Hello from South Florida!

Hello everyone! I'm John and I've recently been given the awesome responsibility of caring for the ol' family wagon. I was 4 when my Dad (also John) bought a new 1974 Chevy Caprice Estate wagon. He kept that car in great shape (no small feat with 4 kids...) & managed to never drive it a single western NY winter. Being a sentimental kinda guy, he never could bring himself to part with it, until now.

I'm looking forward to being a member here...gotta learn all I can to keep this piece of family history in top shape!

 

Welcome, good for you having family history with your wagon

 

Very Cool! That's great that the wagon has been with your family its entire life. What are your plans for it - any modifications? What engine does it have?

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

from NW Florida----That's great to have a piece of your families history. Good luck on restoring and enjoying the wagon.

 

Very cool wagon John. Can't wait to see the pics and hear some more stories about it.

 

Can't tell for sure with the big old reliable oatmeal box shaped compressor in the way, but I'm guessing its a 350?

 

Welcome! I AM NEW HERE ALLSO and have found It's a great place to find help, HAVE some fun and talk wagons,with great pepole and of course share , stay safe, stay cool

 

welcome to the board...i used to live on south florida...where abouts are you ?

 

to the wagon train, Lap. I LOVE it when wagons are cared for over the years and stay in the same family...passed on to the kids. Looks like your dad really did take care of it...great pix.

 

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

The engine is the original 4-bbl Turbo Fire V8, which I believe is a 350, as MotoMike mentioned. I don't currently have any plans to modify the car, but I have noticed it runs fairly hot. Wasn't an issue up north, but driving around Lake Worth has me worried it might not be cooling correctly. My Dad brought it in for a tune up & coolant flush before we left Rochester, so I assumed everything was OK...

 

If you take it to a radiator specialty shop, they should be able to tell you if there is a problem with the radiator. Sometimes a simple flush won't do the trick if it has a lot of gunk in it.

Your wagon looks great with the copper exterior and buckskin interior. It's in amazing condition.

 

1) Radiator full?, 2) thermostat not opening properly/fully?, 3) old rad hoses, possibly collapsing while driving?, 4) water pump impeller worn out?(they usually start leaking first I believe), 5) radiator obstructed by something flush dislodged and didn't remove?, 6) fan belt slipping?, 7) fan clutch worn out?

 

Great advice. After checking all of the above install a new thermostat just for fun.

 

now thats an HIERLOOM !!

to the joint and congrats on getting the handmedown