How about a 73 LTD?

"Rainbow" (rainbeaux) 02/07/2019 at 16:43 • Filed to: None

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The Chevette guy won’t respond, so now we’re looking into this. The only major issue is the brake lights don’t work... are these hard to work on electronically?

WilliamsSW > Rainbow 02/07/2019 at 16:51

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Chevette guy probably doesn’t have a phone. Or internet. Or electricity.

There’s probably a number of different possibilities as to why the brake lights don’t work, worst case is re-wiring them I suppose.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Rainbow 02/07/2019 at 16:55

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Do it. Electronics can be repaire d with things you can find at a hardware store, like #12 wire and crimps . I’m pretty sure my grand pa had the mercury version of this car. Very much a land yacht .

CobraJoe > Rainbow 02/07/2019 at 17:02

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The only major issue is the brake lights don’t work... are these hard to work on electronically?

I’m calling it now: The tail light bulb sockets are not powering the bulbs. (a reoccurring problem in our Gambler ‘79 Cougar).

Something in those sockets loses connection internally, either a broken spring or corrosion or poor soldering or something.

Good news is that they’re easy to diagnose and replace. Probe the socket and the wires with a test light (a huge help in these old cars) , and then replace it if you have power in the wire but not the socket. 2 or 3 wire sockets are easy enough to find, and just as easy to splice in.

If by chance it is’t a socket, then it’s still a pretty straight forward system to diagnose. The only problem is tracing the wires can get tricky, there are enough of them that get in the way. Even worse could be damage by mice. Overall though, a pretty simple electrical system.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Rainbow 02/07/2019 at 17:04

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If the brake lights don’t work, but the turn signals do, most likely it would be the pressure switch. Which is like an $8 fix, assuming the simple kind attached to the brake master.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Rainbow 02/07/2019 at 17:17

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My grandmother had the Cougar. T he only work I ever did on it was a brake job. It took my uncle and I a couple of hours to get the rear drums off. They were rusted onto the hub. This was surprising since we lived in a state that doesn’t salt the roads.

fintail > Rainbow 02/07/2019 at 17:40

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Don’t recall ever seeing one with an opera window like that, someone wanted a Continental . Maybe a period conversion.

Rainbow > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 02/07/2019 at 17:47

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The turn signals are out, too. Is that worse?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Rainbow 02/07/2019 at 18:00

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Probably what CobraJoe suggested, then. Socket connection and/or ground issues, so may be easiest to replace the sockets.

Nothing too hard, though, and may respond to cleaning or bulb replacement.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > WilliamsSW 02/07/2019 at 18:11

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

That is the funniest thing I’ve read today.  Thanks.

daender > Rainbow 02/07/2019 at 20:41

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Rainbow, what the fuck? Don’t buy the Chevette. I know you want an affordable project car but don’t do a Chevette, it’s never worth the effort.  This LTD is a better purchase but be prepared for this thing to guzzle gas like it’s going out of style while accelerating slowly.

daender > Rainbow 02/07/2019 at 20:53

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Also, bad ideas:

1991 Miata, needs motor. Perfect excuse to do a 1.8L s wap from a later NA .   https://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/d/west-columbia-1991-miata/6810335498.html

‘85 Buick Regal: horrible ideas but this could be a comfortable and classy car once it’s back on the road! https://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/d/sumter-85-buick-regal/6814155718.html

Tristan > Rainbow 02/08/2019 at 02:56

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Link to ad? These are well-built, comfy cruisers. They had crazy high rear end gearing, so if you get them out on the open road, the fuel economy isn’t horrible. Around town, it’s guzzle. Overall very simple and easy to work on with cheap parts and good availability. Waaaaayyyy better than the Shove-it (Chevette).

Rainbow > Tristan 02/08/2019 at 07:10

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https://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/d/anderson-1973-ford-ltd/6812744826.html

If someone here buys it before I get a chance, I’m gonna be mad.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > CobraJoe 02/08/2019 at 07:12

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2nd this motion, had the same issue on my 66 Electra, replaced the sockets, problem solved.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Rainbow 02/08/2019 at 07:14

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Looks pretty decent for the money, DO IT!

Check for rear frame rust before you pull the trigger.

Going with CobraJoe, the lights are likely bad/rusty sockets, easy fix.

Tristan > Rainbow 02/08/2019 at 12:30

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I’d offer $800 since it sounds like the interior is in shambles. And confirm it's a 351w and not a 351m. The latter is a turd.

jimz > Rainbow 02/08/2019 at 12:58

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‘70s Fords were exceptional rusters, so check the underbody and wheelwells carefully.  

jimz > CobraJoe 02/08/2019 at 13:00

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yep.  taillight wiring was another pain point of ‘70s Fords.  I remember my dad’s ‘73 Cougar having issues with the grounds, which meant the sequencer wouldn’t work correctly. 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Rainbow 02/09/2019 at 17:14

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I imagine the wiring is really simple. It’s the vacuum system for emissions that will kill you.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Rainbow 02/09/2019 at 17:25

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May I suggest:

https://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/d/anderson-1965-chevy-chevrolet-corvair/6810588186.html

https://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/d/fountain-inn-1970-voltswagon/6803187662.html

https://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/d/pickens-1975-ranchero/6798716712.html

:D

Rainbow > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 02/09/2019 at 17:41

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The first two are a bit over-budget ($1600) but that Ranchero.... I wonder if it could survive the trip back to Atlanta.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Rainbow 02/09/2019 at 17:44

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Roadkill-style road trip? :P