Im looking at a 64 wagon, power back window, 3 rows of seats, 194cu 6cylinder wagon for my wifes daily driver. Anything specific I should check for? Any nasty spots for rust? I was hoping to do a disc brake conversion, and an OD transmission. Is there a donor car that I can get all the parts from? 1980's chevy or buick or cadillac? Possibly change the engine to a V8.
-- Edited by jasonlaing on Wednesday 8th of July 2015 08:50:33 PM
The tailgates held water, so inside rust is usually a problem. The other most vulnerable areas are spare tire well and front foot pans. Also over the headlight areas of the fender. Being a 3 row means there is a well area for the 3rd seat to fold into that could also hold water and rust.
Other than that I doubt an OD trans is a good idea as the 194 6cyl will probably have trouble pulling the car in OD. It might be OK unloaded with only a driver but any cargo or passengers could be a problem. Check the rear gear by counting the rotations, my wagon has a 3:36 gear and pulls fine. The standard gear is more like a 3:08 although it was very common for the wagons to be geared up a bit for loads and many of them had positraction added for traction. You did not say but I'm guessing it is a powerglide which would also favor the highway gear but if by chance it is a manual they came with the taller gear.
The standard brakes are small but if in good condition they will do the job again with driver and no cargo. The added weight of passengers or cargo might work better with disc brakes. Keep in mind the 64 will have 5 lug bolt pattern but the standard rims might not clear the rotors for disc brakes. Check to see if it has 13" or 14" rims and tires.
The powerglides were aluminum air cooled in 62 & 63 not sure on 64. If the trans is air cooled, an upgraded trans would need an external cooler as no provision for cooling trans fluid in the radiator.
-floor pans and supports, especially in floor pan toe board/kickup area and around the base of the floor vents
-rearmost portion of the rear subframe where bumper brackets attach
-trunk floor where above mentioned bumper bracket sits up against it
-spare tire tub at the bottom
A 3 seat wagon with an electric window is not common on these cars. And check the gas tank for rust inside and out, it only fits 3 seat wagons and is not reproduced, tough to find a good used one.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
