May be giving up my wagon in frustration

Well, an early 70s Caprice wagon has always been my most desired and dream wagon, but I have become so frustrated I am thinking of giving mine up or trading it off. Going back, some of you know that I bought this car in 2007, but had been tried to purchase it from the old lady that had it since the year 2000. I paid a very pretty penny for it, then last fall paid a guy to put in a new camshaft and lifters. The car still dont run right and is low on power. He had misrouted vacuum lines, threw vac lines away, etc. We know thats part of the problem now, but my dad says he thinks he also has some of the valves too tight and some too loose, etc, causing the low power/rough running. I know its not things like plugs, plug wires, cap, rotor, etc, because we replaced all of that. We also set the timing, but its still low on power and runs rough IMO. I have been in contact with Chevy owners of this era and have got alot of different answers about what vacuum lines to and from the carburator go where. I am at a crossroads.

Thats just the beginning - I thought that $500 "repair" would be the end of my mechanical issues and I could move onto things like the rust around the lower 1/4s rear windows and spare tire well, then paint, but the saga goes on and its wearing me out. After working all day I just dont have the time or energy to do it - or the know-how really. I guess I could do the body work if I tried, but dont want to do it until I get it on the road.

My dad is a good old Chevy mechanic and said he would help me, but he is very busy with his business and really dont have time, nor do I want to bother anyone over it.

With that said, I am highly considering trading the car off for another older car thats "less desirable", but already road worthy. My first car was a 1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, so I would not mind trying to find a good 72-73 Sedan DeVille or a 71-72 Fleetwood Brougham, or even a 73-78 Country Squire wagon - OR another 71-73 Chevrolet Caprice wagon, 71-73 Grand Safari or a 71-73 Buick Estate Wagon.

True, my car needs some sort of fine tuning, but the frame, floors, rockers, etc are solid as rocks, the only rust is what was mentioned. The interior is excellent original and not even a crack on the dash and not one rip on the seat - none at all. Even the carpet is nice, save for where the drivers foot brushes across on entry. Also since my car is a big block car (factory) and has options like A/C, 3rd seat, tilt wheel, etc that it is probably worth something to someone else out there. I know it sure did to me and still does and I never thought I would sell or trade it, but I am tired out I guess. I am still not sure I want to do it, but I am almost at that point... very close.

Thanks for letting me rant.

 

Sounds like you need a fresh set of tools to get her running loud and proud. These might help:

http://www.vehicle-db.com/parts/search.pl?part=1972+Chevrolet+Manual

This one comes from that list, but the others might have more.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200333642673&viewitem=

 

i understand.

Man,

I got similar issues with my clamshell, except Id kill if someone tried to take iit. My first car was a 75 2 door 40,000 mile mint impala that i drove like the dukes of hazard. Memories..... Well now im 35 and a little more responsible and i got a wagon and a 4 door. Dude you and I are learning so much dealing with all this that one day when the cash flows we wont get ripped as we make our rides perfect. I am learning that the shade tree mechanics only waste my money. Some stuff I just dont want to fix myself for multiple reasons. Find an engine store in your area that does race engines. Find three, talk to them , take your car to them and see what they say. Go to one that has a warranty and been around for a while. Save up your money and get it done right. They are not going to make any more 72 kingswood estates anymore! I see you on these forums, your passionate. Stick it out dude. My 76 is 400 miles away (i moved)still at my friends house who ended up getting neck surgery before he was finished with my wagon, but im going to get it in a few weeks. I drive my 74 impala 45 miles to work, and it burns up tranny fluid like crazy and wont shift into third but its all good. hang in there bro

 

Sounds like you have a case of automotive "writers block". I know most of us have been there, when something in our cars sends us running around in circles and/or just making us go bonkers. Buying another car, might seem like the better idea at first but it can come with its own set of problems.

Since the car is solid otherwise and not a basket case, I wouldn't give up on it just yet. Just like tsynek had stated, find a speed shop or a place that has a great reputation in the area. There are a great number of people out there, that know these cars well and still take pride in their work. Just gota do your homework, save your money, and then when your ready, get the work done properly.

I am a Volvo mechanic by trade, been working on cars since I was 13. I quit working at Volvo in 2004 to go back to college, so now working on cars is just a hobby. I feel just fine working on my '78 Ford LTD or any other era car. However that may be, I still don't like getting into transmissions. I learned how to rebuild them at Wyo Tech, but I still feel I don't know enough about them to rebuild them.

So I sent my '78 LTD to a local trans shop here in the burbs of Chicago. I had my '77 trans rebuilt by this guy, so I know his work already. I got my wagon back yesterday morning. WOW WOW WOW, the guy is an artist in his own right. He rebuilt the FMX for a grand total of $850. It feels like how it was back in 1978, tight, quiet, and shifts like it should.

So don't give up on the wagon. If you sell it, there is a strong chance your going to go "why did I do that?" and clamshells are going to get even harder to find as time goes by.

 

I feel bad for you 72King. I really do. I just stated in another thread that "I hate crooks". Seems to be a lot of them in the mechanic trade. That's why my dad made money in the business. He was totally honest. He knew no other way. I don't mean to make an example of you King...but let this...PLEASE let this be a lesson to everyone out there. Don't take a cheap job from a nobody in the business! I've seen Epay engines for 11K that were junk. Seen people spend thousands and end up like King. What a damn shame. I really DO hate crooks! I don't know what you have had done to the engine, King, but it may be able to be saved. Even if it isn't...there are other engines that can be saved and built to perfection. What engine is it?
EDIT
Good advice, Jon.

 

Thanks for all of the replies... its a 402 big block and its the factory engine. I guess it could also be a carburator issue. If I just knew more about it, I would be better off. There are really no good shops around here that I know of that specialize in older cars.

Thing is I want to get this car on the road, but lack of knowledge, time and money are hampering it.

 

True and I have wanted a woodgrain clamshell wagon for years. I know I would probably regret selling it. The only good thing would be if I could trade it for another 71-73 GM clamshell wagon thats already road worthy. I doubt thats going to happen though. I once almost was going to trade it for a '73 Caprice Estate (wasnt a big block car though) that was in similiar condition, but I lost contact with the owner.

 

Think about it a little more, I have 2 "why did I do that?" no more cars...1 was/is my 80 Colony Park, at the time I said "we'll find another."..that was over 10 years ago and now on the third wagon since. Still no big Merc in my drive way

 

I thought about the carb right away but was under the impression that you had eliminated all exterior component problems. Could be a lot of things. 72King...there HAS to be a GOOD race engine guy around there SOMEwhere that could at least diagnose it for you. Forget older cars...a 402 is a 402. Find someone that builds Chevy's and it will lead you to a 402 freak. You need to find out the exact problem and what it will cost to fix it before making an emotional decision. Don't let that car go before you do this. Hey...why do you think the guy wanted to trade his smc for your bbc? duh! Things can be fixed. Get out of the emotion mode and get into the attack mode. C'mon, man...you can do this. SAVE that wagon!

 

You can't find any good ol' boys to work on it in TN, WOW!

I can't believe any decent machanic would let your wagon out the door unless it was running right!

If your having trouble finding a good machanic, just go to any local car shows and ask around, local car guys know the best machanics or can lead you in the right diirection.

I would look into putting a good used 350 in it or have the whole engine rebuilt by a professional.

If you don't have the money now, store the wagon properly and get it done later, don't sell it, you'll never find another one like it!

That's why I never did like big block Chevy motors, 396, 402, 454's, they never run right and suck gas!

I hope all goes well and if you do decide to sell it, please offer it here first OK.

Clark

PS: I had a 72 Malibu 350 Convertible years ago and burned some oil and just didn't want to rebuild it so I put a new GM Target Master 350 in it, boy that new motor ran smooth as silk!

 

Do you have a compression tester?

 

He says he doesn't have the know how!

Clark

 

Well what the heck do you think we're here for?

 

I went back and reread your original post, 72King. Are you saying that the $500 was for a rebuild or did the guy just install a new cam/lifters? I'm wondering if the cam is correct? Do you know the brand and lift/duration numbers on that cam? I will tell you that I never like to just put in a cam and lifters. It's cheaper but, since you have the engine open, I always recommend doing a complete number on it. I can assure you, if I had that engine in my buddy's shop you would never sell that wagon after dropping it back in there. Do a lot of asking around with the hot rod guys and racing guys...and, like Clark says, go to shows and meets. You will hear the same names come up and then ask questions. If you can have one of these guys diagnose the car, at least then you will know what you are looking at. If it was me, and I loved the wagon, I would simply pull the engine and do a rebuild with some performance additions. Engine and mechanical issues are the easiest part of owning old cars. All those problems can be fixed easily. I guarantee you, if you stick with this wagon and work on one issue at a time....ten years down the road YOU will be the guy in the car shows with your wagon and people will be wanting to buy it.

 

That's probably the best advice yet, Andy. But, like Clark, I'm not sure 72King has the know how or subsequent desire to plunge in himself. I suspect compression issues too but then what does he do if he finds out this is true? I still say, when it was torn down, it should have had a rebuild. BUT...by a qualified engine guy. I'm just not a believer in throwing piece meal parts at an old engine. Sure, we could walk him through any segments but by the time it's all said and done...well...may as well tear it down and do it right all the way. But...that may just be me.