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Update: now SOLD

 

I have a '78 wagon that's been sitting in my driveway for the past year while I've attempted to work on her, and I think I've just run out of time and energy—hoping that someone else can do better. Currently not running, although I think all that's needed is a tune-up. Read on for details. 

 

NOTE: The "probably for parts only" bit in the title is due to a missing piece in the chain of ownership transfer—the car has changed hands several times in the last 15 years and somewhere along the way a bill of sale has gone missing. I'm trying to hunt that down but without it titling and registering the car may not be possible. I'll update the ad if I find that. 

 

As she currently sits:

 

2016-06-03%2013.15.05_zpszllf1zu3.jpg

 

When I bought the car, I drove her home (roughly) across town. Shortly after that she stopped running. I've revived her briefly a couple of times since, and I believe that the current issues are due to timing being off. I've replaced a LOT of parts in the past year. Here's what's new:

  • Brand new Weber carb
  • Distributor cap and rotor
  • Distributor points
  • Spark plugs and wires
  • Vacuum lines
  • Fuel filter
  • Battery and terminals
  • Ignition coil
  • Voltage regulator
  • Alternator
  • Coolant overflow tank

There's probably more as well. My work has mostly been documented here and here. When running, the clutch is fine, transmission shifts well, 4WD works, brakes work, electrical systems function as best I could test them (except for windshield wipers, which may even be something as small as a fuse), and she doesn't overheat. There's very little rust, and what there is appears to be mostly on the surface—the left front fender rusted through in one spot, but otherwise everything seems to be pretty solid. Odometer reads 76,984 but it's only got 5 digits, and I have no idea if it's rolled over or not. Title reads "exempt" from 1999 so I would assume it has.

 

Notable problems (aside from the bit about not running):

  • Parking brake only works partially. Won't hold on a steep hill. May just need adjustment.
  • Rear seat back bolts broke when I tried to remove them. The seat back is out and the mounting holes are plugged. Will need to be drilled out to reinstall the seat. 
  • Windshield wipers didn't work. I haven't tried to diagnose the problem.
  • Exhaust is rusted out somewhere near the front.

There are probably more of these as well—it's been a while since I've done much with the car and my memory is fading. Suffice it to say this is a project at best.

 

In addition to the car, I will include:

  • Two full sets of wheels, both of which can be seen on the car in the pictures. The grey ones came with it and are stock size, with tires that are usable but not good. The black ones were purchased separately, and require spacers in the rear (also included). Three of them have good tires, the fourth one is badly worn but still usable for now. I've cleaned up and done a fresh coat of plastidip on two of the black wheels (the ones currently off the car). Happy to throw in a can of that for the fronts as well if you'd like.
  • Any of the old parts you'd like, including the old Hitachi carb and stock air cleaner. Not sure if the others will be useful, but you're welcome to them. 
  • Some random spare parts—I have a fresh oil filter, thermostat, a second set of spark plug wires, a distributor, probably some other stuff.
  • A full skid plate and bull bar, which has been cleaned and plastidipped so it looks fairly nice. 

I'd like to get $750 for the full package. I realize this may be a bit high for a non-running car, and I'm happy to negotiate, but if it goes too low I'm going to sell at least the carb separately, and probably the skid plate and second set of wheels as well. 

 

Would probably be best to trailer her out, although in theory there's no reason you couldn't flat tow as well. Located in SE Portland, Oregon.

 

More pictures:

 

2016-06-03%2013.15.13%20HDR-2_zpspymvt2i

 

2016-06-03%2013.15.19%20HDR-2_zpstuutrim

 

2016-06-03%2013.15.42_zpsvmwov9ey.jpg

 

2016-06-03%2013.15.54%20HDR-2_zpspb0lfd3

 

2016-06-03%2013.16.03%20HDR_zps12uybko3.

 

2016-06-03%2013.16.14%20HDR-2_zpsepk6pqu

 

2016-06-03%2013.16.30%20HDR_zps0etk8ou9.

 

2016-06-03%2013.36.40%20HDR_zpsl5pmeuhn.

 

IMG_3834.JPG-1_zps85q1zjdo.jpeg

 

IMG_2939_zps8d19vibb.jpg

Edited by jnorion
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If you decide to sell the skid plate and the front bull bar I would be interested.. Will need shipped to Florida.. Greyhound is the way to go for shipping big items like the bull bar... If you dont want to ship the bar Ill still take the skidplate if you part with it...Good luck!!  You can email me at tbag1331@yahoo.com..

Edited by biffanyus
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I'm not in a huge hurry to get rid of it and the reason I'm going this route is because I don't have a ton of time, so it'll probably be a bit before I seriously consider parting it out. However, if I do get to that point..

 

If you decide to sell the skid plate and the front bull bar I would be interested.. Will need shipped to Florida.. Greyhound is the way to go for shipping big items like the bull bar... If you dont want to ship the bar Ill still take the skidplate if you part with it...Good luck!!  You can email me at tbag1331@yahoo.com..

 

The skid plate is a custom thing that's welded to the bull bar—no shipping one without the other. If I end up parting it out I don't mind shipping it, but it probably won't be cheap. I would estimate the whole thing as around 70–80 pounds. 

 

 

Rear bumper for me.

 

How's the upper section of that back seat? Is the backside top vinyl in decent shape?

 

How much for the Weber if you do part it out?

 

I bought the Weber new on Amazon for $260 and has a total of about 30 minutes and zero miles of use on it, so I'd like to get a good chunk of that back if possible. Probably $200 + shipping? If I do end up parting I'll come up with a more final number.

 

EDIT: Whoops, just realized I skipped the question about the back seat. The upper section is in the same condition as the lower—very clean, very little wear. Much better than the front seats. Here's a picture from when I first brought it home:

 

2015-05-30%2017.58.56_zpsltr1loog.jpg

Edited by jnorion
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Yeah but it's the back side , upper vinyl that gets beaten from cargo. Got a pic of that?

 

And can we consider that rust we see the only rust? How's the wheel arches (aprons)? And the rocker panels just rear of the front wheels?

Does that mustache bar for the rear diff. have decent bushings or like most of ours - not healthy?

 

Like I said , it's not a great time for me but my 78 does need to be replaced soon. And that info posted will really help other potential vintage victims.

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Yeah but it's the back side , upper vinyl that gets beaten from cargo. Got a pic of that?

 

Ah, got it, I misunderstood what you were asking. The back side has definitely met with some cargo in its lifetime, but not falling apart badly:

 

2016-06-05%2016.19.34_zpsy9lvqvml.jpg

 

And can we consider that rust we see the only rust? How's the wheel arches (aprons)? And the rocker panels just rear of the front wheels?

 

The rust you see is not the only rust, but it's representative of what's there. There's a fair amount that is strictly surface rust, ugly but cleanable, like this:

 

2016-06-05%2016.21.27%20HDR-2_zpsl21fijd

 

2016-06-05%2016.22.34%20HDR-2_zpsmybze6p

 

There are a few places where it's worn through, but not in a way that's structurally compromising:

 

2016-06-05%2016.21.40-1_zpsflxeexjr.jpg

 

2016-06-05%2016.22.59_zpsmr5yddlo.jpg

 

The wheel arches look pretty good—some rust, definitely, but still appears to be mostly surface:

 

2016-06-05%2016.22.20_zpsv0ds0va1.jpg

 

2016-06-05%2016.22.41%20HDR-2_zpsogepzdm

 

2016-06-05%2016.22.25_zpsuorfvgej.jpg

 

Rocker panels in front of the rear wheels have seen better days but are still intact:

 

2016-06-05%2016.22.13%20HDR-2_zpslgbs3fl

 

Spare tire well is in similar condition—some rust, but seems to be structurally sound:

 

2016-06-05%2016.23.53%20HDR_zpsybd50f9z.

 

And the underside has very little rust at all:

 

2016-06-05%2016.25.17_zpsh4srau6g.jpg

 

2016-06-05%2016.24.51_zpscn2hcmwe.jpg

 

Does that mustache bar for the rear diff. have decent bushings or like most of ours - not healthy?

 

The mustache bar bushings are somewhere between "bad" and "nonexistent":

 

2016-06-05%2016.24.31_zpscvoinrmi.jpg

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Before the mfg date of maybe Oct 77 or so they used the U joint axles.

 

That large skid plate was an option. I have one too somewhere in my stuff. You said it was welded but it wasn't originally. It bolts to the tranny crossmember and the iron 2x4 front end protector like on my 78.

 

Good luck with it ! One sweet front bar and plate there. To me that's worth easily $250 right there.

Cheers!

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Yeah, I think I was mistaken about the welds... I hadn't looked at it closely in a while. The skid plate itself is bolted to the bottom of the bull bar. I believe the side bars are custom, though, as a way to hook it up to tow behind an RV or something. 

 

2016-06-05%2016.20.59%20HDR-2_zpsqsothtm

 

2015-05-30%2018.02.46_zpsxqukxjww.jpg

Edited by jnorion
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  • 2 weeks later...

I'll buy some parts off of it. I'm in Portland too. When are you available. I'm free mon-fri after 6pm. or weekends.

 

text me @ 971-255-2970

 

I'm still hoping to send the whole thing out the door as a package, although that hope is slowly fading with time—not quite ready to start dismantling it yet, though. What parts are you looking for?

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I'm still hoping to send the whole thing out the door as a package, although that hope is slowly fading with time—not quite ready to start dismantling it yet, though. What parts are you looking for?

 

interior bits and taillights.

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