As a newbe, I got a couple of dumb questions. Did the rubber that surrounds the tail lights come out in 72 or was it there for 71 as well? I have some space around my tail lights and I was just wondering. What oil viscosity is best used for a bone stock Stage 1? I just put 5X30 Mobile one in but someone said the first number should be 20 in these old engines. Does it really make a difference? I only occasional use the car for drives to car shows or short weekend trips. No extreme heat or cold. My power steering resouvior needs just a bit of fluid. The owners manual calls for Dextron oil. Well, I can find Dextrol III transmission oil at the auto parts store but is that the same?
Welcome here, and there are no dumb questions. The rubber tail light surrounds were only on the 72 as far as I know. For oil, I run 20w50 valvoline racing oil, but we are going to switch to 10w30 for the winter.
Dont use anything less thana 10-w30. 5-30 is way too thin for an old engine. What color is your car? Looks like a 70 brown? I have 71 Stage-1 as well and it is burnished Cinnamon. What is your color code and build date? Any Dextron fluid is fine for power steering.
looks like Fred Englehart's old rosewood 71 Stage 1. Beautiful car. Should be code 78. As far as power steering fluid, the service manual states- Use only power steering fluid meeting GM spec9985010 I would not advise using transmission fluid
Yes, I was more concerned with there being something different than Dextron III available somewhere as the owners manual simply says to add Dextron. I can only located Dexrton III.
You know, I really never got a good explaination on the nuances. I realize theyre both hydraulic fluid. Ive just always put specific power steering fluid in power steering pumps. I guess as long as Dextron meets the GM spec, its ok to use. I know Jen's old Mach I does specify Type F in the pump.
What color is your car? Looks like a 70 brown? I have 71 Stage-1 as well and it is burnished Cinnamon. What is your color code and build date? The color is called "Rosewood". I have the window sticker and I got the name from there. I'm not sure about the paint code as its not on the document, however I checked the plate on the cowl and it appears to be "78" with the trim code being 168. I don't know the build date as I don't have the build sheet however according to the Protect O Plate it was sold on 2/2/71 in Hastings Mich.
Dextron was replaced by Dextron II and then that was replaced by Dextron III. The composition of the fluid is slightly different. If you really want to know exactly you can go to the SAE or API sites and look around for the information. I personally use power steering fluid in my cars because it is almost colorless and the other fluids each have a unique color. So if I have a leak I know better what it is and where it is coming from.
Beautiful car. I think it's the same one I looked at a few times on-line recently. Love the colour. Rubber surrounds for the tail lights were '72 only. If you had a '72 bumper without the rubber I believe the slotted holes would show on the bumper. Pretty sure the 72 also had a "Buick" plate/script above the license plate. A gap may simply indicate an alignment issue with the bumper or taillight housings. I have heard of a few early '72 cars shipped with '71 bumpers. Look again at the cowl plate. Look for a 3 digit code, somewhere below the TR number, on the left. Mine is 01C which indicates 01=January, C=3rd week.
Bosscar9, Good looking car. For motor oil, i would suggest using Brad Penn 10w40 motor oil because of the zinc content so your cam doesn't self destruct. There may be a distributor in your area that carries Brad Penn motor oils. You could also add a ZDDP addditive if you cannot find Brad Penn motor oil. Ken
Beautiful car, and welcome. Glad to see this car finally made it into someone's hands who will appreciate the car and drive it. I wish it was in my garage, love that color, only one I've seen that color. If I remember right, this is a 50 some thousand mile car, pretty much a survivor. This car has been stuck in classic car dealer hell for the past several years, like I said, glad to see it finally found an owner.:TU:
Thanks for your comments. I knew when I first saw it on EBAY that the color was rare. Yes, it does only have 52700 original miles. The historical service records that came with the car does support this. This is my second Stage 1, the first was a 70 Fire Red example, restored close to a Number 1 car. I won the 1999 Goodguys Muscle Car of the Year award with that car and wish I never let it go. I had been looking for a similar example to purchase over the last year so I could get back to winning car shows again. I do have a little cosmetic engine compartment work to do to the 71 but that will be fun. This is a great forum by the way. Wish I had access to it 10 years ago.
