'73 Chevelle SS Wagon (local find)

[JamesSam]

Yeah it's a cool thread/story and Andy @bucket scored one hell of a Chevy Wagon. So cool.

And to clarify not a "Hellwagon" lol.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I get all excited when this thread gets bumped lol

Me too

 

[bucket]

Here's an article about the '73 SS wagon with some pictures. Probably nothing you don't already know, but I thought of you immediately when I saw it.

That article, although rather generalized, is surprisingly lacking in misinformation like most articles on the '73 SS wagon are chock full of.

One weird thing about my wagon... that article, among others and all GM literature I've found state that a rear sway bar is part of the option. But mine does not have one and doesn't appear that it ever did. I've seen incredibly nice survivors online and they have one, but none have had the base 2bbl 350 like mine. I wonder if you had to get the 4bbl or the big block to get the sway bar. Or maybe they just forgot mine at the factory. I'll probably never find out for sure.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

That article, although rather generalized, is surprisingly lacking in misinformation like most articles on the '73 SS wagon are chock full of.

One weird thing about my wagon... that article, among others and all GM literature I've found state that a rear sway bar is part of the option. But mine does not have one and doesn't appear that it ever did. I've seen incredibly nice survivors online and they have one, but none have had the base 2bbl 350 like mine. I wonder if you had to get the 4bbl or the big block to get the sway bar. Or maybe they just forgot mine at the factory. I'll probably never find out for sure.

That's interesting....you could be absolutely correct about the sway bar not being available with the base engine. If you could get a look at the big Chevrolet dealership flip book that has all the models, colors and options availability lists, that might give you a better idea. I had one for a '71 but I think I sold it a couple years ago; not sure why we even had it because we never had a '71 Chevy.

 

[bucket]

That's interesting....you could be absolutely correct about the sway bar not being available with the base engine. If you could get a look at the big Chevrolet dealership flip book that has all the models, colors and options availability lists, that might give you a better idea. I had one for a '71 but I think I sold it a couple years ago; not sure why we even had it because we never had a '71 Chevy.

The '73 dealer brochure even states that a rear sway bar was part of the package. But I believe those were typically made up before some model year plans were finalized.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

The '73 dealer brochure even states that a rear sway bar was part of the package. But I believe those were typically made up before some model year plans were finalized.

Yes, if you look at the back cover or last pages there are usually comments to that effect.
The car is so rare though, unless you are doing a concours grade restoration, it wouldn't matter. But if you can find the parts for the sway bar installation, and you want one, go for it. In the end, it's your car....do what you want to it.

 

[bucket]

Yes, if you look at the back cover or last pages there are usually comments to that effect.
The car is so rare though, unless you are doing a concours grade restoration, it wouldn't matter. But if you can find the parts for the sway bar installation, and you want one, go for it. In the end, it's your car....do what you want to it.

I actually do have one for it. Will I ever install it? Not likely. It's an excellent cruising car.

Unless of course, the original engine gives up the ghost. At that point then maybe a stock-appearing 383 and other performance goodies could make their way to the car. But that's a bridge I may never have to cross.

 

[bucket]

I've been doing a few things in preparation for Power Tour again. Just piddly stuff.

I wired in a power inverter, complete with a breaker at the battery. I also installed a stereo, AKA Bluetooth speaker, lol.

You must be registered for see images attach

Other than the hookups at the battery, the wiring just blends in underhood.

You must be registered for see images attach

I also replaced the AC belt and charged the AC. I'm not sure if it could use more charge or not, as I can't check the high side pressure because the aluminum cap seems to be seized on the port and I don't want to break it off. But, it blows 37° out the dash vents, so I'm calling it good enough. I've got 2.25 lbs of r134a in an r12 system that calls for 3.75 lbs. Frost forms after the POA valve (which I'm guessing is an indicator that it could use more charge) and also at the compressor suction line.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[TotalyHucked]

Hell yeah, I'd take that. Just gotta keep an eye on it so it doesn't totally freeze up. When one of the pressure switches (can't remember if it was the low or high, I think it was the high) died on my '94 Mustang in college, me and my dad bypassed it with a jumper wire and he just told me "when you start getting snow out the vents, turn it off". I wasn't paying attention one time and it completely froze everything up

 

[bucket]

Hell yeah, I'd take that. Just gotta keep an eye on it so it doesn't totally freeze up. When one of the pressure switches (can't remember if it was the low or high, I think it was the high) died on my '94 Mustang in college, me and my dad bypassed it with a jumper wire and he just told me "when you start getting snow out the vents, turn it off". I wasn't paying attention one time and it completely froze everything up

This old system doesn't use any pressure switches, it's all controlled with the expansion valve and POA valve working in tandem. The compressor will run even with no freon.

I've got the temp gauge in the dash though. I ran two hours yesterday with it blowing 35-37° at 75mph down the interstate. And then the blower motor took a dump, lol. Luckily though, there was an Autozone hub in Indy with a blower motor in stock. I replaced the blower motor in the Applebee's parking lot before we went in to eat dinner last night.

This morning we cruised with the AC blasting again, on the way into the Indy Power Tour stop.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[bucket]

The brand new AC belt snapped on the way to the hotel this evening. It's not too awful surprising, it was a really cheap belt. I'll have to find a quality belt along the way somewhere.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

The brand new AC belt snapped on the way to the hotel this evening. It's not too awful surprising, it was a really cheap belt. I'll have to find a quality belt along the way somewhere.

That wagon is super cool... Even if the AC is temporarily down!

 

[bucket]

Today was a bit of a fiasco. We were making good time at the start of the day, but that all went downhill as there was a fuel filter/mechanical fuel pump/used electric pump/new electric pump series of events that came about. But we did make it to the venue early enough in the evening to get our long haul cards punched.

But long story short, the wagon will need a new mechanical fuel pump when I get home. And never again will I mount a fuel filter between the tank and the inlet of the fuel pump.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Today was a bit of a fiasco. We were making good time at the start of the day, but that all went downhill as there was a fuel filter/mechanical fuel pump/used electric pump/new electric pump series of events that came about. But we did make it to the venue early enough in the evening to get our long haul cards punched.

But long story short, the wagon will need a new mechanical fuel pump when I get home. And never again will I mount a fuel filter between the tank and the inlet of the fuel pump.

At least on a 70s 350 you can change the fuel pump easily...no tank dropping involved like the newer stuff. Had to replace the in tank pump on my OBS Burb a couple years ago and it was not a pleasant experience, and I had help who had done the same job recently on a relative's Burb.