- Joined
- Jun 14, 2019
- Messages
- 571
- Reaction score
- 174
- Location
- Coachella Valley (Palm Springs)
- My Car
- 1973 Convertible, 351 4v CJ, C6, Mach 1 Decor options, power: steering, brakes and windows, a/c, Rally Pac gauges, Deluxe interior.
[url=https://ibb.co/ZVjjKXW][img]https://i.ibb.co/zrMMbxG/s-l1600-2.jpg[/img][/url]
This is a bit of a ramble -- I'm just so thrilled my car is running (and running good!) it's hard to organize my thoughts around "What next?"
Actually, when the car came to me by carrier, the driver drove it off the truck and I drove it from the street to my driveway. That was the first time I drove it; today was the second. Now I need to figure out what next besides the obvious, and in what order.
Have replaced: timing chain, water pump, alternator, radiator, thermostat, fuel tank, sender, etc., battery and a rebuilt p/s pump. But I hit the wall trying to get it started again so I sent it to professionals (lol). Dang -- now it starts by just looking at the key (it seems). Hope that lasts.
But the first real drive, just a few miles because the tires are (very) old: the acceleration is *excellent*, mufflers have an awesome, deep rumble and brakes are good (good pedal response, no squeaks or pulling and they stop the car). Steering is well assisted but overall front suspension seems a little squishy and vague. Both front and rear seem to bounce a bit more than is normal. Transmission engages without issue, shifts normally, downshifts unnoticeable. All the gauges work. Tach, too!
The obvious: need a new top and tires. Tires are a conundrum because I don't plan to keep the current wheels (first choice is forged aluminum slot mags). And ultimately a paint job, but that has to wait until a visit to the body shop. Except for tires, I place all that in the appearance category, which is a lower priority than getting a safe, drivable & reliable vehicle.
All that aside, I am just so dang happy. And I couldn't think of anyone that would appreciate that more than y'all.
Actually, when the car came to me by carrier, the driver drove it off the truck and I drove it from the street to my driveway. That was the first time I drove it; today was the second. Now I need to figure out what next besides the obvious, and in what order.
Have replaced: timing chain, water pump, alternator, radiator, thermostat, fuel tank, sender, etc., battery and a rebuilt p/s pump. But I hit the wall trying to get it started again so I sent it to professionals (lol). Dang -- now it starts by just looking at the key (it seems). Hope that lasts.
But the first real drive, just a few miles because the tires are (very) old: the acceleration is *excellent*, mufflers have an awesome, deep rumble and brakes are good (good pedal response, no squeaks or pulling and they stop the car). Steering is well assisted but overall front suspension seems a little squishy and vague. Both front and rear seem to bounce a bit more than is normal. Transmission engages without issue, shifts normally, downshifts unnoticeable. All the gauges work. Tach, too!
The obvious: need a new top and tires. Tires are a conundrum because I don't plan to keep the current wheels (first choice is forged aluminum slot mags). And ultimately a paint job, but that has to wait until a visit to the body shop. Except for tires, I place all that in the appearance category, which is a lower priority than getting a safe, drivable & reliable vehicle.
All that aside, I am just so dang happy. And I couldn't think of anyone that would appreciate that more than y'all.
