What's better than a non-running parts car?

"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit) 07/25/2019 at 14:28 • Filed to: parts car, firebird esprit, still needs a name

1

15

A running one, duh.

IF the pos 301 runs.

The guys I bought it from said they tried, got the motor to turn over, and got the starter to... try starting? It was all locked up from sitting in a field. They removed it .

And left it on the front seat.

With no bolts.

So under further inspection, the carb linkage moves, the fuel pump is disconnected but still there. Hopefully it works because the car has no gas tank or under car fuel lines (thanks, rust) and I want to just use a gas can to provide fuel, IF the pump works.

The engine has oil, the trans has fluid, the radiator even has some water in it, which is scary . (the power steering fluid is also full, yay!)

All the plug wires were removed, but only 7 out of 8 plugs are present. No idea where #8 went.

There is no belt on the alternator to provide juice IF it starts.

Something like 80% of the vacuum lines are disconnected or broken.

Oh, and there is no battery but I can ‘borrow’ a side post from work.

Speaking of, there’s no battery wiring. Well, there WAS, but since the car sat in a field and the battery wiring heads straight down toward a nice place for weeds to grow into, the ends of the positive and negative cabe are gone. Like, rotted off gone. Like poof. Gone.

So I did some shopping yesterday and today, got a starter for $50, a belt for $6 (I might use the one I found in the trunk, however), battery cables for $6 (so cheap!), and starter bolts for $5. I have a chunk of fuel line I can use to feed the pump, and other than that all I have to do is some basic stuff to see if it’ll turn over, or even start & run. For the price I might as well try, right?

But w hy even bother in the first place ?

Because a boat anchor may sell for a coupe bucks, but a RUNNING boat anchor? I might get FIVE.

Plus I know how popular those “Barn Find Car Sitting For XX Years First Start In XX Years” videos are popular.

I might try to make one.

lone_liberal > Takuro Spirit 07/25/2019 at 14:36

2

I admit that I’d watch it. I watch a lot of those. I don’t even know why. You might have a bit of a challenge on your hands with that one.

Sovande > Takuro Spirit 07/25/2019 at 14:36

0

If the fuel pump is mechanical, it’s an easy and cheap part to replace, no? It’s fairly simple in a 305/350 Chevy anyway... That will at least get you one component closer to starting.

Good luck!

Takuro Spirit > lone_liberal 07/25/2019 at 14:38

1

I have faith though. Not sure why. It doesn’t seem as bad off mechanically as it does structurally. All the bits are MOSTLY there. Plus for some reason I have a spare distributor in the trunk.

But the million dollar question remains, “Why was it parked in that field in the first place?”

Takuro Spirit > Sovande 07/25/2019 at 14:40

0

It is. And its only $20. But I like to only replace parts if needed. 

Bandit > Takuro Spirit 07/25/2019 at 14:46

0

I dont know what your plans are for some of the parts, but I’d  be interested in the T-tops if you’re looking to sell, mine are trashed. Also the radio if you’re not going to use it.

Also, I’m so glad you’re working on Trans Amess again!

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Takuro Spirit 07/25/2019 at 14:50

3

What’s better than a non-running parts car?

OBVIOUSLY it’s a running parts car FILLED WITH MARIJUANA!!!

Sovande > Takuro Spirit 07/25/2019 at 14:53

2

Gotcha! The carb in 1979 isn’t a feedback carb (computer controlled) so you should be able to remove all the emissions stuff (probably 15 feet of vacuum hose) and still get it to run.  Sounds like a fun project.

Takuro Spirit > Bandit 07/25/2019 at 14:53

0

I wouldn’t call it WORKING on it, but it is READY to get some work done.

Once I strip everything down on the Esprit to the point where I don’t care if it rains on the interior, I’ll let you and mybirdistheword know.

I want to make sure the radio works, too. I know the t-tops are in decent shape, just a couple scratches.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Takuro Spirit 07/25/2019 at 15:32

0

May I ask, how much did you give for this car?

Takuro Spirit > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/25/2019 at 15:47

0

$400

Plus $70 for the trailer rental.

And a couple bucks in gas since it was only one town over.

And a half a bottle of ibuprofen for the sore muscles over the next few days.

Bandit > Takuro Spirit 07/25/2019 at 18:10

0

Hey half the battle is getting ready. I’ve got some hard top specific interior trim I’d be willing to trade around as well... 

MM54 > Takuro Spirit 07/25/2019 at 18:14

1

This will be fun, good luck!

My bird IS the word > Takuro Spirit 07/25/2019 at 20:13

1

There is a reason the 301 is called the boat anchor....

If you manage to get that POS running before my rebult block i m handing in my oppo card.

Urambo Tauro > Takuro Spirit 07/26/2019 at 10:47

1

Yeah I like the way you think . It was probably parked just because it needed a thing , and after sitting it probably needs only a few things to get running again. If it’s that close to being a running engine, it’ll be worth the investment.

Takuro Spirit > Bandit 07/26/2019 at 14:16

0

Cool, I’ll let you know. I literally bought this whole car for its driver’s side A-pillar trim, and some other bits.