[Held for Ransom]

I circled it...

[unruhjonny]

maybe it was a light switch for those aftermarket gauges in the map pocket?
(if that’s what i’m seeing (flipped face down) in the console map pocket)

[Judge273]

There’s a good chance that the black tube with chrome tip is a light switch or dimmer for after market gauges.

I did disconnect and replace with map pocket. Only to find out the car went dead.

After pulling the starter and trying to find the fusible link. Only to reinstall the starter and gauges.

Kind of embarrassing but, lots of discovery.

Spent a few days under the car trying to find the electrical gremlins.

[johnta1]

Original starter!?

Hard to believe still has the original 350 starter.

[Judge273]

The build sheet shows the starter to be “446”. This one is a 445. But, dates to car. Another mystery? Or just not correct…

[johnta1]

I think it is correct. The buildsheet probably shows the number for the starter/relay combination part number?

I show the 1108445 as for 1971 350 starter.

[Judge273]

Originally Posted by johnta1

I think it is correct. The buildsheet probably shows the number for the starter/relay combination part number?

I show the 1108445 as for 1971 350 starter.

But, the car is a 400?

[johnta1]

Sorry, Mike. I thought it was a 350.


And yes the 446 is for a 400/455. (I had to look it up)

So not original.

[unruhjonny]

i don’t see why that might not be original;
as i recall there have been several times in the past year when the “wrong” part was used at the factory;
the L30, L75, and L78 presumably could all use the same starter, as they all used the same style exhaust manifolds.

I cannot make out the manufacture date stamping… i’d think that might skew it as being original vs non-original…

[johnta1]

The date code that I can tell, is 1Axx which is Jan 1971. Not sure of day.

[Judge273]

It’s a January 6, 1971 Starter. First Week of February on trim tag.

[unruhjonny]

well i sure wouldn’t toss or change it;
not from a car that original.

[Ramairnacho]

The starter in picture is a low torque starter I believe the 45 was low and housing smaller than the 46 high torque starter. If it's original I'm surprised it lasted this long.. I believe that all blocks look the same 350, 400, or 455 but different internal components making different compression. Maybe the didn't have anymore 46 starters and put a 45 in it. Either way it's a nice car and if I was replacing starter I would get a hi torque .

[Judge273]

Making progress! Tuned up and battery topper and spring claps installed. Got rid of red cables.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

I would have thought 400 with AC would bring the HD side post battery.
That's just thoughts , not facts.

Think it might be the first Fbody I have seen with Sienna interior.
It seems lighter than A-Body Sienna

Owner was definitely proud of the car to keep it so long .

[Judge273]

Some more details.
Future tips.






Gauges replaced with map pocket


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Transamric]

"We don't need no stinkin' gauges!!"

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

"gauges are for sissy's and worry warts"

(....2 weeks later blows head gaskets after alternator belt snaps on highway )

[Judge273]

Got to have some gauges…




Super clean underneath with OEM exhaust

[johnta1]

Very nice!


I like the lower valence still has the black on it.