New owner of a 73 with 46000 miles. Can't wait to get her cleaned up.

Need some help from u folks out there to get her right.

Needs wheels and tires, any suggestions? What was original for this car?

Engine runs great! Any suggestions on perking her up? Nothing to radical, maybe a header or something. Just getting started. Thanks friends!

Post pics!

Your original wheels were a steel rim - 14 X 4.5 with 0 offset, tires were probably 175/75 or possibly 185/70. New wheels and tires are what you like and can afford. Try to avoid extremes that result in clearance and handling problems - stick with 0 offset or as close as possible. Lots of photos and discussions on this site.

The original cast iron exhaust manifold is very efficient, a header will have no real performance gains unless you are planning for significant engine mods.

A suggestion: build a plan for the car, area by area: body exterior including all weatherseals, interior, suspension, drivetrain, ...etc. Then establish your budget for the areas and the total car. You say you have a great running car. Enjoy it for a while and figure out where the most serious needs are and go to work there. Scattershooting all over the car can result in a mess, cost a lot of money, and result in little or no real satisfaction.

Just my humble opinion. Good luck and welcome to the group!

Jim

I have a restored 73 Z and I live in Colorado Springs, Pm me and we can get together. Manny

If the car is running, and it doesn't HAVE to have any repairs done IMMEDIATELY.... DRIVE IT FOR NOW.

If it does need some immediate repairs, find the best mechanic you can and effect those repairs ... FOR NOW. You can tackle doing them yourself LATER, then DRIVE THE CAR FOR NOW.

You're probably not going to get much driving done until the spring since you're in the prime Snow Dump region of the country, but that's when you take it out and TAKE NOTE of things you do/don't like and what "feels" weird etc.

Then, with those notes of observations, repair/replace those items that are Safety and/or Mechanical in nature first. Gauge their importance properly. While the brakes may squeal, if you don't have seat belts functioning properly, you're more likely to get a ticket for not having the belts than for the brakes squealing. However, if the brakes are scoring the rotors/drums, then you really need the brakes done before they cause even more repairs/ replacements.

Appearance items can be done bit by bit, but keep in mind that a pretty car in the boneyard.... is stupidity at it's maximum. Although those of us who peruse the boneyards love to find them.... they're great sources of upgrade parts.

Finally after ensuring the mechanical systems of the car are all functioning properly, and you've verified all safety items, then progress to beautifying your car as you see fit. Just remember that one man's "mild modification" is another man's "molestation" to use the vernacular preferred by some. But it is YOUR car, do what it takes to make you proud of it... and DRIVE IT.

FWIW

E

I have a restored 73 Z and I live in Colorado Springs, Pm me and we can get together. Manny

Wow Manny, another Springer to help you set up tents and tables and chairs for the big do next summer, huh?

Bruce It will happen. Looking forward to it. Will start planning after the holidays, Merry Christmas

Edited November 30, 201113 yr by manny1973
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Yea man, give me a call. Need some help. Thanks. Tom

Sorry, 719-248-5723

Welcome to the site - get some photos up when you get a chance!