Drivability Question

Hey All,
I am buying a 1973 Ford country sedan wagon that has been driven periodically over the last couple years. It starts, runs, drives, and has no known issues at this time.

I am on a limited time schedule when I pick it up, and am planning on driving it back home once I get it.

Basically I would like a quick checklist of things I should have with me when I pick it up, tool-wise and spare parts.
I also have no experience with Ford cars. Anything in particular I should be looking at/for when I get it? Any certain problem areas to be concerned with?

I'm planning on having my tools, and will be checking hoses, belts, fluids, tires and brakes.

Thanks all!

Dave

 

On a reliable 41 year old Ford???

Maybe a gas can, set of plugs, water pump, a jug of water, and some tranny fluid, some 8-track tapes. AND a camera!

Have a safe trouble-free trip.

 

I don't know which engine it has yet, but I hope to know that soon.

 

How far are you driving it for starters? Tires and there condition would be a concern for one thing.

Sorry but I have to ask and not being a smart @zz..... Your buying it and you don't know what engine it has?:confused: Isn't that one of the first questions you ask a seller?

 

I suggest a good GPS and the addresses of auto parts stores along your route.

You can't take everything. A toolbox for sure. Check the basics (brakes, belts, hoses, etc.) when you get the car, and if anything looks suspect, take the car over to an auto parts store as your first stop and get some extras of these. If the brakes are suspect and you're far from home, head to the nearest Midas or Firestone or something and get the brakes in good working order. Check the tires, and if they're old and/or worn, get some new ones while you're at Firestone getting the brakes fixed.

As Fat Tedy says, how far are you driving this? If it's less than 100 miles, I wouldn't do anything except have my wife's or the AAA's phone number handy and make sure my cell phone is fully charged. If it's 500 or 1000 miles, then, yes, getting at least somewhat prepared ahead of time is a good idea.

 

I need to drive it about 600 miles. The first day I'm only going about 150 miles to my brother's house, so I figure it something is going to go wrong, it will be that first day.

As to the engine, you don't look a gift horse in the mouth, and Boy Oh Boy is this a gift horse!

 

Even for a 150 mile trip, when you haven't actually driven it, you should trailer it home. Any breakdown's gonna sink you, not to mention if you get in an accident with a sub-par vehicle. Since you're obviously gonna drive it, does your brother have a jack, stands, tools , etc. for the two of you to work on it? And unless it was converted to Duraspark electronic ignition, you'll definitely need a set of points with condenser and a .016 gap tool to set basic gap if you have to change them. It ideally should have the dwell checked, as a change in dwell makes a change in timing. I have Chilton's professional manuals if you need tune-up info. Just PM me your phone number and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. I'm on-line several times a day.

 

About two years ago my dad and I took a 550 mile road trip to check out a Corvair van. The elderly owner said the van ran great but wasn't driven much over the prior five years. We just didn't know what to expect once we arrived. Anyway, I ended up packing a full toolbox, a battery jumper box, phone numbers to several knowledgeable Corvair guys but most importantly I upped my Hagerty insurance coverage to include 150 miles of towing. I figured if needed, I would get the van towed to a recommended Corvair guy for repairs or just get it towed 150 miles closer to home. I remember giving a sigh of relief once we got to within 150 miles from home.

Anyway, consider towing coverage as an additional tool in your toolbox, should you need it.

Chris

 

If it's been sitting a lot, the 2 main areas where you could have trouble are:

1. Fuel system - bad gas in tank, etc. If this is an issue, you may need to hook up a new fuel filter.

2. Vacuum hoses. They are liable to be leaks all over the place. Might be a good idea to maybe buy a few feet of hose in the right sizes just in case.

That reminds me. I should check mine!

 

The transmission fluid to take is Type-F, as both the transmission and power steering use that. Aside from the basics of belts and hoses, these cars are pretty reliable. Old gas is likely the biggest headache, and these days, that means 6 months or so without stabilizer in it. Check the tires for age as well as condition. It is not uncommon for a very low mileage car to have tires that are 10 or more years old, and they simply will not have the grip you need. They may also be flat-spotted. Basically, just check everything, do a basic maintenance oil lube and filter, and see how she runs. Sounds like a GREAT car to have.

 

Flat spots or grip are not the real concern about modern radial tires. My flatbed trailer was stored in a shady spot, on jack stands, with wood around the tires for protection. Tires were 20+ years old but looked like new. A few cars we moved lately also had tires with little wear and looked decent.
None lasted more than 25-100 miles before the tread peeled off. Modern tires are only good for an estimated seven years then they deteriorate.
Ain't that great? I've had old Model A's and Model T's with bias tires from many years ago that we drove to car shows and cruises. My 1939 Ford sat for 15+ years on new old bias tires and old gas. Started right up and drove it on a trailer to move to Florida.
I'd say #1 is a good set of newer tires. #2 check the fuel lines and replace the filter, check all brake lines and make sure the brakes work well. Make sure all steering parts are okay.
Of course, check all hoses and belts also. If the car has been used now and then the gas should be fine.

 

And don't forget the obligatory roll of 100 MPH tape.

 

Good luck on the trip, and we can"t wait to see pictures. I have a light green 1973 Country Sedan.

 

Think rotting rubber!
If it's been sitting a long time, time is not rubber friend.

Brake hoses,vac hoses,cooling system,tires,
fuel lines.

I brought my wife's 1967 Fairlane SW home from San Diego
To northern Cal. I took all the tools I could on the plane going down.

The first thing I did when I got there was a full service on the car.
I didn't have one problem.
Best of luck,
Rick

 

Thanks everyone for the help. I'm working on finding a mechanic in the area to look it over before I get there, and I'm going to have him replace the tires for me. No one knows how old the tires are, and I'd rather not worry about it.
I'm driving up July 5th to get it, so as soon as I have it, I'll update with pics, quality, etc...

Hope I don't need it, but keep wishing me luck please!!