1978 New Yorker, thoughts?

[mckinnon45]

Hey guys, I am new to the site, so hello, and secondly, if this is in the wrong area please let me know. I am wanting to get some opinions on this car I picked up recently. It has the Lean Burn System on it, and doesn't run properly. The dealer was using carb cleaner to get it to load onto my trailer. I'm sure alot of this has to do with the 4 year old gas in the tank, but I was looking for some other thoughts, or things to watch for in the engine.
Some specs:
4 door
27,000 original miles
440
The VIN is the "S" series, what does the "special" series have that's better or different than the premium, etc.
What may this car be worth?
I have a few blurry pictures, I'll get better ones once I get back to the car.

Thanks for looking!

 

[1978 NYB]

Welcome aboard!!! Very nice 78! There's a conversion kit that Summit and JEG's sells to convert it. I won't have a part number until I get home tonight. You might want to replace the Thermoquad carb with a Edlebrook or Holley carb. I know that Edelbrook has a 600 cfm electric choke PN# 1406 or you can use a Edelbrook 750 cfm carb (I don't know the PN# off the top of my head). Or you can use a Holley somewhere between 650 - 750 cfm. You'll have to drain and clean up the gas tank and replace the fuel filter.

 

[polara71]

:sSig_welcometoourcl............Very nice car..love the color. Stan will be all over this

 

[goodneighbour]

Survivor!

Wow, amazing piece of iron there! Get rid of the lean burn but leave the ugly air cleaner. You can tune that thermobog to work just as well as the rest. Besides there meant for cruzin, not poundin!

 

[commando1]

So fcool!
The 78's were the last year and were by far the best of the 74-78's in as much as all the small irritants were resolved by the factory. The only killer being the Lean Burn. The conversion is so simple it's crazy not to.
After it's running, complete check out all the modes in the AutoTemp II. If it works perfectly, you're home free.
Did you pull up the mat in the trunk and check the wells on each side?
Man..27K? I'm drooling....
(Did you buy that car in South Dakota? - Looks familiar.)

 

[mckinnon45]

I haven't pulled the mat up. I am doing that tomorrow. I will take some pretty detailed pictures. I guess there are little bubbles on the paint, front fender divers side, between bumper and wheel, under the marker light. If that's all I have to complain about from a car that is 33 years old, I'll be happy!!!

It came from a dealership in Central IL, outside of Peoria. The dealer bought this at an estate auction from a guy that was an antique tractor collector and a Mopar guy. When this wasn't being driven it was parked inside.

 

[commando1]

Yah. I'll like to see all those pics.
FWIW, it's not a matter IF there is rust under the rocker panel trim, There IS rust under that rocker panel trim. Trouble is, to check it by popping off the trim, all the brittle plastic clips break. Damned if you do. Damned if you don't. I always remove the trim, weld up the screw holes and grind off the nubs that the clips slide onto. With the trim on there, it's just asking for more rust.
BTW, nice Road Wheels with the correct width white stripe on the tires. It's the little things.....

 

[polara71]

BTW, nice Road Wheels with the correct width white stripe on the tires. It's the little things.....

Yeah, they set the car off nice

 

[Fratzog]

Welcome aboard. Nice score on a beautiful survivor. I love the styling especially the waterfall grill. Aside from the troublesome fuel system my vote goes to keeping it stock.

 

[polara71]

my vote goes to keeping it stock.

Of course he could always tub it and put a blower through the hood......:eusa_doh:

But I think Fred is on the right track

 

[commando1]

Of course he could always tub it and put a blower through the hood......:eusa_doh:

k

You live and breath every day trying to cause me to have a stroke, don't you...

 

[polara71]

:getwell:.............................

 

[mckinnon45]

Carpet looks brand new in trunk, my batteries went bad though. Pulled carpet up, there is minimal surface rust in the corners, but other than that you'd think it rolled off the line!

 

[mckinnon45]

Need to get the pieces of trim that are hanging off repaired, get the motor running right (at mechanic now) and give it a good wax and we'll be rolling in style!

 

[commando1]

Need to get the pieces of trim that are hanging off repaired, get the motor running right (at mechanic now) and give it a good wax and we'll be rolling in style!

You are far, better to remove those rocker panel trim pieces altogether.
RUST TRAPS!!!
AMWIK

 

[polara71]

No! At this stage in the game leave them on

 

[goodneighbour]

buy yourself a case of honey-goo in a can, fill them suckers til the goo oozes out and drive(not in the salt drenched winter months ) of course.:yes_no:

 

[commando1]

No! At this stage in the game leave them on

Don't argue with me on this one...:angry:

 

[polara71]

Don't argue with me on this one...:angry:

Oh o.k.....:thebirdman:

 

[kmccabe56]

Yah. I'll like to see all those pics.
FWIW, it's not a matter IF there is rust under the rocker panel trim, There IS rust under that rocker panel trim. Trouble is, to check it by popping off the trim, all the brittle plastic clips break. Damned if you do. Damned if you don't. I always remove the trim, weld up the screw holes and grind off the nubs that the clips slide onto. With the trim on there, it's just asking for more rust.
BTW, nice Road Wheels with the correct width white stripe on the tires. It's the little things.....

The plastic clips are easliy obtainable. I broke a few on my car getting the mouldings off and bought a box of them for less than most `obsolete parts dealers' want for one.