Looking for help on buying a Monte Carlo 78
- Thread starter WBLSS
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Yeah I can see that in the pics but that can always be done down the road if I can get it running
As most have mention check the frame rails, driver side have a really good look from in front of the rear tire to the bumper, seen a few rusted out in front of rear tire. Also see more than a few behind the rear tire.
Also has been mention get down an dirty and check underneath the floor panels
As it hasn't been started for 10 years an if your going to try to start it, the gas lines an tank are going to have garbage in it, but if you put a little gas down carb it may fire.
If you buy it and once you get it home change the fluids, normal oil only has a life of 6 months before it starts to break down. Water/Antifreeze is just going to be terrible so dump it an even throw water in it to flush it.
Gas tank will have to be dropped an flush as well as flush gas lines. Carb maybe OK but if not a quick rebuilt will get it working.
So check frame , check floors, general check of fluids, check oil to see if water is in it, light brown slug on dipstick or filler cap, l always taste the oil, taste burn or gas.
Take rad cap off look for oil film in the neck of rad, oil bad ! Pull transmission dipstick check for burn smell or taste, just saying.
For $1000 bucks hard to go wrong if frame an floors are good even if engine an transmission is toast. If everything looks good you hit the jackpot, pay the $1000 an get it home fast !!
Also has been mention get down an dirty and check underneath the floor panels
As it hasn't been started for 10 years an if your going to try to start it, the gas lines an tank are going to have garbage in it, but if you put a little gas down carb it may fire.
If you buy it and once you get it home change the fluids, normal oil only has a life of 6 months before it starts to break down. Water/Antifreeze is just going to be terrible so dump it an even throw water in it to flush it.
Gas tank will have to be dropped an flush as well as flush gas lines. Carb maybe OK but if not a quick rebuilt will get it working.
So check frame , check floors, general check of fluids, check oil to see if water is in it, light brown slug on dipstick or filler cap, l always taste the oil, taste burn or gas.
Take rad cap off look for oil film in the neck of rad, oil bad ! Pull transmission dipstick check for burn smell or taste, just saying.
For $1000 bucks hard to go wrong if frame an floors are good even if engine an transmission is toast. If everything looks good you hit the jackpot, pay the $1000 an get it home fast !!
Before you try to start it I would remove the plugs put some ATF in the cylinder and let that sit for a day. I would turn it over by hand before I turned it with the starter motor. Once that is done I would remove the pink power wire to the distributor so you get that dried engine lubricated and to build up oil pressure
Time for a reality check before you proceed any further. I hope not to discourage you.
-do you have the facilities to store and properly work on the car?
-do you have the mechanical ambition to diy or the cash to have work done for you?
-how tolerant are you to the mechanical quirks an old neglected vehicle could present?
-do you want a nice beater to drive or a future toy that needs to be fed with money, parts and time?
-do you have the time and dedication to jump in to a project with both feet?
-any issue that looks like it will take a dollar and 10 minutes to fix can multiply 10X your original estimate to do it right..
Use a camera with flash and take lots of under body pics of the footwell areas *front and rear seat*, *ahead and behind the rear axle* and post your results here.
Spend lots of time researching forum members restoration projects.
-do you have the facilities to store and properly work on the car?
-do you have the mechanical ambition to diy or the cash to have work done for you?
-how tolerant are you to the mechanical quirks an old neglected vehicle could present?
-do you want a nice beater to drive or a future toy that needs to be fed with money, parts and time?
-do you have the time and dedication to jump in to a project with both feet?
-any issue that looks like it will take a dollar and 10 minutes to fix can multiply 10X your original estimate to do it right..
Use a camera with flash and take lots of under body pics of the footwell areas *front and rear seat*, *ahead and behind the rear axle* and post your results here.
Spend lots of time researching forum members restoration projects.
First one ive seen besides mine with blue interior if you dont want it ill take the guys number id buy it for just the front seat dash and passenger front fender probably steering column too if its tilt! Lots of parts im looking for on there so if you buy and decide to sell keep me in mind
Sounds similiar to how i got mine however look at everything bring up any concerns and haggle but dont open with "whats your bottom dollar" all that does is piss off the seller
OK I went and seen it took a lot of pics didn't start it at all not when the owner was not around. Body looks in really good condition, inside looks like it will all need to be re-done.
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