1973 Cutlass Colonnade 4-door
Thread Starter
1973 Cutlass Sedan
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 8
From: Iowa
1973 Cutlass Colonnade 4-door
Just recently joined ClassicOlds.
I have become the owner of my Great Aunt's 1973 Cutlass Colonnade 4-door. 36,100 original miles. Very clean.
No real plans other than to show as is and take for ice cream runs!
Possible projects are an exhaust manifold leak and A/C compressor leak. Would like to have the A/C working again but the A/C receiver/drier do not look like the ones I find online. This one has two lines "welded" to the body but the ones lonline have threaded fittings. Ideas?
Also looking for the Emission Control Info/Vacuum Hose Routing label #413597. I hosed off some of the 40 years of dirt and A/C oil and accidently damaged mine.
I have become the owner of my Great Aunt's 1973 Cutlass Colonnade 4-door. 36,100 original miles. Very clean.
No real plans other than to show as is and take for ice cream runs!
Possible projects are an exhaust manifold leak and A/C compressor leak. Would like to have the A/C working again but the A/C receiver/drier do not look like the ones I find online. This one has two lines "welded" to the body but the ones lonline have threaded fittings. Ideas?
Also looking for the Emission Control Info/Vacuum Hose Routing label #413597. I hosed off some of the 40 years of dirt and A/C oil and accidently damaged mine.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,798
From: Plano, TX
Welcome!
Great score on a nice survivor! She will be a unique addition to all the common cars you find at shows.
As for your drier, you might consider sending it to Classic Auto Air for a rebuild. They sandblast it, cut it open and replace the drier material, weld close, and repaint.
Might be 150 bucks or so but it will be guaranteed to fit perfectly!
My guess is the seal on the compressor is dried out - common issue when the AC is seldom used. I think I have that issue, also, but have not decided what to do with it.
Great score on a nice survivor! She will be a unique addition to all the common cars you find at shows.
As for your drier, you might consider sending it to Classic Auto Air for a rebuild. They sandblast it, cut it open and replace the drier material, weld close, and repaint.
Might be 150 bucks or so but it will be guaranteed to fit perfectly!
My guess is the seal on the compressor is dried out - common issue when the AC is seldom used. I think I have that issue, also, but have not decided what to do with it.
Oldsdruid
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,628
From: Southside Vajenya
Fusick or Dr. Decal (Mark Cornea) should have your emissions decal. A hard copy of the 1973 Oldsmobile Chassis Service Manual is a must have also. The stuff can be found online but there is nothing like having your own copy of it that you can get to when you need it.
On your A/C, there are two systems used in 1973- the POA valve system and the VIR (Valves in Receiver) system. However, neither should have any fittings welded together. They are designed to be serviceable and that means threaded o-ringed connections.
POA system is identical to pre-1972 systems and has separate expansion valves, POA valves and receiver-driers.
The VIR contains the expansion valve, POA valve and receiver-drier in one unit that can be rebuilt and should still be available. If car has a large cylinder with a sight glass on the side of it toward the back passenger side of the engine bay, it is a VIR system.
I've never seen much rhyme or reason as to which car got what system. I've seen both types on early build cars and owned a July 73 built Delta convertible that still had the POA system.
Overall I think the POA is easier to diagnose and service but they went to 100% VIR for 1974-76.
On your A/C, there are two systems used in 1973- the POA valve system and the VIR (Valves in Receiver) system. However, neither should have any fittings welded together. They are designed to be serviceable and that means threaded o-ringed connections.
POA system is identical to pre-1972 systems and has separate expansion valves, POA valves and receiver-driers.
The VIR contains the expansion valve, POA valve and receiver-drier in one unit that can be rebuilt and should still be available. If car has a large cylinder with a sight glass on the side of it toward the back passenger side of the engine bay, it is a VIR system.
I've never seen much rhyme or reason as to which car got what system. I've seen both types on early build cars and owned a July 73 built Delta convertible that still had the POA system.
Overall I think the POA is easier to diagnose and service but they went to 100% VIR for 1974-76.
Oldsdruid
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,628
From: Southside Vajenya
Your boy looks good behind the wheel! though are you sure you want to turn a teenage boy loose with a car that has an easily accessible back seat?!
I guess I got so used to seeing these when they were new that they always looked "ordinary" to me, but as time has passed I've realised that the Colonnades were pretty stylish cars in all body styles. Even the big ugly Fed bumpers didn't detract from them much.
One thing that will really make that car pop is to put a set of correct Super Stock II or III wheels on it- with the bolt-on center caps. Either the Argent Silver II or body color III will look mighty nice on it and would be 100% correct.
I guess I got so used to seeing these when they were new that they always looked "ordinary" to me, but as time has passed I've realised that the Colonnades were pretty stylish cars in all body styles. Even the big ugly Fed bumpers didn't detract from them much.
One thing that will really make that car pop is to put a set of correct Super Stock II or III wheels on it- with the bolt-on center caps. Either the Argent Silver II or body color III will look mighty nice on it and would be 100% correct.
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