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| Tech Talk |
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Dear Year One,
I read in your Winter '96 issue of Restoration Review that Buick never built GSX convertibles. My father-in-law's brother owns a 1971 GSX, 455 Stage 1 convertible. The car has been in Southern California all its life. It's an unrestored original with the exception of new white paint and GSX accents it is gorgeous! The owner assured me that it is extremely rare and original. He said that Buick made them, but the model will not show up in sales brochures. He confirmed the existence of less than ten GSX convertibles through his insurance agent. Apparently insurance records confirm their existence. Will you further research your assertion? Thanks,
Ron Martin
California
Dear Ron,
Further research still does not show any evidence of GSX convertibles, but, since one can never say never when dealing with cars, some interesting ideas come up. If we can document this car as a factory GSX convertible, it may be the only one known to exist!
It is held as fact that all GSX production took place at the Flint, MI assembly plant (VIN 7th character "H"), which did not build convertibles. You will need to find documentation (build sheet, dealer invoice, window sticker, etc.) showing the VIN number of this car, that also shows the GSX option (code WA5) in order to properly prove this car is the genuine article.
It's a fact that some dealers converted GS convertibles to GSXs. As there was no rear spoiler to properly mate with the convertible's different quarter panels, these cars will not have a rear spoiler unless a hardtop spoiler is modified to fit. We know of one documented dealer-converted GSX convertible, and have heard of another (a '72 model). Of course, these are not regarded as factory GSXs.
Finally, our contacts in the insurance industry have been unable to support the figures your friend's agent quoted. Please contact us again if you find documentation that supports this car's factory origins so we may share the information with our fellow enthusiasts!
Marty
Dear Year One,
A few years ago I took the engine out of my 1971 Malibu, replacing it with a 1975 Pontiac 400 engine. I removed the charcoal canister, but kept it. I recently looked at it and found no way to open it, [but] tiny charcoal pieces fell out.
Forty-five minutes east of here counties are testing emissions. I'm sure this county will soon follow. What would be emissions correct, the charcoal canister for the Malibu or one for a 1975 Firebird 400?
Thanks,
Jeff Heacox
Wisconsin
Dear Jeff,
Either the Pontiac or Chevy charcoal canister may be used with good results, however, it sounds as if you will need to get a replacement for the one that's coming apart.
When emission testing comes to your area, you may find your car is exempt. Emissions testing is common here in the metro-Atlanta area, but only 1975-and-later cars are subject to the tests. If your car is not exempt, then you must first determine what is required to pass the test, and then you can set about bringing your car into compliance.
Marty
Dear Year One,
I am writing to see if you can offer some advice on the power plant of a '67 Firebird 400 convertible. I am restoring the car as close to a "drivable" class 2 as possible. It may make most shows, but will really be for my weekend enjoyment. Thus, the motor will not have to be perfect, but visually close to stock. With your expertise, what improvements in horsepower can I make to an original 400 WZ-code motor without changing its outward appearance? I'm thinking along the lines of cam, pistons, valves, heads, etc. By the way, the block has previously been bored .030" over.
Also, without the original build sheet, how can I find out what options (particularly wheels, hood tach and radio) came on the car? Pontiac Historic Services only furnished a billing history, which is very limited. Any info would be great! Sincerely,
Derek Higgs
Pennsylvania
Dear Derek,
The 1967 "WZ" code engine came with a camshaft referred to as the "067" cam (the last three digits of the part number), a basic high-performance grind (.406" lift intake/exhaust, 273° intake, 289° exhaust duration). The "068" cam, our part number CS805K (.406" lift intake/exhaust, 288° intake, 302° exhaust duration), is a very good step up without drivability problems. Internally, you may choose to improve the cylinder heads. Port matching, bowl blending, general port clean up and multi-angle valve jobs will all provide power improvements. You may want a professional to do this if you are not familiar with these operations.
You may also find that carb jetting will improve engine performance. There may also be some performance in resetting the distributor advance curve. Finally, you may consider switching to an electronic ignition. If the stock distributor is converted to electronic operation, such as through the use of our Igniter system, the original appearance will be preserved.
As for options, you won't be able to determine what the car came with unless you can find documentation. If a thorough search of the vehicle does not yield documentation (such as a build sheet, etc.), you may have to obtain ownership history through the title agency and contact prior owners. Marty
Dear Year One,
I own a '73 Dodge Challenger. I am currently having problems with my electrical system. The car charges, but as soon as I turn the lights, heater and radio on, the ammeter goes to discharge. I've replaced the alternator, voltage regulator, ballast, engine harness, coil, electronic control module and battery. Can you help me out? Thanks,
Kelly Montoya
Colorado
Dear Kelly,
It sounds as though you have high resistance in the circuit. Check all connections, especially at the bulkhead connector from the alternator output to the ammeter, ammeter connections, and the ammeter to starter relay bulkhead connection. Another possibility is that the new alternator blew a diode from the battery being discharged on startup. Good luck!
Marty
| Dear Year One, My son has just purchased a 1963 Chevy II 2-door sedan. The car was a 4-cylinder, but is now a 350 small block with a TH350 transmission a lotta power but not enough stop!
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| I've come across a complete front brake changeover to 5-lugs with freshly
turned drums, so I guess the problem will be the rear end and just what will fit with the
least problems. Also, do you sell multi-leaf springs for this car? I looked at a Chevy
S-10 pickup rear end and it's close, what do you think? We also have 15"x7"
Chevy Rally wheels with standard offset, will they fit? Thanks, Bob Benson Georgia
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Dear Bob,
My interchange guide shows only other Chevy II rear-axle assemblies being a direct fit for your car. You may be able to use others, however, and the critical areas to look at when considering another axle would be the distance from leaf spring perch-to-perch and the overall width. Most other areas, such as brake lines, parking brakes, driveshaft lengths and U-joints can be modified, created or adapted.
We do offer a multi-leaf spring set for Chevy IIs as well as an adapter kit (part # YU44) to convert from mono-leaf. Of course, this adapter assumes the use of a stock rear axle; other axles may require custom adaptations.
As for the 15" x 7 wheels, if these have the common 4-3/4" bolt circle, they will fit most GM 5-lug setups. Be sure to measure for tire clearance, as many 15" tires won't clear the body or frame without modification.
Marty
Dear Year One,
About a year ago I traded my 1955 Chevy Bel Air and a bunch of other miscellaneous stuff for a 1969 Charger R/T-S/E 4-speed. I worked on the car 4-1/2 months and got it in good, safe and reliable shape. When I first got the Charger, I didn't know much about Mopars so I bought every book and magazine I could find and joined the Charger registry. I decoded it myself and was very pleased to find out what a well-equipped muscle car it is. I've read that there were 65,429 Chargers produced in 1969, and 4,243 were R/T-S/Es. I was wondering how many R/T-S/E, 4-speed, 440-4bbl cars were made in 1969? If you could help me find the answer, I sure would appreciate it!
Bob Parker
Nevada
Dear Bob,
Unfortunately, I have been unable to find any production numbers for 1969 Charger R/T-S/E cars beyond what you have already seen. It is estimated that about 600 cars were produced with 440-4bbls and 4-speeds. In fact, one Mopar expert recently quoted 619 as a production figure, but this number was based on option percentages instead of actual production records.
In any event, at least you know you are dealing with an exceptionally rare and desirable muscle car produced in very small quantities.
Marty
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