Is this a good deal? '68 Skylark Wagon http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/cto/1799502771.html Thanks & Aloha, Scott The grandson shared with me that the car stopped running about a month ago. The carb was rebuilt and it ran a while (ABOUT 30 MINUTES) and stalled. A mech said the carb was rebuilt incorrectly and installed a brand new GM carb. The car ran for an undetermined amount of time and again stalled, BUT BLACK SMOKE STARTED EXITING THE TAILPIPE BEFORE IT STALLED. The owners mechanic told him it pay probably be some collapsed rings. I mentioned to the owner that I believe it's related to clogged fuel line or excessive debris in the fuel tank that is stopping up the pick-up. Cosmetically if you check my www.photobucket.com/smbolter you will see one close-up of the paint and how areas of the car have what looks like a shattered effect with some light pink/red/rusty discoloration in the cracks. Not too worried about the shattering, but what is it and what am I looking at. ALSO, there's a dent in the drivers side front fender just before the headlight and one small dent in the middle of the hood. Owner (93 yr old man) has never repainted it. ALL original. Whats the verdict re: the motor and the stalling and black smoke? The 350 will turn over, but still will not start. Not sure if this helps or not, but maybe it's a sign to what to look for next. Thanks and Aloha, Scott NEW PARTS: Alternator, dist cap & internals, plug wires, plugs, battery, fuel pump, coil, water pump, carburetor, .....
If it is as nice as the pictures I wouldn't have a problem paying 5K for it. Shouldn't be a lot wrong with the engine but you never know for sure. Any clunking when it turns over? I wouldn't try to hard to start it the price my go up. Looks like a deal to me. Good Luck. Bob H.
Thanks Bob! Gonna try n meet with him to see it today. Figured I would take his work for it re: not starting and tackle that once I get it back home. If it doesn't, I've got a Stage-1 455 almost ready to fire.:beer Just have to see if the wagon needs any support for the big block. The biggest hurdle is convincing my wife, it's a cool good deal.
Wow. Nice find, Scott. Before clicking on the wagon, I noticed the "455 - Engine Only" in your sig, so when I read "One problem - Won't start." I laughed! Judging from your sig, I've a feeling that it won't be long before the wagon becomes the least disposable of your toys where your wife is concerned. My wife didn't know about mine either, but steals it at every opportunity now; drives like a luxury car, yet hauls people or cargo with equal ease (and it's still fun for test and tunes and autocrosses). Good luck! That '68 with a 455 is my current dream wagon. -Scott
If this works out, I want to drive her as often as possible, but I know the stock suspension is almost certain to be sloppy. Whats the best option to tighten up the ride without killing the budget. I need to keep the spending under the radar. I hope to do one upgrade about every two months. Scott:beers2:
Well, the owners grandson called me and I will be looking at the wagon tomorrow morning. The grandson shared with me that the car stopped running about a month ago. The carb was rebuilt and it ran a while (not sure how long) and stalled. A mech said the carb was rebuilt incorrectly and installed a brand new GM carb. The car ran for an undetermined amount of time and again stalled. The 350 will turn over, but still will not start. Not sure if this helps or not, but maybe it's a sign to what to look for next. Thanks and Aloha, Scott
I had a similar problem with my 65 Chevelle 2-door wagon. After two carb's and two fuel pumps, it turned out to be a colapsed fuel line at the gas tank, just before the hard line. o No: Try drizzling gas in the carb, to see if its a fuel delivery problem. Hope this is helpful. Good Luck. Keep us in the loop. btw, I love flat-top wagons. :TU:
