Many will recognize this car's engine bay as the 10K mile '71 W-30 hardtop survivor that just sold on eBay.

I am Richard from Carcheology Restorations in SE MI and I just finished restoring a '71 W-30. What do you guys in the know of '71 W cars think of this car's engine bay?

Unrestored1971_10Kmiles.jpg

Unrestored71.jpg

Obviously it has many things wrong due to the manifold swap and headers, but what about the rest?

A few of my observations are:

The dipstick handle is plated and not painted.

The open faced alternator code DE is still readable, but the AM does not list a DE code part. There is also an A readable on the side.

alt_numbers.jpg

The thermostat housing gooseneck is painted.

The routing of the fuel return line is correct, unlike many restored cars I've seen.

The upper left corner of the radiator has a dent just like the car I just restored.

The radiator top plate upper left mount is bent exactly like the car I just restored.

The holes for the washer jar on non 455 engine cars are not plugged as per the AM, nor was the car's I just restored.

The one brake line has a huge hoop in it unlike none I've seen, and the fact that it has the wire loop protector would lead one to believe it is original.

The PS return hose looks to have a double yellow stripe.

I've not seen any original master cylinder with a dual cap retaining wire, and every original car I've seen had the square type master cylinder.



.

 

I don't know about the rest of your observations, but I believe the master cylinder is correct for the manual disc brake cars. But most of the originals I've seen had the two bleeder valves right above where the brake lines attach to the master.

 

I had a 72 W-30 with 16,000 miles and it had the blue water outlet. also had a little blue overspray on the intake at the very front and just above the block.

Mine did not have the holes filled for the washer bottle either.

 

Wait for Paul Martin to chime in....he is the go to guy on these 71 W cars.

 

Master cyl is correct.

 

Is the left fenderwell original?

 

I don't you can deduce any survivor type characteristics from the engine itself on this car at all. That lower alternator bracket painted engine color - means to me the engine has been diassembled for more than just adding headers & removing the "smog" stuff.

 

On non A/C cars the lower alternator bracket was on the engine when painted.

 

Is that master cylinder also correct for a 72 with manual front disc brakes?

Warren

 

According to my limited and worthless knowledge -- yes.

 

What a coincidence! I have a bottomless pit of limited and worthless knowledge.

 

double pumper carb? Holley?

 

This car was just over an hour from my house. I was going to go and take pictures but never did. If anyone knows where this car goes I would like to talk to the new owner.

Thanks,
Don W

 

71-72 non power disc use the dual clip master cylinder as shown. Now if I only knew what code was stamped on them.

Don W

 

There are two types that appear to be available. The one on the bottom is what is shown in the 71 W30. Which one is correct?

72mastercylindertype2_zpsd1de8928.jpg

72mastercylinder_zps4ef9d58b.jpg

Warren

 

The master cylinder that I have is like the one on the bottom. The only differences that I am seeing is the amount of metal around the back brake line port. I believe the master cylinder I have is an original GM unit, but not necessarily from a 71/72 W-30.

Don W