Just wondering

Hi all, In one of the other forums I belong to, has pages that are divided by state. Say where all the Oregon people can ask questions or for help from other locals or what they think about local shops. Does this forum have that also and im just missing it? If not then would anyone be interested in something like that?

 

These forums are not set up that way. I would be interested in seeing how the other forum that you mentioned does this. Could you please post a link to that forum, or send me a private message with the link?

Thanks Junk

 

http://forums.evolutionm.net/us-regional-forums-53/


So this is the other forum I belong to. Its www.evolutionm.net. They break theirs in to regions.

 

I've been on a couple other forums that do that. Kinda of hit-and-miss. Some regional areas get some action. Others, not so much.

I don't think we really need that here.
Do you need some help?

There is a Northwest Longroofs Facebook page / membership, based out of Salem. Will that do?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/471623039622456/

Marshall
Springfield, OR

 

So to make the story short. I bought my wagon a few months back, my best friend and brother (who was a mini truck builder) who was going to help me do all the work on her passed away a month ago. Now I have my wagon that I love more anything that needs so much work and I have no one to guide me on this journey. When I had my Mitsu I found all sorts of help and made many friends from that forum. But since this is so new to me and have no friends or family that are in to cars. Im just feeling really lost right now.

 

And as for the facebook page every time I click that link it tells me it is unavailable.

 

You should find lots of helpful folk here. Let us know more about your baby.

mike

 

You have to send a message to the admin. asking for permission to join.

Per instructions, send an e-mail to:

Woody Widness: woodna12@comcast.net for more info.

I'd also suggest joining a forum specific to those Aspen / Volare' models. This is one I know of: (Most of the member have older Dodge Darts, Plymouth Valiants and Barracudas, but they all are based on Chrysler's 'A-Body')

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/

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Going a bit deeper, what are your immediate issues on the Volare'? Tell us what kind of shape it's in - what works and what doesn't, and what your short-term goals are, and maybe we can give you some guidance.

Marshall

 

Right now my immediate issues are leaks in the floor. Oregon does not get dry till end of June. I have ripped out most of the carpet and I will pull the rest when we get another round of nice weather. I would like to get the back open but the owner before me broke off a key in the lock. So it is jammed. Also there is a spot that leaks from what im thinking down the fire wall into the car on the passenger front floor.

As of right now she is running pretty well, I had the Carb rebuilt, new break booster, radiator and some other stuff done and I drive her daily.

One of the things that does not work are my gauges. That is driving me crazy.

Im just feeling way over my head and lost right about now.

 

Go through your fuse box and make sure you don't have corrosion from the moisture. My '79 Ranchero had that problem, so I spent a couple hours with the battery disconnected, brushing the contacts down to bare metal and carefully bending them in toward each other on each end to hold the fuses more firmly and haven't had a problem since. Now, some thing you need another person to help you don't need to know how to work on cars; that leak you can have someone play a garden hose on that corner, and you look to see where the water's coming from under the dash.

 

And as for 'way over my head and lost,' this would be the time to start a notebook with the items you need to do and what you want to do. Call some locksmiths to see if the broken key can be pulled and a skeleton key used to open the hatch and get the lock cylinder out to make a new key or replace the lock cylinder, whichever is needed. There are things to do that you can do yourself. Wash and polish the paint for now. Clean the interior panels, dash and pad, seats, etc. There are things you can do, and when you have questions, just ask us. Remember, opinions are like @$$holes...everybody's got one, and they all smell.

 

Make yourself a priority list.
So the main issues we have so far are:
- Leaks in the floor
- Broken liftgate lock
- Possible cowl leak / heater core issues
- Inoperative gauges

This is your priority list:
1. Gauges - you've got to know what's going on with your wagon
2. Broken liftgate lock (I put this #2 because it should be a fairly easy fix)
3. Cowl leak / possible heater core issues
4. Leaks in floor.

One suggestion: if you have holes in your floor, you should try to put temporary patches over them until you can get to the actual repair. Use duct tape or metal tape that seals vent pipes (Home improvement store). If holes are big, find a flat piece of scrap metal to cover it and tape it down. You don't want exhaust fumes, etc. coming into the passenger compartment.

1. Gauges. Sorry, I can't be of much help here, because I'm not real good at automotive electrics. First thing to do is check the fuses. You will probably have to locate a wiring diagram and get a voltage / amperage tester to see if there is power to the correct wires. This might be a job for an auto electric shop, who may be able to fix it fairly easily. Does it look like the former owner(s) messed with the wiring? Check under the dash. Any wires that look 'added'?

2. Lock. The liftgate would have an access panel on the inside that should unscrew. That should allow you to get to the lock cylinder. You'll have to replace it, then get a locksmith to re-key the new one. Might have to source one used. Good source for older Chrysler Corp parts in your area is about 40 miles from you in Sandy - Wildcat Auto Wrecking.

3. You 'firewall leaking' is probably one of two possible issues. The most probably is a leaking (rusted out) heater core. Are you having issues with the heater (doesn't heat?). Replacing the heater core is a big job, but it can be done. You can probably find an aftermarket core on the internet. (Just did a E-bay search. As low as $40, + shipping) . DO NOT go 'used' on this. You'll end up a few months down the road with the same issue.

If it's not the heater core, it could be clogged cowl drain tubes. You see those vent holes at the base of your windshield? That's the air inlet for the fresh air in the wagon's heater / AC system. But rain gets down there as well, right? The rain water ends up in drain tubes on wither side of the cowl. Occasionally, these drain tubes get clogged, resulting in water accumulating in the cowl, where it will eventually find its way inside the passenger compartment. You clean the drain tubes with a wire and/or compressed air blown through them.

4. Leaks in floor. If this is a separate issue from the firewall leaking, then you've got rust-through in your floorpan. This one will require someone experienced, as you have to weld in replacement patch panels. If you have welding experience, then you can do it.

Marshall

 

Feeling over your head can be very over whelming. These folks will guide you one step at a time. Try not to look at the entire project, just take it one project at a time. With the guidance of SWF family and your other forum members you'll get through all these issues soon.
Hang in there we'll help you the best we can.

 

Thank you, I will do the fuse box tomorrow. I think I can handle that. Thank you for your help.

 

Thank you for all your help. I really appreciate it.