Towed the 73 home today

[Znutz]

We we finally got a break in the lake effect snow machine this morning and towed the 73 home. First we meet the owners of over 30 years at the DMV to get an new title made and transferred. Great stories of it's past. Looks as though it spent it's whole life in Michigan.

Once done at the DMV, my son and I headed two miles away to where the Z was. We had to brush snow off it and break the tires loose from the frozen ground. It had always be stored inside or under a tarp the last 5 years, but hey didn't cover it because they knew we were coming. Once we got it rolling on to some pavement it sat real nice.

We hooked up the tow strap around both frame mounts for the front bumper. Very solid connection with the strap centered. Hooked up to my 97 Suburban (Very sweet truck I found this year, 2 wheel drive) and headed for home 6 miles away. Tested the hand brake before going and it worked great all the way there. My son said the brake pedal even worked but we didn't use it for fear of creating a leak.

The look on my son's face, while towing, was priceless. He weaved it around some to check the suspension and said it was tight. He said it took the bumps very well. Tires were flat spotted from sitting but had plenty of tread and air.

I had to go to work so he let it sit in the sun all afternoon to melt and dry off the snow. He spent time taking some books and parts out so he could get to the spare tire well. Once he pulled the tire out he said the well was spotless!

Next he removed the battery and found the tray in awesome condition! Yeah! This ride is looking more and more true to it's 39,000 miles!

Hopefully we will get the fuel system cleaned out and ready for fresh gas soon.

We do think we have one cylinder with a ring froze. The owner said he had two cylinders with low compression due to setting. he got one to free up. He used transmission fluid to free it up. we're going to have to borrow my mechanics compression gauge to see how the other cylinder goes. I would like to free it up before an initial brief run, if it will electrically fire up.

[Captain_Zeros]

Congrats! Your story reminds me a lot of my '73! Except mine had always been stored inside or under a tarp for ten years before not being covered because I was coming to get it .... oh, and no snow, lovely west coast springtime for me.

Good call on the brakes, mine seemed good at first glance but were totally hosed after I dug a little deeper. Had to go through my whole fuel system from tank to carbs and my whole brake system from pedal to wheels. Clutch hydraulics too!

Put in the time and elbow grease and you'll have yourself a car to be proud of before you know it!

[Willoughby Z]

No photos? Didn't happen... :cheeky:

[FastWoman]

Outstanding! Congratulations to you and your son!

[240260280z]

Make sure the oil bar is flowing oil on all 12 cam lobes before you fire it. (cranking with plugs out is a good way to check.

[GeoJoe]