inc@fluke.UUCP (Gary Benson) (07/09/84)
Hello -- I don't normally subscribe to this newsgroup, but it certainly
seems to be the right place to request this information. I have two topics I
would like to hear opinions about, and hope to hear by direct e-mail unless
you feel these topics are of general interest. I will be subscribing for
some time, so I'll read what you have to say in eitehr case.
TOPIC 1 : 1969 Chevrolet Impala
I recently purchased this car for "interim" transportation (see Topic 2,
following). Well, the mileage *really* sucks. It's a 327 with a 2-barrel,
and I am getting about 10 or 12 mpg on the highway, and don't do any city
driving. I know I will only be able to get it up to 15-18 mpg, but what is
the best way to get the increase? Here are my questions:
A) Is it true, as I have been told, that (besides the obvious tuneup), I
should immediately do a valve job? If I removed and re-installed the heads,
would the cost of a valve job be justified in light of my plans to drive
the car only to and from work (about 50 miles per week)?
B) Is there an inexpensive way to increase the octane rating of Regular
gasoline? Regular seems to be pretty available here in Washington state, but
I can't fine Premium anywhere! My friends have surmised that to enable this
engine to burn regular with minimal knocking, the spark has been retarded to
the point that mileage suffers. Is anyone familiar with a product called
Propel? It sells for 59 cents in a tube that is said to be able to treat 14
gallons.
C) Will water-injection help? I plan to buy one of these units anyway (I
have always been intrigued by them, but didn't want to chance my new-car
warranty on the Toyota I will be selling soon. Can someone who has put water
injection on a short-block Chevy engine let me know about their experiences?
Good brands, things to be careful of, and like that. Does JC Whitney have
any good units available? (And speaking of which, could someone send me the
address of Whitney? I want to get a catalogue.)
TOPIC 2: 1961 Buick Special
As I said, the Impala is an interim car until I get a 1961 Buick Special
that I intend to restore/customize. (It has emotional and nostalgic value
for me, because that was the first car I ever owned.) Now that I am
gainfully enough employed, I would like to fix one up. Does anyone have one
for sale? I'll pay an honest price, and could arrange to pick it up anywhere
in the US, given that it is in decent shape. I would prefer one that has
lived on the west coast (since I'm not that good with Bond-O! :-), but
wouldn't mind traveling for the right car, as long as I could drive it back
to Seattle.
If I *do* put water injection on the Chevy, I would probably want to
transfer it to the Buick when I get it.
Thanks for any help. I read about 200 back articles this morning, and
net.auto seems to be an interesting group. I'll stay tuned...
Gary Benson
!fluke!inc
--
From the ever smiling, .).
ever happy fingers of: V
Gary Benson + +
John Fluke Mfg. Co. ILLEGITIMI NON CARBORUNDUM
!fluke!inc + +