old yellow 78
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all your info Bud. I would agree that a basic rebuild would be helpful. Although OY only has about 30K original miles, it is going on 44 years old. I also know that the original owner was an older woman who obviously didn't drive it much, but also likely didn't maintain it much either. Her grandson made reference to her not driving stick shift very well, and after a few years, she largely stopped driving it, instead driving a pickup truck instead. So, I don't think that it has been babied, I think it has just been largely ignored and forgotten until I found it. So, yes, all new gaskets and valve seals would make a lot of sense if only because of age. I'm surprised to hear that the timing chain is plastic! I did not expect that. If so, it too should obviously be changed - again due to aging plastic and questionable duribility.we can sure give a lot of suggestions
The conversion to fuel injection is something I had not thought of, but sounds like a good idea. Would I be able to use the stock two barrel intake? How would I deal with the octopus of vacuum hoses currently coming into and out of the Carter BBD? Would it need any mechanical or electrical modifications for it to work, or would it be largely a bolt-on switch? Where would I find one? I like the idea of a "throttle body" (?) type keeping the original look with the stock air cleaner.
You are also right about Mopar not paying much attention to paint detail back when originally assembled. My door jambs are ok, but the hinges, particularly for the rear doors had very thin paint and have noticable surface rust on them now. That is about the only place on the entire car that has any rust. Under the hood is not rusted at all, but not nicely detailed either. Ideally, I'd like to pull the engine to send out to be rebuilt, and have the car, jambs, and engine bay prepped and resprayed the original Classic Cream yellow while the engine is out. But again, while that sounds great, it also sounds expensive.
Your plans for putting in A/C in your wagon sounds great and certainly ambitious. I'd love to have A/C in my wagon, but that is really beyond my comprehension. And really, about the only time that I would use it would be driving it to the Chrysler Nationals at Carlisle in early July when it is typically blazing hot. OY typically rides out all weather extremes chilling in it's garage.