Giving up the wagon! Going to trade for a Cadillac (try)

Thanks. Well it only did it that one time when I pulled from a stop, but even when I pulled it to low, it was still underpowered and would not pull the hill.

Andy - no I havent tried seafoam in the fuel.

The car dont smoke at all, so I never thought about rings or valve seals.

 

Going to try one last thing... going to rebuild the carburator tomorrow evening or Friday. The car seems to splutter and when I come to a fast stop, it will occasionally go to a low idle. It also seems to be burning rich and will huff out black smoke if you rev it a little if you let it idle for more than 30 seconds. I think the carburator is in need of a rebuild. Remember this car has set for years. Someone told me a bad carb will cause low power.

Moved the car about more today on the driveway/lawn and it pulled that grade, but it took alot more acceleration than my other cars do. Also, when I stopped once at the bottom, it acted like it was stuck in 2nd gear again. I have already changed the fluid and filter... perhaps the car just needs to be driven.

I guess I will know more when we rebuild the carburator and see if it has more power... then maybe get it on the road.

Also, it has a pretty bad exhaust leak... one is toward where the front floors are... someone said that could also cause the power to be a little low... something about no backpressure to the valves???

I will update as I know more. This is it. If this dont resolve the issues, I am giving up, because I dont know what else to do. If thats the case, if anyone knows anyone with another old station wagon (another 71-73 Kingswood/Caprice Estate / Grand Safari, Buick Estate Wagon or perhaps a 73-74 Country Squire wagon) in good running shape, I will consider trading this car for one. I think a good trade-off for a good running wagon would be this big block wagon?? Hopefully someone with more knowledge will know more about it, because its sure been a mystery to me!

 

Sounds like a plan.

 

With a v8 engine power loss is hardly noticible with an exhaust leak...

 

Thanks Rob. I didnt think so either. It just makes it sound bad I think. All of that lugging sound.

Carb rebuild sometime within the next 2 days and see what happens!

 

Tony, Your old Chevytalk buddy here. If you could get the car up here to Virginia, a friend of mine is an old time Chevy mechanic. He can fix anything or will at least let you know what it is. He is also very reasonable and loves to work on old Chevys. I usually do all my own work, but when my son's '72 Kingswood (you remember that car) broke a timing chain, I had it towed to his place and we fixed it together there.

Big Blocks can have their faults and they can give you trouble, but when they run good they're great. I had a newly rebuilt '67 396 in a '62 Impala. It had a 375 HP Solid Lifter Cam, Edlebrock Hi-Rise Manifold, 750 Holley Carb and Hooker Headers. I didn't have it real long (ran short of money back then) but it was one of the best running engines I ever had, as well as plenty powerful.

I only read thru this thread quick, but I'm going to say that either the cam was possibly installed wrong or more than likely the Distributor is in wrong. After you rebuild the carb, let us know and we can go over the details of re-installing the Distributor.

Bill

 

Hi Bill... thanks. I got your PM and saw this, but have not been on here lately - been so busy. Yeah, this car has really had my pulling my hair out. I cant believe I am having all of these issues. I paid alot of money for this car (not knowing of the engine issues and had) it in my head all I would have to do is fix the minor rust (which has gotten worse) and paint it.... then I thought with the new cam and lifters all would be OK as it was when I did this to my '69 Caprice - but the Caprice had a knock and I THINK it was low on power too until I rebuilt the carburator. That was only 4 years ago, but my memory is failing me. I do remember something was going on with the carburator or low power or something.

Its on the dockett to remove the carburator. I have not had a chance yet. My dad said if I remove it, he will rebuild it. I already have the kit. Hopefully Thursday evening I can get it off of there and I am off on Friday, so maybe I can get it back on that day or Sunday at the latest.

I HOPE that is my issue. As mentioned, we have set the timing perfectly according to the light and have the dwell set too. I have also installed new spark plugs and have them gapped correctly this time.

I am now up to nearly $5000.00 invested in this car and still cant drive it, so I am sure many can understand my frustration. If it was a nice perfect body, it may be worth it, but its not and with the engine issues too. IF I get it running right, then its off to get the chrome removed and start sanding on the body. I also have a very leaky windshield and cargo side windows... they gotta come out and be resealed. Probably rust under there too. I may get my moms cousin (owns a body shop) to do this. I have to keep the car covered all of the time, because if it rains its like a waterfall inside the car and I dont want it to rust out the floors, because they are still perfect.

If not, I know someone locally that has a nice 1973 Chevy Caprice 4dr hardtop that they are wanting to trade for it.... its tempting for sure. Also know of someone with a 1971 Cadillac Fleetwood 4dr that I might can trade for. I love this wagon and I love wagons and I prefer to stay with a wagon. If I dont get it running and just give up, I am going to try my best to stay with a wagon and try to find another clamshell wagon fan and maybe trade it for another 71-73 Caprice wagon, or maybe something like a 71-73 Grand Safari, Buick Estate Wagon or even a 73-78 Country Squire... already good running, but maybe needing more body work or something or a nice trade-off for a small block Caprice wagon for my big block. ??

HOPEFULLY the carb rebuild will work. I will report back ASAP.

Thanks again!

 

Carburator finally off! I took it off this evening! If I had of known it was that easy to remove, I would have done it days ago. lol.

Hopefully will get it rebuilt tomorrow and back on and SO HOPING that will have been my low power issue.

 

My wagon started running bad again I messed with the fuel mixture screws and it improved a little, but it still dies on me at idle sometimes. Also hard to start now. Also had mechanic install new fan clutch. I put a new battery in and am hoping my new mechanic here in Houston is good. I am following his advise. He wants to pull the carb off today, said something about a leak around baseplate mabey. He seems like an honest guy with a busy little shop. He said he wasnt going to charge me labor because I already paid him $500 to "tune up", put new ac condensor in and rebuild compressor. I told him I dont want to do that , and I would rather he work on it in a timely manner and charge me. He was working slow with the "free labor" method. Anyway kingswood, I feel your pain. Mabey one day we will meet at the "American Clamshell Meet" (still in the idea stage) and race each others $20,000 clamshells. hahaha. I like to work on them but i have a pregnant wife, toddler and I work all the time. So I know when I tear something apart there is A good chance it may not run again for a while.......Good luck on your carb rebuild, Im sending positive juju to you from Texas!

 

A complete lack of power across the power band sounds like a crushed exhaust pipe! If it idles and starts just fine (which you say it does), I'm betting $$$ that you have a severely crimped exhaust pipe or tailpipe, or an internally collapsed muffler. You have a catalytic converter, too,, so that might be clogged.

In any case, check your exhaust system, front to back.

 

Thanks! Hopefully you will get yours back in good running condition too.

Dad rebuilt the car today, but by the time I got home from work and fixed me some dinner and ate, it was getting too dark. I will out it back on tomorrow and go from there.

Not sure if you was telling this to me or Patrick, but I have checked my exhaust... its completely free flowing. Also, my car was made in December of 1971, so it dont have a converter. Pats is a 1976, which did have a converter, so you may have been referring to him.

I dont think these cars had them until 1974 or 1975. At least on non-Cali cars they didnt have them until then.

I will report more tomorrow or Wednesday when get the carburator back on.

 

Wow! It's taking me months!! And your Dad can do it in a day....

 

It's a Car B body.

 

It was directed more toward 72, but I was speaking to both, with the converter comment was to you. Sorry if I wasn't real clear on that!

 

Thats OK. I see. Well to answer, nope my car dont have a converter... I dont think in this part of the country they didnt have them until 1975 on most cars. No pre-1975 cars I have ever owned has had a catalytic converter.

Is there any area of the country where cars had converters before 1975? Or any car in particular before '75 with a converter?

I will report back ASAP when I get the carb back on and able drive it in the neighborhood some. May be Wednesday evening though. Hoping that was the issue. The carb was in bad shape... the gaskets had hardened and my dad said the pump basically fell into pieces when removed. Base plate was a hard as a brick. It was definitely ready for rebuild whether this was the low power issue or not.

Thanks.