Rustyroger
Well-Known Member
I hauled my 1984 Fifth Avenue home a couple of days ago, a non runner with good paint.
To get it off the trailer some basic faultfinding found a bad coil. Remarkably, a local auto parts store had a suitable replacement - I'm in the UK - so I was able to get it unloaded and parked in my driveway.
Pouring some water into the radiator quickly established a freeze plug either missing or leaking at the back of the engine, well the exhaust manifold gaskets are shot, as I suspect is the rest of the exhaust, so the engine is coming out to fix both issues.
While it's out the radiator is getting a new core, and a transmission cooler is going in when it's put back together. The car will be hauling our travel trailer, I always do this with any car I use for towing.
All the wheels are coming off to examine the brakes, suspension joints, and wheel bearings.
It needs a headliner and trim refitting round the windshield.
All the above I knew of when I bought the car.
The heater fan and A/C don't work, the power drivers seat doesn't go backwards, and I dare say other electrical gremlins will come to light, I'm not surprised by any of this.
Most annoying, the rear passenger side door interior handle is missing, the pop-up lock has disappeared into the door and it is locked, might be a headache to sort this out.
I suspect I will be seeking help and advice from you guys in the near future, I know my way around cars, but I'm not familiar with any pitfalls or simplifed ways of tackling seemingly difficult tasks pertinent to this car.
Roger.
To get it off the trailer some basic faultfinding found a bad coil. Remarkably, a local auto parts store had a suitable replacement - I'm in the UK - so I was able to get it unloaded and parked in my driveway.
Pouring some water into the radiator quickly established a freeze plug either missing or leaking at the back of the engine, well the exhaust manifold gaskets are shot, as I suspect is the rest of the exhaust, so the engine is coming out to fix both issues.
While it's out the radiator is getting a new core, and a transmission cooler is going in when it's put back together. The car will be hauling our travel trailer, I always do this with any car I use for towing.
All the wheels are coming off to examine the brakes, suspension joints, and wheel bearings.
It needs a headliner and trim refitting round the windshield.
All the above I knew of when I bought the car.
The heater fan and A/C don't work, the power drivers seat doesn't go backwards, and I dare say other electrical gremlins will come to light, I'm not surprised by any of this.
Most annoying, the rear passenger side door interior handle is missing, the pop-up lock has disappeared into the door and it is locked, might be a headache to sort this out.
I suspect I will be seeking help and advice from you guys in the near future, I know my way around cars, but I'm not familiar with any pitfalls or simplifed ways of tackling seemingly difficult tasks pertinent to this car.
Roger.