is right and it won't last if it get advertized more then locally.

email me the pics at cwpsr at hughes.net so I can walk away from the comp for an hour or so ;LOL
 
:w KOP,

My thoughts, knowing I am not a professional mechanic or body person ;)

The car looks dam good.. The difference between Right Rear and Left Rear is VERY common .. After 20+ years the body mounts begin to compress esp if the car doesn't carry equal weight in the passenger side ;) I've adjust my height by replacing the rubber on the ends of the cross-spring both upper and lower (NOT a big thing) and adjusting the bolt size to make the ride height more equal.

One of these days I may get really ambitious and change out the body mounts, but I doubt it. I've changed all shocks, front springs and rubber in the suspension. Rare stays within about an 1/8" or so from being level.

The ride height of the back end can be adjusted by what I've said above. I didn't notice but if the front tire isn't close to being centered in the wheel well it could be the front springs are compressed or sag from ... well being an old car ;) New Shocks and new rubber helps but eventually it would need new front coil springs.

Without personally inspecting the car... it's hard for me to tell you or give you advice ;) me personally, from all that you've said and from the photo's, IF I were looking for a 73, I won't be too concerned about it and I would think $9,500 or less is a great price, in my mind I could put a couple thousand in it and still feel the car is under priced when all the little bugs are worked out.. I would agree gmjunkie, BUT I would expect to do some work on it, maybe hire some work done on it, and I wouldn't be afraid to spend a couple thousand to get the way I WOULD WANT IT.. ;)

For What it's worth Kop ;)

Bud
 
KOPBET said:
I'm mostly concerned about the leak at the rear of the oil pan. The other is at the power steering.
Click to expand...
Harleys and SBC 350's...all leak oil eventually. Even my ZZ4 has started now...Power steering seepage can typically be fixed with a hose kit and maybe new resevoir. A couple hundred bucks at most.
Another thing. He took it upon himself at some point to lower the back end. As I was driving the car, the steering was VERY touchy and very easy to over steer.
Click to expand...
Look at pic 223. Those nuts at the bottom of the bolt are what set rear height. Taking the bolt up higher raises the rear end. I have 9 leafs in my rear spring which caused the car to sit way high. I had to buy longer bolts and set the locknut at the very bottom to get the proper ride height. The touchy steering could simply be the way the car was aligned. I have my car aligned for high speed straight line. This makes the left-right steering a bit harder. He may have it set opposite. Or he didn't choose and the shop just did it that way. Or maybe there's something else going on. Sounds like it would just be a simple alignment issue though. I'd figure that if you have someone else turn a wrench, over the next couple years you could put $6,000-$10,000 into it and you'd have a VERY NICE '73 with a beefy 454. Not bad for $15K-$20K... 'member, ya don't have to do all of it now.
 
Many, many thanks guys!!

I'm going in ... cover me!

:w
 
I just got in from PA a little while ago. I looked at the pics and for $9,500 your foolish if you dont grab it. Mine has that nagging rear main leak and the power steering is damp. Even if you sink a couple of thousand into it ( depending on how handy you are it would be less) you will have a car that will continue to appreciate over the years (why was I going to sell mine :L ) and you will have a blast with it. Grab it before someone else does.


:drink :Steer :naughty:


KOPBET said:
Many, many thanks guys!!

I'm going in ... cover me!

:w
Click to expand...
 
KOPBET said:
The '96 has a new mate!!!
Woo hooo!!!! :upthumbs
Click to expand...

Nice... and ya didn't waste any time updating your "My corvettes" listing off to the left under your name... :L
I'll be curious to know which car is faster in a straight line... :naughty:
 
Congrats....a man after my own heart!!!!!!! Now take a breath....roll your sleeves up.....and prepare to swear....cut your hands up......loose sleep....and drink!!!!!!!!!!!

;LOL
 
What a ride!

Thanks to all of you for your advice and well wishes!!!

:upthumbs

And yes, I think I should be arrested for stealing! You should see this car...

:D

It's not going to win any NCRS awards, but it is still well cared for and partially restored. Albeit with some aftermarket parts here and there.
 
Evolution1980 said:
I'll be curious to know which car is faster in a straight line... :naughty:
Click to expand...

Hmmm...... interesting thought!

:L
 
Congrats, you will find after a while that when in the C3 you will get more comments "cool car" or "nice car" then when in the newer one; but the newer one will be the car for the longer trips.
 
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