cus73vista

Hey guys, i'm a newbie to the forum and to 70's cars. A family friend gave me a 73 Vista Cruiser that has been sitting for 6 years. I've always wanted a old car and this wagon is the first and i'm pretty pumped about it. It has a 350 and 4 barrel carb which isn't hooked up. I plan on using some youtube videos to help me hook up the vacuum lines the right way. The wagon will need some tlc to be road worthy. That being said I just wanted to ask a couple questions if yall don't mind. As of now as far, as I can tell, the wagon needs weather stripping around all windows and maybe the tailgate. I've searched around on this forum and have seen that rock auto, Steele Rubber and rubbertherightway.com provide weatherstripping however the only site that has everything I need is Steele Rubber and it seems pretty pricey. Also the gas tank will need to be dropped and cleaned, does anyone have any tips or links to other threads on how to clean the tank? Lastly the car has 74,000 original miles and i'm assuming its all stock. It has an automatic tranny which I think is a 3 speed, is this a TH 350 turbo hydramatic? And does it have a throttle valve line that i am supposed to hook up to the carb?
Sorry to bombard yall with a lot of information but any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

cus73vista

A couple of pictures of what i'm working with

Rustbucket2

That is awesome. welcome

svnt442

It could be either a TH350 or a TH400 transmission. Get a picture of the trans pan and that will tell the tail.
With either there will be a vacuum line to the intake manifold, but the kick downs are different. The TH350 uses a cable and the TH400 is electronic.

oldcutlass

Welcome to the site. Steele Rubber Products is a very good source for your weather stripping. When you drop your tank (it is a pita), take it to a radiator repair shop and let them clean and pressure test it. As Randy said both the T350 and the T400 use a modulator valve that has a vacuum line connected to manifold vacuum to operate correctly. The T350 uses a kickdown cable and the T400 uses an electric switch that energizes a solenoid. Nice car!

Allan R

Welcome aboard.
A friend GAVE you this car??? I want to be friends with them too.

1973 Vista Cruiser is actually a misnomer. The name plate doesn't actually describe the car properly. Basically it's a Cutlass Station wagon without any vista glass or roof. I guess it doesn't matter though.

The gas tank is not reproduced, so hopefully yours is in good shape. How's the lower body behind the rear wheels? They rotted there pretty easy.

re: Weatherstripping? Those prices actually aren't all that bad considering no one else has them, or in a good quality. They must have only created these items recently because it's the first time I've ever seen them and the question has been asked on this site quite a few times before. You should be aware, if no one else has mentioned it, that owning a classic car can be somewhat of a money pit. It doesn't return the value of the accrued parts either. I expect you're keeping this wagon?

If the car has a 350 engine, the trans will be a TH350. That's how the factory produced those assemblies.

One of the best ways for you to learn about how the vacuum routing goes, and also learn about the mechanical aspects of that car is to buy a 1973 Chassis Service Manual. They're not expensive and provide a wealth of information you're just not going to find on You Tube. Like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-197...5WlcBr&vxp=mtr
It's worth every penny. I wouldn't get a reproduced manual or electronic - the scans are really horrible and don't show the detail OEM ones do.

Aron Nance

Steele Rubber is the only way to go.......................

svnt442

Not necessarily true. I had a 72 that was a factory 350/TH400 car. I think it could have something to do with a tow package....not really sure.
If he can find a build sheet that would tell the tail for sure.

joe_padavano

More likely it was a TH375, which was the light-duty version of the TH400. The easy way to tell is that the TH375 used the smaller TH350-sized output shaft and yoke.

svnt442

It was a TH400...large yoke and all. I ended up having it rebuilt and using it in a 70 behind a 455.

oldsmobiledave

I too have seen T400 behind a 350 in a 1972 Vista Cruiser. Drivetrain was original.

cus73vista

Thanks for the replies guys!
I do plan on keeping the car as a weekend cruiser.
One more question, the front passenger window is busted so ill need to replace it. It seems like pretty thick glass, does my wagon have the same windows as a cutlass? Or what is my best option for trying to find a window?

cus73vista

And yes, I understand it's going to be a money pit. The floorboards will need a some help. The window being busted let a bunch of water in and the carpet soaked it all up i guess. But the wheel wells are fine, just a little surface rust in a few places.

oldcutlass

Some sheet metal and a welder will fix that easily. I would think someone on here would have a side window.

DennisG.

I can tell you from personal experience since I own two 73 Vista Cruisers. One 455 car and one 350 car. Your car has a t-350 unless it's been changed. You can get all the weather strips you need on eBay except the vista vent. The front door glass can come from any 73-77 a body wagon or 4 door. You might be able to use a repop floor pan section from a two door. Good advise about taking the tank to a rad shop. May I ask where you are located ?

vistacruiser1971

Did you find the door glass? I have one. Where are you located? Regards, Trent in Los Angeles