77 98 regency needs help

[jason_l]

i recently got a 77 old 98 regency the engine seems to run fine but on the road it seems to have no power at all .also seemed to have problems shifting . the stearing seems extremely loose and the brakes are half way to the floor then sound off like an air release before engaging .

im pretty new to the classic car world and am mostly use to newer fuel injected i4 and v6 engines so any help i can get here will be greatly appreciated

[jdorour]

Jason,
One step at a time.
The lack of power can be any number of things. Make sure the engine is in good tune. Plugs, Cap, Rotor, Wires. Make sure the air filter is clean and the fuel filter is replaced. Second, Your car has (or should have) a catalytic converter - these can plug up and restrict exhaust flow. The engine will idle fine but have no power on acceleration.

The brakes sound like they are worn. You may need new pads and shoes. The noise you here may be a leak in the power booster (some noise is normal).

The front suspension on these cars is a little "loose" when compared to some newer cars. The steering assist is calibrated to provide very low effort. Someone that knows what to look for should check the front suspension. A broken ball joint or tie rod end is no fun.

[jdorour]

Jason,
You did not say if the engine is running rough when you are out on the road. Check for vacuum leaks at the Carburetor and the PCV Valve. Check the hose to the Brake Booster. Check the hoses to the transmission and the air cleaner. Check all the hoses on the top of the engine (there are a few). Dry, hard, cracked hoses will cause you no end of grief.

Do not disconnect anything unless you know what it does. Some of the vacuum lines go to important stuff - like the distributor advance and the transmission vacuum modulator. Some of it goes to the emissions system. If you have a state inspection you may need to have that stuff working. If you don't have an inspection you may elect to disconnect some of it. But if you do it in the wrong combination you may end up with a minor drivability problem.

Make sure the carburetor is bolted securely. They tend to loosen with a lot of miles.

What is your experience level? Have you worked on cars alot?

[jason_l]

yeah im fairly experienced just not with the older cars this only my second ever carberated car but ive been working on fuel injected engines since i was about 15. i have done one successful engine swap in a 81 cutlass pulled out a deisel and dropped in a 350. i know enough to get by with repairs and such. ive just never been to great at diagnosing problems.

anyway .the engine seems to be running real smooth on the road just lacks power. the stearing may be normal but to me it just feels like i turn the wheel 90 degrees before anything happens. Im sure im exagerating there but thats who it feels to me (take in mind almost every car ive owned was a small sports car. so im use to tight steering)as far as the breaks sounds way to loud to be a normal sound . as far as emissions go i live in wv we dont have emissions testing here. even if we did it wont effect me im one of the lucky ones who just happens to have a buddy who runs an inspection station

ive always been more of a jap sports car person but all in all im a true car lover i like em all sept them damn civics. i generaly hate to see any car go to waste and my sis was gonna junk this so i talked her into giveing it to me.i feel when its finished it will be a nice addition to my now all domestic small car collection including 77 olds 98 regency 93 olds cutlass supreme 89 eagle premier(currently used as storage bin) and a 94 ford probe gt(current project)

anyway let me stop my damn babbling
thanks for the help