Newbie here

[TheWagoon]

Welcome to the forum Mr Wagoon. We all started somewhere & 40 years later we got cool cars. So it doesn't happen over night. Part of this car thing is having something few other have. The other up side is they will keep ya out of the bars as heavy drugs Including lots of alcohol will be out of the budget. As you will have resto parts & young woman on your mind. Good luck Ole' Bob.

Oh yes. I do well know that it'll take time but isn't that the best part. By chance do you know of anyone on here or any links to Gauge related problems. I know that is a very vague. In my wagon I have the Fuel, Battery, Oil Choke, and Tempurature gauge but there are three problems.
Only the fuel gauge has a needle, and the other three just have a light? The manual I got from ebay says nothing about the gauges having no needle.

 

[Texas82GP]

Oh yes. I do well know that it'll take time but isn't that the best part. By chance do you know of anyone on here or any links to Gauge related problems. I know that is a very vague. In my wagon I have the Fuel, Battery, Oil Choke, and Tempurature gauge but there are three problems.
Only the fuel gauge has a needle, and the other three just have a light? The manual I got from ebay says nothing about the gauges having no needle.

Those aren't guages. They are 'warning lights' often referred to in the past as 'idiot lights'. They only illuminate when you turn the key on (bulb test) or when there is a problem (battery not charging, engine overheating or low oil pressure). It is possible to swap to factory gauges but you would need to source a gauge cluster. Since you are new I wouldn't recommend that project right now. I would recommend you just focus on routine maintenance and minor repairs to get your car operating in good, original condition. Consider buying an owner's manual for your car on ebay to help familiarize yourself with it.

 

[Longroof79]

You can purchase a readily available Haynes manual which covers '69 thru '87 Malibu, El Camino. It's not quite as good as a comprehensive factory shop manual, but it does have several pages of helpful wiring diagrams and general information.
It's not a bad book if you have nothing else to rely on.

 

[Texas82GP]

I haven't opened a Haynes or Chilton manual in years, but back then, they were a little more user friendly compared to the factory service manual for basic maintenance/repairs. It would be a good thing to have both.

 

[Longroof79]

Jared,
I bought the Haynes book primarily for the wiring diagrams...and some torque specs, etc..
I also picked up another manual ...a Clymer. It's not as good as the Haynes book, but the way I look at it, you can never have too much information.

 

[TheWagoon]

Those aren't guages. They are 'warning lights' often referred to in the past as 'idiot lights'. They only illuminate when you turn the key on (bulb test) or when there is a problem (battery not charging, engine overheating or low oil pressure). It is possible to swap to factory gauges but you would need to source a gauge cluster. Since you are new I wouldn't recommend that project right now. I would recommend you just focus on routine maintenance and minor repairs to get your car operating in good, original condition. Consider buying an owner's manual for your car on ebay to help familiarize yourself with it.

Alright, yeah I was thinking about stuff like that. I did get a Manual from ebay and have been reading it often to familiarize myself. After I return from my roadtrip, I need to find a new job.Currently I'm working on Sound System & Brakes (although my 2 ton hydraulic jack seems not to lift my wagon 🙁) If its not a bother, how would the it detect engine overheating/oil pressure? I can understand the Battery no charging.

 

[ed1948]

Hello to the site.
The problem with idiot lights is they tell you there is a problem 'after' the problem has occurred.

 

[Blake B]

I like that you're heading into uncharted waters and wanting to learn. Something I did when I was new to cars, go to car shows. Whether they be for imports or domestics and pick ppls brain. Make a few new friends. Car guys are always willing to shed knowledge. Find a couple of guys you can call/text for questions or to lend a hand/wrench. Like the other guys said. Start with the basics, Google and YouTube all the things (doesn't have to be wagon specific).

 

[TheWagoon]

I like that you're heading into uncharted waters and wanting to learn. Something I did when I was new to cars, go to car shows. Whether they be for imports or domestics and pick ppls brain. Make a few new friends. Car guys are always willing to shed knowledge. Find a couple of guys you can call/text for questions or to lend a hand/wrench. Like the other guys said. Start with the basics, Google and YouTube all the things (doesn't have to be wagon specific).

Many of my existing friends are quite into car themselves but they don't particularly like to help me in any physical way. They will happily answer all my question though. I've gone to the car show(s) here in my hometown every year. there is even a small car group mostly teenagers of my age or younger but most them give me the "Are you stupid look" when I ask them about something. Although at car shows 90% of the people there are actually helpful.

 

[87 elcojoe]

Welcome wagoon, cool wagon . I believe that this forum has most of the answers you will ever need . And like others have said, get your ride safe and road worthy , then make it pretty while you drive it .good luck with your ride