A few minor upgrades for my new wagon

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   Being in a wheelchair it can be a bit of a PITA to work on my vehicles unless they are on  lift and it is something underneath.  Before I bought my new '70 Rebel wagon, I knew it had a minor fuel leak near the carb, and possibly some carb issues.  I noticed a manual choke had been added as well. (you guys confirmed that was not a factory item, I figured it was not. Thanks!) Has the 304 V8.
I had a local retied GM engineer who does work on a friend's wife's 1972 beetle, stop by. He comes highly recommended for working on all sorts of local classics. He does it out of the love for the cars, not the cash best I can tell.  

We fired her up, backed her out, and popped the hood and removed the air cleaner.

Before we even did this, it was clear the manual choke lever/cable that had been added at some point was quite seized up. 

We confirmed this at the carb end as well. (still has its AM tag on it, a motorcraft carb of all things)  The accelerator pump or pump(s) were also doing zilch. 

We checked the throttle shaft for any slack, It was quite tight in its bores. 

So, I am going to have him rebuild the carb for me next week, and add an electric choke. 

I figured while we were at it, I'd have him drop convert the distributor from Points to electronic ignition, and change the plugs and wires too if they need it. 

 Broken down cars are more of a PITA for me than the average bear, because not only do I have to get the car towed, I have to get a car to the scene I can get in and out of to transport me, since I cannot walk or stand and there is a snowflake's chance in heck of me getting in a giant tow truck.  I did ride right in the car on a friends trailer once ;) 

I like to drive my cars whenever the weather cooperates and there isn't salt on the ground here in the great white north, so anything to improve the drivability is a plus. 

Ed says he is big stickler for well functioning brakes, so he is also going to pop the wheels off and check them out to make sure there are no bad leaking wheel cylinders, etc. 

Also going to adjust (one) and fix (the other) latches on the dual-function tailgate, as it also opens like a door as well. Or is supposed to. 

Nothing too crazy, more or less a carb rebuild and a tuneup. Can you guys think of anything else that should be addressed while hes in there?

   Thanks!

  - Rudy 

Edited by 1970GroceryGetter - May/12/2021 at 7:07pm

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1970GroceryGetter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Apr/05/2021 Location: Detroit Status: Offline Points: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote 1970GroceryGetter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: A few minor upgrades for my new wagon Posted: May/12/2021 at 7:05pm
	Being in a wheelchair it can be a bit of a PITA to work on my vehicles unless they are on lift and it is something underneath. Before I bought my new '70 Rebel wagon, I knew it had a minor fuel leak near the carb, and possibly some carb issues. I noticed a manual choke had been added as well. (you guys confirmed that was not a factory item, I figured it was not. Thanks!) Has the 304 V8. I had a local retied GM engineer who does work on a friend's wife's 1972 beetle, stop by. He comes highly recommended for working on all sorts of local classics. He does it out of the love for the cars, not the cash best I can tell. We fired her up, backed her out, and popped the hood and removed the air cleaner. Before we even did this, it was clear the manual choke lever/cable that had been added at some point was quite seized up. We confirmed this at the carb end as well. (still has its AM tag on it, a motorcraft carb of all things) The accelerator pump or pump(s) were also doing zilch. We checked the throttle shaft for any slack, It was quite tight in its bores. So, I am going to have him rebuild the carb for me next week, and add an electric choke. I figured while we were at it, I'd have him drop convert the distributor from Points to electronic ignition, and change the plugs and wires too if they need it. Broken down cars are more of a PITA for me than the average bear, because not only do I have to get the car towed, I have to get a car to the scene I can get in and out of to transport me, since I cannot walk or stand and there is a snowflake's chance in heck of me getting in a giant tow truck. I did ride right in the car on a friends trailer once ;) I like to drive my cars whenever the weather cooperates and there isn't salt on the ground here in the great white north, so anything to improve the drivability is a plus. Ed says he is big stickler for well functioning brakes, so he is also going to pop the wheels off and check them out to make sure there are no bad leaking wheel cylinders, etc. Also going to adjust (one) and fix (the other) latches on the dual-function tailgate, as it also opens like a door as well. Or is supposed to. Nothing too crazy, more or less a carb rebuild and a tuneup. Can you guys think of anything else that should be addressed while hes in there? Thanks! - Rudy Edited by 1970GroceryGetter - May/12/2021 at 7:07pm

232jav3sp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/09/2013 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 2451	Post Options Post Reply Quote 232jav3sp Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May/12/2021 at 8:18pm
	Love those Rebel wagons! Glad you have found someone to wrench on it. We look forward to your progress.

amxdreamer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/30/2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 8511	Post Options Post Reply Quote amxdreamer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May/12/2021 at 9:29pm
	I agree, long roofs are cool!
	Tony Vancouver, BC 1970 AMX 1972 Badassador AMO#10333

rang-a-stang Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Nut Joined: Sep/25/2018 Location: Camarillo, CA Status: Offline Points: 272	Post Options Post Reply Quote rang-a-stang Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May/13/2021 at 10:59am
	What a cool write up! Thanks for posting! you got any more pictures? Let us know how all the mods/fixes he does makes your car drive.
	79 Cherokee, 401

1970GroceryGetter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Apr/05/2021 Location: Detroit Status: Offline Points: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote 1970GroceryGetter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May/13/2021 at 5:33pm
	Testing 123.... not sure I have enough posts yet to post pictures... https://i.imgur.com/8qxgF3F.jpg - https://i.imgur.com/8qxgF3F.jpg

rebelxxxxxxx Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: Oct/10/2020 Location: Medina, Ohio Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote rebelxxxxxxx Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May/15/2021 at 11:21am
	What a beautiful car!!

1970GroceryGetter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Apr/05/2021 Location: Detroit Status: Offline Points: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote 1970GroceryGetter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May/15/2021 at 11:25am
	Thanks Rebelxxxxxx.....! I dig it! Parts are in, off to get fixed tomorrow, with any luck I’ll be at the Sunday Cruise at bakers of Milford in Milford Mi next Sunday :)

Bruce Clarkson Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Feb/09/2013 Location: New Bern, NC Status: Offline Points: 538	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bruce Clarkson Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May/16/2021 at 9:46am
	I enjoyed the picture of your wagon. We're driving a 68 Ambo wagon. We drive the wheels off it! I hope you get your together and have at least half as much fun as we're having with ours. Good luck, Bruce Clarkson
	Bruce Clarkson

1970GroceryGetter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Apr/05/2021 Location: Detroit Status: Offline Points: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote 1970GroceryGetter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May/16/2021 at 8:24pm
	Thanks Bruce! Would love to see it!