Re: New from PA: 73 SS L48 4 speed

by clanceman427 Wed Sep 09, 2015 4:31 pm

I've been a busy boy, so far I've:

Replaced battery, alternator, tail light sockets and bulbs, courtesy lamp and dome lamps, plate lamp, neutral safety start switch, back up lamp switch, welded broken lock on swivelseat lever (to prevent rotation while driving), replaced trans mount, reinstalled factory under hood struts, charcoal cannister, fixed passenger door light switch, oil filter, installed date correct exhaust manifolds and factory style complete dual exhaust, reinstalled factory key reminder buzzer, plus aforementioned paint buffing (ongoing) and paint touch ups around back. Front suspension checks out good, good wheel bearings, ball joints and steering components, did fresh lube job. replaced fuel.pump. Set timing correct and idle speed. Car runs and drives good, except there is a bad clutch shudder. I think I need to bite the bullet and replace the clutch pressure plate t.o. bearing pilot bushing and resurface flywheel. NAPA sells a nice kit that includes all that for around 300 or 350, did that on my old Buick and it worked out well. Also, power front disk brake pads have Plenty of life and work great!

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by thatfnthing Thu Sep 10, 2015 9:02 am

Very nice!

by clanceman427 Thu Sep 10, 2015 10:57 am

clanceman427 wrote:....
Also, looks like the backup lamp switch is mounted to the 1-2 shift lever instead of coming off the rear-most lever which is reverse.

Correction: I was wrong, that has nothing to do with back up lamps. I now believe that is a sensor for the fasten seatbelts warning light/buzzer based on how my owners manual states the function of the warning for floor shifted manual cars.

by knightfan26917 Sat Sep 12, 2015 4:43 pm

Nice ... progress!!!

Cort Smile

www.oldcarsstronghearts.com
pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve | 1979 Caprice Classic (awaiting new owner)
"Heaven knows how long it's been since I felt so out of place" __ Garth Brooks __ 'Learning To Live Again'

by clanceman427 Thu Sep 17, 2015 9:42 pm

Took the Chevelle to work today for our once-a-month bring your hobby car to work day. G3 representing!

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by clanceman427 Wed Nov 04, 2015 11:50 pm

clanceman427 wrote:
clanceman427 wrote:....
Also, looks like the backup lamp switch is mounted to the 1-2 shift lever instead of coming off the rear-most lever which is reverse.

Correction: I was wrong, that has nothing to do with back up lamps. I now believe that is a sensor for the fasten seatbelts warning light/buzzer based on how my owners manual states the function of the warning for floor shifted manual cars.

Correction correction: that is actually the switch for the Transmission Controlled Spark. Basically it allows full vacuum advance once the car is in 4th gear. I was incorrect earlier, it's attached to the 3-4 shift lever assembly.

by clanceman427 Sun Dec 20, 2015 7:53 pm

Got my car back together and had it on the road today! I replacrd the clutch assembly, machined flywheel, rebuilt and improved the ITM shifter, and rebuilt the Saginaw 4 spped. Smooth clutch engagement. No more clutch shudder! And no more "shifter going to 3rd while trans is still in 2nd gear" issue with the freshened shifter. Now I have to fix my pesky am radio, its hit or miss on working good then cuts out, comes back on, etc.

by clanceman427 Mon Mar 21, 2016 6:24 pm

by clanceman427 Mon Mar 21, 2016 6:30 pm

Ok cool I can now post pics from my phone Smile

Update pics show my "day 2" version. Came across these on local craigslist, p215 65 r 15 up front with p275 60 r15 out back, stock suspension. My factory correct rims are being saved for restoration and I have all the centercaps and trim rings thanks to the help of Anthony and Mark. But for now I like the day 2 look, and the Cragara have radials on them for a modern road feel.

by Joe73 Mon Mar 21, 2016 8:43 pm

Looks real good. I like that size tire on the back. Fills the wheel well. Good work.
I'm doing the same thing with my factory wheels. I'm going to have them dustless blasted along with my entire underneath of the car, fenders, doors, trunk lid, hood and roof. And my buddy brought over his set of factory olds wheels to be blasted as well. So I'll be shooting epoxy primer on all the bare metal and the wheels will get some argent silver. Then back to sleep they go.

by 73ss Mon Apr 11, 2016 7:38 pm

Wanted to give a thanks for posting the info about the vintage service. I did not know that existed. I sent my info in last week. I have a Oshawa built 73 as well. My interior was identical to you'rs, neutral vinyl with the olive green dash & trim. When I bought the car it was about the same color as you'rs although it was a repaint and a bad one at that. Did your car have a vinyl top? Your report says neutral top? Have you found a build sheet? never mind the last part, i re-read your post.

by clanceman427 Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:35 pm

Cool glad that helped. Yes my car did have the Neutral vinyl top originally. Interesting thing about my car is that it was ordered with bumper guards front and rear, but they were never installed. And they are definitely the original bumpers, at least the rear based on the patina of the brackets and fasteners all matching and no sign of the original fasteners ever being disturbed, proving original rear bumper sans guards. No holes for the guards in the rear bumper.

When you get your report we should compare notes to see how similar our cars were to each other. I haven't found a build sheet yet.

by 73ss Tue Apr 12, 2016 5:19 pm

clanceman427 wrote:Cool glad that helped. Yes my car did have the Neutral vinyl top originally. Interesting thing about my car is that it was ordered with bumper guards front and rear, but they were never installed. And they are definitely the original bumpers, at least the rear based on the patina of the brackets and fasteners all matching and no sign of the original fasteners ever being disturbed, proving original rear bumper sans guards. No holes for the guards in the rear bumper.

When you get your report we should compare notes to see how similar our cars were to each other. I haven't found a build sheet yet.

Will do, I'll post it when it arrives. I see your VIN is 406407, mine is 460783. If I'm reading the cowl tag right, I've got a 3rd week January build date. Those numbers look to be good as you have an early model. I've never found a build sheet for mine either. I've had about every aspect of the car apart gas tank, seats, etc. and haven't found it. Maybe the Canadians did things different. Judging by the amount of NOS bumper guards on e-bay I would assume people ordered them and then didn't like the look? That's not to surprising to find your's were never installed.

by 73ss Wed Apr 13, 2016 6:52 pm

Have you found any brown paint in the cowl area, rear floors, & trans tunnel? underneath. I guess it's a rust inhibitor. For years I thought this was the original color since it's in the cowl area. It looks like paint.

by clanceman427 Wed Apr 13, 2016 7:23 pm

Hmm I'd have to take a look.

by 73ss Thu Apr 14, 2016 9:05 pm

I took a closer look at mine today. I'm seeing the brown where the seam sealer has flaked off, where the firewall meets the cowl so it must be some sort of rust inhibitor.

Also have always wondered about the center caps. I always see the kind like you have on the car, Even in magazines. I have the round type like you have pictured in the wheel & tire section. I'm thinking they came both ways. maybe a supply & demand type of thing? leftovers from '72?

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