rocketraider

Well- NASCAR isn't really about racing anymore. Like most pro sports, it's about personalities and merchandising as much as anything. And some of them deal with it like other pro athletes, it goes to their heads. Not Ward. He's the same as he's been all these years. Give him a shotgun or a fishing pole and he's happy. Used to trap a lot too.<P>I grew up with Ward's older brother Brian, who still runs the family construction business. Ward gives a lot back to the community- he's in the schools constantly, works with Ducks Unlimited and is a true conservationist. A good guy, and no matter who your favorite driver is, one deserving of a break such as winning Daytona.

Justin, it's possible your 78 Toronado has anti-lock brakes. Option JL9. Look under the rear of the car and see if there are wires going to the rear hubs, with a toothed wheel on the axle. If so it's an ABS car. They were on the rear only those years, and used the same technology used today.<P>I have a 78 factory chassis manual, I'll look thru it and see what it sez about the ABS.<P>A lot of people don't realise ABS and airbags were offered by GM in those years. All this hype the foreign manufacturers scream about, well, there's nothing new under the sun. More innovation from the people who brought you the Rocket engine and HydraMatic transmission, as well as Tilt-Away steering.<P>AND OF COURSE, THE FIRST MODERN FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AMERICAN CAR!!<BR> <p>[ 02-21-2002: Message edited by: rocketraider ]

BuickNut- Well put! I never feel so alive as when I'm in my 1964 Starfire...

Tony, you have hit on one of my sore spots!<BR>It has always bothered me that someone would desecrate a nice old car for drivetrain, front clip, options etc just because it's a four door and not worth much in their estimation. And I can't tell you how many nice Toronados, Starfires and Ninety Eights I've seen abandoned, relieved of their big-blocks so someone could have it for their Cutlass.<P>Friend and I had a serious row over this when he bought a loaded, running 65 Caprice Sport Sedan to get parts for his totalled 65 Impala Sport Coupe- which was so far gone it should have been crushed anyway, there's a time to realise all the love in the world can't save something. The Caprice was in as good shape as the E-Bay Sixty appears to be, with low miles and a perfect interior. I could not get him to leave the Caprice alone and give it a light restoration. "It's a four door. I ain't drivin' no four door." So a car that should have gone to the junkyard is now restored, and a beautiful, rare Chevy is stripped of its glory, slowly settling into the ground- just because it had four doors. <P>I make sure my 76 Ninety Eight Regency 4-door sedan is parked next to his Chevy at cruise nights, and with its hardtop lines and fancy Super Stock IV Polycast wheels, danged if it doesn't get more attention than the Chevy. Justice served...<P>Glenn Williamson<BR>the Rocketraider

Well- the Buick is a 455. The Town Car is what, a 302 with a catalytic converter? Lotta difference in the size of these cars' balls...<P>The piping isn't hitting the underbody anywhere? Is the Kepich piping physically larger than OEM? What you're hearing is resonance and/or a harmonic frequency that is there all the time, just shows up more when you hit certain RPM ranges and exhaust flows. If the noise is unbearable, try installing a resonator. If that doesn't solve it, you may need to hunt for an NOS GM muffler.

John- here is salvation. Contact Greg Kalkhoff, Toro website administrator, at Sparkman@wi.rr.com. The man understands Toronado and most importantly, QuadraJets. Offers Q-Jet rebuild service too. Link back to the OCA site, go to Local Chapters, then find the link to the Toronado group. From there you can link to Sparky's own website and see examples of what he can do turning a QuadraJunk into a properly functioning QuadraJet.

The radios changed to flat-face when the 98 and 88 were downsized in 1985 and 1986. The Custom Cruiser used two-shaft radios at least thru 1986, and maybe later. I know the Buick, Pontiac and Chevrolet versions all used the Chevy dash starting around 87-88 and they used flat-face. I can't remember what the 87-90 Cruisers used because I rarely see one. <P>I found a couple of early-80s 2-shaft Delco electronic-tune AM-FM-cassette radios and put one in my 1976 Regency.

Ward Burton hasn't done too badly for a kid from South Boston VA- decent guy to boot, and hasn't changed a bit. Some of you I'm sure would have trouble understanding his Sooth Booston accent. (I grew up there, so I understand it well- of course I speak it too)<P>We're 30 miles west of South Boston, and we can hear the racket all the way up here! Hometown hero!

I have the original 1974 Oldsmobile Tech Bulletins set where they announced that, starting 3rd week of April 1974, all the A-body cars would begin using the aluminum body wiring harness. I count myself very fortunate that my 1974 Hurst/Olds was built the week before they started that nonsense!<P>The Al wiring harnesses were then phased into the other series cars, and my 1976 Regency has it. And being a total-electric car, I have some concerns about the Al wiring. I notice one thing frequently- the power seat motors will dim the lights when activated, even with a 70 amp alternator and engine running. The 69 Toronado with copper wiring doesn't.<P>.4 lb weight savings in a 5000 lb car seems like a stupid way to compromise reliability and safety for the sake of saving a couple bucks.

Agreed on 4150/4160 series Holley, Moepar- and the Edelbrock Performer AFB is a better street carb. Trouble here is neither will fit a 1st series Toronado due to the super low intake profile and low hood line. But Holley and Edelbrock both make new QuadraJets now, and everything I've heard on them has been positive. <P>Last summer, I was driving my Toronado home from the Olds Club Southeast Zone show in Nashville TN when I got hung up in construction traffic east of Asheville on I40. Two miles in 45 minutes was just a bit too slow for me so I swung off at the Nebo/Lake James exit and crossed over to US70. Sure, all those little towns kept me down to about 45 mph, but I was moving (which I40 was not) and it was some beautiful country thru there. At age 45, I've realised that slowing down and taking in the scenery can be good for you. And it masde me appreciate what people heading west went thru before I40 was built.<P>John, with the knowledge and experience on these boards, we'll figure out your problem! you might want to try the <A HREF="http://www.442.com" TARGET=_blank>www.442.com</A> tech board too. Even though they're geared more toward Cutlass/442, there's unreal knowledge on there.<P>Glenn Williamson<BR>the Rocketraider

Yes, it has a 455, advertised at 400 horsepower and over 500 lb/ft torque. It's a blast to take it out on weekends and blow a teenager's mind by lighting off the front tires- when the smoke clears, they stand there with their jaws on the pavement. They can't believe the old guy with the old car just did that, and with the front wheels! Then I will sometimes offer to show the hotrod Honda crowd how a FWD burnout is properly done...<P>Back to the thread. What brand fuel pumps are you using? I've had good luck with Airtex and Carter aftermarkets, and an AC-Delco jobber should be able to get you an OEM fuel pump for a lot less than the c-note Kanter is asking. I buy from Kanter when I can't find it anywhere else, because it seems they are more expensive just because it's for something old.<P>Even though your fuel lines backblow clean, check the metal lines closely for crimping. They run outside the RH frame rail (what a brilliant place to put them!) and are kinda vulnerable. A new fuel pump should be able to suck fuel from the tank in a few seconds and prime itself and the carb if there's no restriction in the fuel supply lines.<P>But then, I'm having much the same problem as yours with a 1964 Starfire- new rubber lines, new fuel pump and filter, lines backblown clean, and I cannot get any fuel to that rotten Rochester 4GC. I hate the thought of pulling that carb down again, but to get the car running, guess I'll have to.

Centurion- also remind your friend that the 2003 OCA Nationals will be in Cincinnati- close to home! And even closer for me than the last two years have been! almost dreading the drive to Lansing this year... or I will until I get in the car and get about 75 miles from home, then I'll start loving it!

Janet- tried to e-mail you privately and was blocked, so here goes.<P>4-H dropped its automotive project (in VA and NC anyway) nearly 15 years ago and I had always hoped they'd restart it. I was Virginia State Automotive Project winner in 1973, so the idea is close to home. I kept some connections at VPI&SU and tried unsuccessfully to get the state 4-H staff to rebuild Automotive, but it seems 4-H has changed its priorities and this one is way down the list.<P>Would appreciate being kept posted on any AACA/4H liaison that may develop.<P>Glenn Williamson<BR>AACA 955031<BR>OCA 10983, NAOC 3239<BR>and Virginia 4H All Star

Justin, since adding the extra PCV valve do you still have a fresh air intake port for the PCV system? The oil filler cap/breather served that purpose on the old open systems.<BR>Engine needs a crankcase fresh air intake.<P>Later "closed" PCV systems took the fresh air from inside the aircleaner housing so if you had some blowby, it got sucked into the carb instead of blowing to atmosphere.

First- what series Walker did you get? They were/are a GM OEM supplier, but an aftermarket universal type muffler will usually not be as quiet as OEM. <P>Did you put the resonator on? <P>Combination of the above will often cause a booming noise in exhaust, or at least it did on my 1976 Olds Regency after I had a custom dual system sans resonators put on (I actually don't mind it-gives the old beast a little attitude).<P>Last- the OEM wye and headpipes on most all GM cars in that era were a pipe-within-a-pipe design that quietened them down a lot. I doubt any aftermarket supplier does that.

No, John, stand up comedy isn't my strong suit- I'm told my wit is way too dry for such! I have referred to Toronados as Toro-saurus since I got my 1969 W34 way back in 1986. They kinda have that thunder lizard look to them, do you agree?<P>I don't think the tank vent system is your problem, since you have vent lines in place and they appear to be open to atmospheric pressure. Two carbs doing the same thing leads me to believe: fuel pump not pumping to capacity, or fuel filter plugged or installed backwards. Another thing that _could_ affect this is distributor mechanical advance weights sticking or advance mechanism completely inoperative.<BR> <BR>And on a 1966 Toronado- the switch-pitch torque converter blades could be stuck in the wrong angle- check the downshift/pitch switch located at the rear of the engine and make sure all wires are plugged up good and if necessary, have it checked with a test light. If it does this when you floor the pedal, the switch could be bad, blades stick in wrong angle, and the sudden lugging load on the engine could be enough to stall it.<P>Good luck. Old front-drivers can be a joy or a pain, depending on what mood the lizard is in...

The "Mirror Map Lamp" option was generally an Olds thing and seems like most of them 68-72 had it- every one I've ever owned came with it. Always thought it odd that the Fiber-Optic lamp monitor was available only on cars at extreme ends of the GM price schedule, and especially odd that gadget-master Oldsmobile, who were obsessed with lighting options, didn't offer it. Guess it was too simple for them- they came out with the "Electronic Lamp Monitoring System" in 1971, which wasn't near as simple or effective and only flashed a "Lamp Monitor" idiot light on the dash. Then YOU had to walk around the car and figure out which lamp was burned out. I've had a couple with this option too, and couldn't understand why they didn't use the fiber-optics until late 1970s. Probably because they didn't invent it... shades of DynaFlow!

What scares me is that, being a dyed-in-the-wool Southerner, I like butter biscuits and molasses for breakfast. If molasses eats away rust, what is it doing to my innards?!

I'm guessing that over the years this large two-piece hood has spread laterally at the center flange. If I remember right from my uncle's many-years-ago 51 Roadmaster, there are braces at front and rear of hood from the flange to the outer edges. Have you thought about putting a turnbuckle in these braces so you can draw in the lower hood edges away from the fenders? How much gap do you presently have?<P>I sympathise about scratching up new paint, but there is a solution somewhere. Look to the street rod guys- they're always innovating solutions to b-s like this, and several have done early 50s Buicks. You mentioned a gas lift, so I assume you're willing to sacrifice some originality for functionality.

Chris, look back thru the OCA forums. A fellow in Louisiana is parting a 1960 Ninety Eight sedan that uses same engine wiring harness as your 88, if he'll ship it internationally.<P>OCA linked you here, but try <A HREF="http://www.antiqueolds.org." TARGET=_blank>www.antiqueolds.org.</A> This is the National Antique Olds Club and specialises in pre-1964 Olds. At one time, they had a Sixty Owners chapter.

Next question- does the vent line have a small square plastic gizmo with an open tube on it at the fuel filler? If it does, the fuel tank has been replaced at some time or other with a 68-70 tank, but this change won't affect driveability of the car.<P>There are several things on a QuadraJet that can cause problems like this- the secondary air flaps, secondary lockout lever (which is tied into the choke and fast idle linkages, so if they're off adjustment, the secondaries won't even open), low float level, secondary metering rod hanger stuck or rods have come off it, fuel filter installed backwards (newer design has a rollover check valve built into it, and if it's installed backwards it won't allow enough fuel to pass to supply hard acceleration- should be installed with the hole at the fuel line end of the inlet fitting), and 66 used a weird float needle and seat that used to cause all kinds of problems, notably flooding and resulting fires. Sometimes they're updated, sometimes not. <P>A QuadraJet is a fine carburetor adjusted and working right but can be a real pain if not. If all else fails, for the difference in money and aggravation, I'd get a Holley or Edelbrock brand new replacement QuadraJet. It'll have the side fuel inlet (correct for your 66) and should bolt on with a minimum of fine-tuning required. Most of the applications are Chevy and generic, but get one for big-block and it should feed your Toro-saurus adequately.

The return line doesn't loop up thru the trunk floor- that line is the tank vent system and if it's not functioning properly can cause fuel starvation. The disc you're describing is a factory vapor lock fix- in Olds-speak, it is a fuel pulsator dome and its purpose is to keep the fuel pump fully charged with gasoline so it doesn't try to pump air. Same thing a return-to-tank line is supposed to do, but Toro underhood temperatures were so high the fuel would boil in the lines. <P>What was the original reason to replace the carb? Did the original one do this too, or just start after installing the RB? I think you have fuel pressure/flow or float level problems. If the secondary airflaps open too quick it will cause a hard bog- or is that what you're trying to describe as vaporlock?

Glad things worked out, but this is the first time I've heard of new NAPA electrical parts being defective. Then again, we haven't had a NAPA here in close to 15 years, closest ones are 20 miles away, so things may have changed with them since I bought from them.

Give me a tilt steering column, cruise control and a good FM radio and I can be quite content in a car. <P>Why hasn't anyone mentioned those damned locking wire wheel covers?!

Well- look where he is. Sixtys aren't exactly common in the States anymore; I can imagine how scarce they are in UK.<P>It's like a car buddy at work observed just today- we live in a fairly kind area weatherwise, no salt or corrosives on the roads in winter. A car that WE would scrap as a rustbucket, is a restorable car in the salt belt. <P>And by the way- my workmate was born in England, raised since age 13 in US and has a Mini for his toy. Cheers, mate!