New from Mississippi

[MadBrax]

Hi, I'm Braxton. I just purchased a near perfect 1980 Malibu wagon from a really nice guy in Flint, MI. It's white and has a Scooby doo theme going on. I had a 78 coupe many years ago and I loved it. I went on the Hot Rod Power Tour this year in a 2005 Pontiac GTO and I loved it but the wagons were unbelievably popular and I just had to have one so here it is. It's not a stock drivetrain, I was told it's a 406 and I don't know much about it so if anyone recognizes this car please let me know. I need to re-install the air conditioner system for the climate I live in and for the 2019 Power Tour.

 

[xxBLOOD88SHOTxx]

Welcome! What part of MS?

 

[MadBrax]

Southaven. Top of the state...

 

[xxBLOOD88SHOTxx]

Nice. I lived in Olive Branch for 5 years. Wagon looks dope.

 

[MadBrax]

Thanks, It's ridiculously clean.

 

[SoFloG]

Welcome! Make sure you check the water in the radiator.

 

[Longroof79]

Welcome aboard Brax!
Looks like a nice clean wagon. Always good to see another wagon joining our ranks.
Other than driving it, what plans do you have for it?

 

[My86R3gal]

Welcome and wagon looks amazing!

 

[MadBrax]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Besides making sure there is water in the radiator, I guess I'll be pulling the engine to re-seal the lower end. About 60 miles into my nearly 800 mile drive the rear main seal started leaking, it was losing about a quart every 100 miles or so.. Made a really big mess of the back window and gate. After that I'm going to either re-gear the rear end or see if I can replace the TH350 with a 4 speed auto. It currently has a 3:46-ish rear gear and that is a bit much for highway cruising with a 3 speed transmission. I need it to be reasonable for the power tour next year. And of course as I said before, re-install the a/c..

 

[Longroof79]

Yeah, doing any kind of highway driving with a 3-spd and 3,42 gears is going to be annoying as all hell. I've been there before. At least now, still using the TH350, I'm using 3.08 gears which makes it a bit more tolerable at highway speed. An OD trans is in the cards for me as well.
Hope you're able to take care of the leaks without too much trouble.