New Owner of A '79 and I have Questions...

[mgwizdek]

Hello All,

I just purchased a 1979. I am in the process of learning as much as I can about the car, but I need a little help. There is a lot of information on this site and I have done some searching but haven't really found a topic addressing my questions.

I bought the car for my wife to drive to and from work with on nice days. The previous owner did not do a timing belt, but said that the person he bought it from claimed they did (but there is no proof). Also, there seems to be a small oil leak possibly from the head gasket.

My question to all of you is, what general maintenance do you recommend I do to make this a reliable driver for my wife? Timing belt, water pump, seals, gaskets, etc. I don't mind spending a few hundred dollars to make it reliable plus I enjoy the work. Also, are there any upgrades you suggest I do?

I apologize if this has been covered before, I'm always open to links to previous threads.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

[azruss]

I would drive it first to see how it operates. Starts easily, brakes in a straight line, steering doesnt pull one way or another, no smoke on start up or decell, pops out of gear when you hit the gas. Check the engine bay for oil and coolant leaks. Look to see if the hoses are cracked or swollen. Does the car run at temperature or does it run hot. Does the heater leak at the valve. Evaluate the condition before you decide to throw money at it. Since you dont know the history of the timing belt, that is a good idea. Tensioner bearing may be worthwhile looking at while you are in there. I basic tune up so you can see how the plugs look and of course fluid change, oil, tranny, diff, brake fluid.

[narfire]

Also, there seems to be a small oil leak possibly from the head gasket.

If there is oil on the exhaust side, it might be coming from one of the two top exhaust manifold studs. These stud holes go through into the cam tower and oil can/will seep through over time.
AZRUSS covered many of the points but I'll add swap out the rubber donut on the drive shaft if it has not been replaced recently. Those can crack with time and occasionally will let go letting the drive shaft beat the inside of the tunnel to death.
Check any rubber cloth covered fuel lines as well. They deteriorate and will leak.

[vandor]

Definitely check the ignition pickup wires under the distributor cap. They get cooked by exhaust head and lose their insulation.

[ORFORD2004]

Let the wife run the reliable family car and keep the fun for you since is not reliable

[mgwizdek]

I would drive it first to see how it operates. Starts easily, brakes in a straight line, steering doesnt pull one way or another, no smoke on start up or decell, pops out of gear when you hit the gas. Check the engine bay for oil and coolant leaks. Look to see if the hoses are cracked or swollen. Does the car run at temperature or does it run hot. Does the heater leak at the valve. Evaluate the condition before you decide to throw money at it. Since you dont know the history of the timing belt, that is a good idea. Tensioner bearing may be worthwhile looking at while you are in there. I basic tune up so you can see how the plugs look and of course fluid change, oil, tranny, diff, brake fluid.

I actually drove the car home about 40 miles and was very pleased with how well it drove. Shifted smooth, braked in a straight line, no smoke, etc. I think I will replace the timing belt and tensioner bearing, anything else you would recommend replacing while I'm replacing the belt?

If there is oil on the exhaust side, it might be coming from one of the two top exhaust manifold studs. These stud holes go through into the cam tower and oil can/will seep through over time.

I'll have to check more closely, but if this is the issue is there a fix for this type of leak?

Thanks for all the replies so far. What about an electronic ignition? Is that a common upgrade?

Thanks,

Mike

[ORFORD2004]

Water pump

[jarmbrister]

My '79 is a daily driver all summer long. Your wife should love it.

Change the belt and anything else that looks like it's worn out.

[vandor]

A '79 should have electronic ignition from the factory.