A perfect example of what I'm talking about. In the other thread, the guy wants $3500 for an apparently non-running, rough, '68 Bel Air wagon. Here's a same-year Impala wagon that is in better shape and does run for less money. http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34628 For his $3150 asking price, this looks like a pretty good car.
I agree not a bad looking Wagon for the price, but does the engine hold down cable mean the motor mounts are bad, or the car was drag raced extensivly?
Cammer, I had a '63 Biscayne that would constantly break motor mounts. It got to be a real hassle changing them each year. It was a combination of having a 3.08 rear and the Powerglide with that lazy first gear. I remember once hearing the mount break from the stress of trying to accelerate briskly from a stop on a steep hill. I was ready to strap the engine down like in the pic but swapping the trans to a TH-350 solved the problem. The steeper first gear in the new trans gave me the extra torque needed. Chris
I have something similar to that on the 396 on my Caprice. I had heard that it may have been done at the dealer or a recall of some sort.
All 4 of the '66 Chevys (2 full size, 2 Novas) I've owned had that cable. I heard years ago that was done as a fix for the common problem of driver's side motor mounts breaking prematurely. It was either done by dealers or by the factory. It started with the 1966 model year. I'm thinking a campaign was done by sending a card or letter to registered owners to bring their cars to the local dealer for the install. I wouldn't be concerned that some racer installed it.
Did anyone see the photos of the driver's side quarter on that black '68 wagon? Pretty rough. This car has been on craigslist for several months. I first saw it in September with a $3800 or $3900 price tag. He doesn't seem to be getting any takers.
Yup, one of the first ever 'recalls'. I remember stocking boxes and boxes of these cables while working at a Chevy dealer parts department in the summer of 1972.
Well, I'm interested but my garage are pretty far away, Scranton PA. And really just need left rear side molding and right fender molding. Any tips on how to solve that?
In the older ads there were clear pictures of the damage and bondo on the left quarter and rear door. The seller has removed them. Just wanted to mention it. This car does seem like a solid candidate for restoration, but it will need some body work!
Yes, Chevrolet had a recall on '65-'69 vehicles pretty much across the line for this. The engine would rotate up on acceleration and pull the throttle with it- runaway acceleration was the result. When GM went to cable throttle the problem went away. The ones with the problem had the rod style throttle linkages. Put in a few of these cables, myself. I worked for a Chevy dealer in the early '70s. It was just a cable that went from the frame and wrapped around the exhaust manifold. Savvy customers new to ask for the interlocking motor mounts that didn't have that problem, because the dealer did not replace the mounts; only the restraint cable was installed. Cheap retro-fit.