That's great!
That's about where I got it from!

 

Update!!!
I've got the timing issues sorted out!!
Drove it last night, and I lit the tires up from a stop sign...
Also pulled like mad up to 70mph... I didn't even have it floored, and I don't think the secondaries even opened.
I think I can still fine tune the timing a bit more, but it's much better, now.
Looking forward to going to our first cruise-in of the year this Saturday.

 

Have been more focused on working on Crusty than taking pics, but I had a transmission fluid leak, and it turns out a couple bolts had backed out on the pan...
Went ahead and changed the filter, and pan gasket, and cleaned and reinstalled the pan.
While under there, I noticed my sway bar bushings were pretty much gone... New ones should arrive today.
Once I get those installed, I'll get it down level and refill the tranny fluid.
Going to Scott Winns Oldsmobile meet Saturday in Beechgrove Indiana.
Maybe some of the Oldsmogeeks there can help me get my tune perfected...
I've also installed an old school tach in the blank clock opening, and a new three gauge panel under the dash to keep tabs on everything...

Crusty gets a lot of love everywhere we take it, that's for sure.

 

I enjoyed reading your thread and think you are taking the car in a good direction. There is no replacement for displacement and the 455 has gobs of torque, I kinda wish my Vista Cruiser has one. Anyway nice car.

 

Winter projects are many...
Cleaned up a lot of wiring.
Hooked up electric choke, and realized that was probably why it was running inconsistently. I think the choke was partially open, or just opening and closing whenever.
Got a washer fluid bottle installed, and got the squirters working.
New radiator and all new hoses.
New gauge cluster.
Plan on getting the floors patched up, and get a whole new set of retractable seatbelts installed before it comes out in the spring.

 

Great build! These type are my favourites, drive while tinkering. I did a frame off build once, never again. Enjoy! Oh and Ken at everyday performance is a great guy. Little known fact is that he is an engineer, works full time and does the carbs on the side. Another fun fact is that he is the only person I know of who successfully turbocharged and did a blow through Q jet. Not a draw through but a blow through.

 

David, I am enjoying your journey with crusty and somehow it encourages me to keep on working. Your car looks so much nicer with the Oldsmobile SSII wheels on it. I watched your videos on Youtube as well. Isn't it great having a Vista Cruiser?

 

First time out at the local cruise in this year.

 

At our local Strawberries on the Square cruise-in...
I'm gathering 70's era accessories to keep in Crusty.
Got a picnic basket, and an old Coca Cola cooler.
Trying to find some nice classic lawn chairs now.

 

Finally got a fulle exhaust put on.
1-1/2" magnaflow muffler, H-pipe, and dumping behind the back tires.
It's really quiet until you romp on it.

 

I'm jumping into the thread late but isn't that the original clark griswald vista cruiser originally traded in for the family truckster in vacation?

 

Sort of. There were actually at least two vistas used in that movie. When driving to the dealership, Clark and Rusty are driving 1970:

However, a 1971 is what actually gets crushed:

 

I love them. My favorite wagons

 

Haven't been good at updating this build thread....
Dropped my fuel tank to try to repair the fuel sending unit, and after multiple attempts, decided to send it off to get rebuilt.
Got it back, and it looked great, and appeared to work when I had the tank out on the floor and hooked it up.
Alas... My happiness was squashed quickly as I raised the tank back up into place, and fuel comes pouring out from the seam in the bottom of the tank.
There was about half a tank, and I couldn't find a container big enough to catch it all, so ended up with gas all over the floor and out into the driveway...
So now... The tank is off getting patched up, and lined inside. Should have it back by the weekend.
I'm determined to participate in the local Trick your Trunk, and have already started decorating the car.
Think "That 70's Show meets Zombies"

 

Sorry to hear that! What a mess.

 

Bad juju man, sorry you had to deal with that but here is to getting it back on the road for your celebration.

 

That's old cars for you. But we hang in cause we love them. That Vista's a great car

 

That scene makes me tear up....

 

So after getting the tank repaired correctly this time (long story) I put the sending unit back in, and lifted the tank back into place. Strapped it all in place, and went up to check the fuel gauge...
It wasn't working again...
SOB!!!
Took it back out again and checked the connections. The top post wasn't making a good connection, again...
Emailed the guy who rebuilt it.
After some back and forths, I brought it with me to work.
Long story, (even longer) but my coworker, who's a bit of a nerd, and loves to tinker, took it home.
He took the connection apart, tinned the brass, and put it back together.
It now works. The tank doesn't leak.
Went on a little cruise for ice cream, and to meet up with some local car people.
I've been getting the car ready for Trick your Trunk this weekend...
Stay tuned for the final set-up.
Here's a sneak peak.

 

It looks great with the raised white letter tires, and 442 wheels

 

Are those wheels 14 inch or 15 inch? And, what is that you are holding in the last photo?

 

I believe that is a dead body (like aunt Edna)😂

 

They are 15" from a later Delta 88, and that is indeed, a dead body.

 

I love Crusty. They don't all have to be trailer queens. Good for you keeping that car on the road. My Vista was a 72.

 

Couldn't agree more. And they're getting harder and harder to find

 

Trick your Trunk...
Theme was "That 70's killer Family Vacation"
Drove around town with the body on the roof a few days leading up to the event... Got a few stares, finger-pointing, and laughs.
And we just got my daughter the yellow Nissan Frontier, and I just knew we had to do the Baywatch theme with her truck.

 

Some video from the Trick your Trunk
Sorry, it's raw and unedited.

 

Looks like a great time was had by all. I just noticed poor Dinky's collar and leash. Nice touch

 

David, I just finished viewing your newer videos on Youtube where you get to cleaning out the rear area of your Vista and also start on the brakes. Good videos. If you find you need some parts for that tailgate let me know. I just recently took off the tailgate stainless trim for another member from my '68 parts car and have failrly good access to all of that now. Again, just let me know as I would be glad to help out.

 

Thanks.
I uploaded those videos a year ago, but for some reason I never hit publish, so they're a little late.
my tailgate is actually in fantastic shape.
I just need to get a new..rubber sweep for the window.
it's rust free, and the window still works from both switches.

 

Thanks.
We've been doing Trick your Trunk for years.
We really get into the details.

 

I was kind of wondering about the time line. Trick or Trunk on Haloween and tailgate and rear compartment cleanout a week later...

 

Such is life... Been busy, and haven't done as much as I'd like to have...
Got my other daughter a truck, and have been working on getting long-neglected maintenance done on it and chasing a random misfire, so again, haven't gotten much done on Crusty...
I've got the transmission pulled, and am going to try and fix the leak.
I had replaced every seal I could with it still in the car, but it still leaked.
Got the front pump and input seals replaced.
Also installing a Transgo Shift reprogramming kit while it's out.
I had put a cast deep pan on it previously while trying to fix the leak.
In the process, I removed the brake booster to get to the bellhousing bolts easier, and think I figured out why it hangs up when releasing the brake pedal. Hopefully that will be fixed when I put it back together.