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My 1969 GS400

Discussion in 'Members Rides' started by FLGS400, Nov 30, 2020.

  1. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Had some local errands to run today. Since it was so nice out I took the GS. This is only the 4th time I driven the car since I bought it in May.

    Been doing a lot of work to it. The carburetor is still not quite there, but good enough to drive and enjoy for now.

    I love driving it!

    20201130_130847 Edit.jpg 20201130_130906 Edit.jpg 20201130_130923 Edit.jpg
     
  2. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    Sharp ride.

    Send your QJ to Rob Ross here on the board. You won't be disappointed.

    Of course, that's assuming you're running a QJ...
     
    MRP and BYoung like this.
  3. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Thanks Brett, just saw your comment on FB too. Yes, I am running a QJ on it. Spent the last few weeks getting the timing curve and QJ tuned. Runs decent now. Just has a stumble if you jump on it after it's been sitting at idle. I'm still learning what this 400 likes and doesn't like, too.
     
    Brett Slater likes this.
  4. Brian Albrecht

    Brian Albrecht Classic Reflections

    Thanks for sharing pictures of the seldom driven GS400 Rich! :)

    Auto or 4 speed? What was the original color?

    I might be a bit concerned about the age of those Hoosiers. Good looking tires but they haven't made them in a very long time.
     
  5. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    It's been 6 1/2 months, so I thought it was about time! :D

    It's an automatic with the original parchment colored bucket seats and console. The original color of the car was brown metallic (not sure the correct name or code).

    It definitely needs new tires! The front needs new control arm bushings too. I just ordered a front disc brake conversion kit, so it will also get new ball joints, control arm bushings, springs, shocks, and tires. I'm going to try to use a 245/60R15 all the way around, probably Coopers. I've had great luck with Cooper tires on all of my other cars and trucks.
     
    Stage 2 iron likes this.
  6. MRP

    MRP Well-Known Member

    He isn't kidding about those Hoosiers, I had the exact same set I used for winter storage and about a month ago I jacked up the car and the RR tire blew the cord in it and scared me to near death.
     
    Jeff Pulera and Brian Albrecht like this.
  7. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Well... both rear tires are pretty worn out and one seems to have the tread starting to separate. I can feel the slight wobble in the back when going slowly. It may just get new tires on the back first, before the new ball joints, bushings, shocks, springs, front tires, and alignment!
     
    MRP likes this.
  8. MRP

    MRP Well-Known Member

    Here is what a bulged out 5F6DDA77-EF35-4CCD-ACCB-45D26BD094A7.jpeg Hoosier looks like :)
     
    Jeff Pulera likes this.
  9. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Wow!
    Mine's not that bad yet....
     
  10. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Found a few more pictures on my phone, of the interior. This is after a deep cleaning and treatment of all of the vinyl, new AutoMeter gauges, moved the Sun tach to the column where I can see it, new stereo and speakers, new dash printed circuit board, all lighting converted to LEDs (except the one in the mirror), new headlight switch, new cigarette lighter socket, new glove box liner, and new glove box lock and latch. This interior project started due to a short in the wiring to the reverse lights (at the shifter) that kept popping the fuse for the turn signals and power seat.

    The seat inserts are to protect the original seat covers which are in great shape.
    20201011_144509.jpg 20201011_144517.jpg 20201011_144524.jpg 20201011_144536.jpg

    Here is what the interior looked like when I got the car
    20200609_142433.jpg
     
    GKMoz, FireRedGS455, pbr400 and 3 others like this.
  11. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Thank you!

    I wasn't so sure about the color when I first saw the pictures of it, as I have never owned a yellow car before. It grew on me quickly though and the price was right.

    The paint job looks good in the pictures and is great for a driver. It does have it's flaws though. I believe the paint job is almost 30-years old. The previous owner included some receipts that he was given. One is for the shop that did the motor rebuild in 1993, that shows the color as yellow in the vehicle description. The body of this car is super solid all around and I have no plans to repaint it any time soon.
     
    Stage 2 iron likes this.
  12. Stage 2 iron

    Stage 2 iron Platinum Level Contributor

    I have a 15 inch sandalwood rally steering wheel that would probably match your interior. It's correct for 71- 72. Send me a conversation if interested and I can take some pictures.
     
    FLGS400 and Brian Albrecht like this.
  13. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    I hope so. Probably safer too!

    That would be really sweet and I will keep it in mind. I have to fix the carburetor issues, fix the leaky pinion seal, do the disc brake conversion and front end, then fix the AC. That is my project list for now... unless something else more important gives. :D
     
  14. wikstrom07

    wikstrom07 Member

    Nice ride you have there though. Congrats on your purchase.
     
    FLGS400 likes this.
  15. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Thank you!
     
  16. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    With regard to the Carb description it sounds like the accelerator pump or the Power piston. Since it sounds like you are fiddling with this yourself, I thought I would share.

    If you are in fact working on the carb and don't have the Rochester Quadrajet book, it's a must have for figuring this out.

    Nice car. My 1968 GS 400 has the same buckskin interior, with ivory exterior.
     
  17. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Well, since the weather was amazing here in Central Florida today, and I got the GS400 to where it runs much better, I took it for a drive to run some errands. It has been 4-months since I've driven it.

    Within the past 4-months, I've done the following:

    Replaced the tires with Cooper Cobra 245/60R15s
    Retorqued the intake bolts
    Replaced the distributor with a 1112110 old stock remanufactured one (took apart and re-lubed everything)
    Added 12V ignition power lead to the engine harness
    Added a FAST electronic module to it
    Added a FAST PS20 coil
    Added a MSD 6AL box
    Replace the Sun tachometer with a more MSD friendly AutoMeter one
    Replaced the spark plugs with NGK UR4 gapped at .041
    Replaced fuel pump with a Carter new unit

    Replaced carburetor with one from a small eBay rebuilder. Carb was originally for a 1973 Buick 350. They stepped the primary jets up and changed the secondary metering rods for the 400. The price was right and it runs great! Cliff currently has the carb that came with the car. This eBay carb was purchased just to be able to drive the car while Cliff has my carburetor. The seller was very supportive and made absolutely sure I was comfortable with buying one from him.

    Replaced the transmission vacuum modulator
    Added a 14" All Star Performance air cleaner lid
    Set timing for 34-degrees total, all in by 3000 RPM
    Adjusted vacuum advance for 10-degrees maximum, starting a 6-in of vacuum
    Fixed coolant leak at the from of the intake

    The car did great, except for a slight pinging (detonation) under full throttle. Since I now intend to run 89 octane non-ethanol gas only, I am going to pull a couple degrees of inicial timing out for 32-degrees total. We'll see if that cures the detonation.

    Also, the temperature got to 210 degrees in traffic. The air temp was 80F and AC was not on (haven't fixed that yet). Car currently has a new 160-degree thermostat. May look into the fan clutch and water pump next. They may very well be the originals. I know that eventually I'm going to have to replace the timing cover. The outlet to the lower hose is pretty deteriorated and the front seal leaks, too.

    All-in-all, it runs sooooo much better than the last time I took it out. Love this car! April 5 2021 Edit.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2021
  18. Buicksky

    Buicksky Gold Level Contributor

    Welcome to the Stepchild Nation. Good looking 69 GS but I am a little partial to them.
     
    FLGS400 likes this.
  19. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    It was pretty nice out here tonight, so I took a ride. Just replaced the fan clutch and it still runs around 200 degrees in 75 degree weather. Cold Case radiator showed up via UPS, right when I was getting ready to leave. Next project!
    Drive 042221.jpg
     
    PGSS likes this.
  20. Stage 2 iron

    Stage 2 iron Platinum Level Contributor

    Hopefully your new radiator will lower the temperature if not you may want to try a TA performance high-performance performance water pump.
     
    FLGS400 likes this.
  21. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Yes. If that is the case, the timing cover will be replaced with a TA Performance one, too. That will take care of the oil leak at the front seal. Plus, the stock timing cover is pretty corroded where the lower radiator hose connects to it.
     
    Stage 2 iron likes this.

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