VIN 4519: 14-year "garage find"

[Rich_NYS]

I brought 4519 home today; it's a very nice condition non-runner, was "running when parked" ~14 years ago.

Oct. '81 build
Grey interior
Grooved hood
25,362 (I believe) original miles
Three(?) owners
Always garaged, and appears well cared-for.


I began the purchasing process in October; the PO is a really nice older guy and we have become friends. I hope to return for a visit someday and take him for a ride. I intend to put this car on the road and sell 4728.

Here is an Andrew-style list of the good, bad, and ugly...

The Good:

The stainless: close to #1 condition
The interior: close to #1 condition
"Always garaged"
Binnacle and dash are in perfect condition
Miles appear to be original at 25,362
Original trip reset is still intact
Fascias are very straight
Haven't yet found a rodent nest
Solid frame
Engine turns freely by hand
OEM fuse box has no melted positions
OEM Craig radio
Sunshade louvre is in perfect condition
It appears the roofbox is secure
Small stash of parts



The Bad:

It's dirty/dusty
Engine cover stay is broken
Leaking steering rack
A few areas of surface rust on the frame
Passenger side tow loop broken-off
Sagging headliners
Needs tires
Needs a few lugnuts replaced
Antenna doesn't work
Hood release is wonky
Original coolant bottle
Door lights and one taillight doesn't work
Steering column canopy needs a threaded insert replaced
Needs a lift piston set
Steering wheel and hazard switch are upside down


The Ugly:

Needs a fuel system rebuild, and smells like bad gas
Brake & clutch hydraulics need rebuilding


ICYMI...In my other thread I mentioned Jimmy sent me his working K-Jet parts, so that should put me miles ahead since it appears the running issue is fuel-related. Thanks again Jimmy!

[Rich_NYS]

"Day 1 pics:"

(The "line" on the binnacle is something on my lens.)

[Michael]

If it was running when parked then it's just ran out of gas. Put some gas in it and enjoy!

[Rich_NYS]

If it was running when parked then it's just ran out of gas. Pit some gas in it and enjoy!

LOL...right on, brother!

[powerline84]

No problem Rich glad to help. I'll get the other 2 fuel lines out to you this weekend hopefully

[Domi]

Congratulation on your purchase

[Rich_NYS]

Today I was fortunate to have nice weather: sunny and high 40's. I really wanted to wash the car, but since it's a non-runner and my driveway is a small hill, it's not a good situation.

I came up with an idea that worked: I rolled the car out of my garage to wash it, and used a "come long" winch to pull it back uphill and into my garage when I was done.

The first wash is really satisfying. I can't do much with my arm in a sling, but getting the car clean felt very productive. My 11-year old daughter helped me wash it, and took charge of winching the car back into the garage. She had mentioned wanting to participate in the restoration, so she was pretty jazzed to have an important job on day one.

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[Rich_NYS]

I'll try both; the potentiometers, and the wiring. If I'm able to get into the speaker wiring with some help from my daughter, I'll try swapping things around to trouble isolate.

[Rich_NYS]

I cleaning the tank; it wasn't too bad, and my daughter helped me with the parts I couldn't reach left-handed.

I pumped out the fuel and removed the baffle assembly:

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Wiped with rags without using cleaner:

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2-3 rounds of acetone with rags:

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The vent tube moves around, but doesn't come out, I'm wondering if I need to do something about that. It's also a little cruddy on the end, I'll clean it if I can reach it.

[Rich_NYS]

Made some progress today:

-Installed a Tahoe pump (thanks Chris.)
-Diagnosed no power to the pump (failed RPM relay.)
-Tested the fuel system.

Four injectors are bad, but the fuel distributor appears to be ok. I swapped the two good injectors with the four bad ones, jumped the RPM relay, and tested the spray pattern on all lines....seems to be ok.

After working on a carbed car for the past few years, I got spoiled. Removing the injectors was a PITA.

Jimmy (2706) sent me his Kjet parts; I'm going to start replacing parts, then hope to attempt a "first fire" this week. At this time, I'm pretty hopeful the non-running issue is due to the two things I found today.