Introduction: Grandma's Apollo

Discussion in 'The "X" bodies' started by ElainesApollo, Feb 6, 2018.

?

Keep vinyl top or delete?

  1. Keep it, it's factory!

    70.4%
  2. Shave it, too retro for today!

    29.6%
  1. My3Buicks

    My3Buicks Buick Guru

    Family cars are great to have, looks like it would have been a flashy one in it’s day. Have you found any vintage photo’s of it?
     
  2. ElainesApollo

    ElainesApollo Member

    Unfortunately no photos. Most of the photo albums were too far gone when we went through the estate. It definitely was sharp though. Still has the drag bars and true duel exhaust with glass packs from the early 80's. I also cleaned out the interior, (years of colonizing mice), and checked the wiring harnesses and fuse panel, all seem ok.
     
  3. ElainesApollo

    ElainesApollo Member

    Considering I have 1-2 volts with the key in start position, I'm leaning towards ignition. Anyone have thoughts, or suggestions, or pointers? Am I on the right track?
     
  4. partsrparts

    partsrparts Silver Level contributor

    It might be your neutral safety switch, try starting it in the neutral position and also you may have to jiggle the shifter a bit. Make sure you set the E brake and block the wheels because it may start in gear. where do you have 1-2 volts in the start position?
     
  5. Smokey15

    Smokey15 So old that I use AARP bolts.

    See if you are getting 12volts to the starter.
     
  6. ElainesApollo

    ElainesApollo Member

    Damn it, I forgot about the neutral safety! I've been wrenching on a 3 on the tree Ford so long, it never occurred to me. Come to think of it, you can shift gears with the key in the lock position. Definitely could be the issue. And 1-2 @ starter.
     
  7. 2manybuicks

    2manybuicks Founders Club Member

    I voted to lose the vinyl top, but only because it is red. No contrast.

    I would keep it but dye it or replace it with black.
     
  8. ElainesApollo

    ElainesApollo Member

    Top is currently gone, deteriorated from years of cats using it as a scratching post. Top was black. I'm leaning on going back with the vinyl, (looks cool, less body work). Wife wants me to shave the top and go with a color change, a metallic copper.
     
  9. 2manybuicks

    2manybuicks Founders Club Member

    Dude, red w black top is a nice look. Plus no hassling with filling in old holes from vinyl top trim.

    There's also a reason they call it resale red.
     
    BeatersRus and ElainesApollo like this.
  10. 69GS400s

    69GS400s ...my own amusement ride!

    If you look at the two big leads going to the starter, they will both have a piece about 1-2" from the starter lug that looks like a splice - this is a fusable link .. a "safety device" that burns up if the starter locks up and you keep the key cranked.

    They are available at auto parts stores on the HELP rack. This may be your problem
     
  11. ElainesApollo

    ElainesApollo Member

    Thanks for all the input. It is a red,black, black car, and I've decided to keep it that way. I may spice up the red a bit with some pearl/metallic, but keep it OG. I'll check the fuseable links and neutral switch and keep y'all informed once I get a chance to dive into it.
     
    2001ws6 likes this.
  12. ElainesApollo

    ElainesApollo Member

    Yes, she has a small amount of rust around the bottom window frame, another reason for replacing the top. Great thing about x bodies. Nova panels will work.
     
  13. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Loving the story of this car.:) Who added the duels and glass packs? The uncle who might of put the cam in. For him or Grandma to drive:D
    I'm seeing drums up front but thought by 73 all cars or at least GM used disc's?
     
    ElainesApollo likes this.
  14. 2manybuicks

    2manybuicks Founders Club Member

    I had not noted that it has duals and glass packs. That's pretty funny.
     
    ElainesApollo likes this.
  15. ElainesApollo

    ElainesApollo Member

    Yeah, the exhaust surprised me as well. I didn't know it until I jacked the car up to replace the cables. I'm guessing my uncle was responsible for it and the traction bars, as well as the C.B.
     
  16. ElainesApollo

    ElainesApollo Member

    So, just reached out to my baby brother, he confirmed that our uncle did say he put a hotter cam in it back in the 80's, but neither of us speak to him, so no idea of the specs on it.
     
  17. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    I'm surprised he left the original air cleaner after the cam swap and didn't do the usual chrome after market thing.. Good thing that it was a 2 barrel and probably limited him from doing it.;)
    If he did i'm pretty sure that original assembly would have been long lost..
     
  18. ElainesApollo

    ElainesApollo Member

    Update: Bypassed the NSS, the starter now engages, but I fear the engine is stuck. Best remedies?
     
  19. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Lot's of patience's.. I would think at least a week of daily spraying into the combustion chambers with a specialized penetrating oil.. Little tiny attempts of turning the crank back and forth with breaking bar after a few days of alot of spraying. Let the experts chime in.. But just warning again to not try starting at all and most likely need to re prime the oil pump.
    I would think some "might" say to pull the heads to get a better look.
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2018
  20. ElainesApollo

    ElainesApollo Member

    Pulled the starter, just to make sure it was good, and it was. So, I've poured Marvels into the cylinders, and Seafoam into the intake and crankcase. Now it's a waiting game.
     

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