Vid of my Vista Bruiser
#1
Vid of my Vista Bruiser
Here's what I'm starting out with. Getting things ready for body work hopefully by the start of this coming year.
http://youtu.be/oihftgol068
http://youtu.be/oihftgol068
#3
Here's what I do know so far. The motor was rebuilt and punched out .040 over, making it a 463. I have the summit racing kit number. From what I can tell on the cam card, the cam is a 294 intake/310 exhaust cam. I'm still trying to decipher the paperwork that came with the car. It drives like it has a high stall coverter or the trans is shot. Either way I think I'm eventually going to go with a built up 200R4 or 700R4 for the overdrive.
#4
I put a built 200 4r in mine & a 4:10 posi rear. Great off the line & low rpm about 70-80 mph. 255/60/15 tires. Supposedly, built right, the 200 eats less hp than the 700 & can be made a bit stronger.
#6
IIRC, some? or all? of the 200 4r are a dual pattern bellhousing so they fit BOP/caddy & the chevy engines also with no adaptor needed. I'm sure someone here can clarify this info. I removed mine from a '87 monte carlo in a yard. I think the later year v8 cars(86-88 or so??) have some better internal parts to begin with & make better cores to rebuild.
There are many pages of how to build up a 200 online & I'm sure you can find out what you need on how to make it strong enough for over 500 ft. lbs of torque. I had a friend build mine & I've got about $600.00 in parts in it.
I did have to have my drive shaft lengthened. My vista originally came with a medium tail shaft th350 trans & the 200 uses the short tail shaft, so I was a few inches short(that's what she said). If you do go this route, it is VERY important to get the TV cable set up properly. If not, you will burn up the trans pretty quickly. They sell carb. brackets that help keep the TV cable where it needs to be.
Other than the drive shaft, it's a pretty simple remove & install procedure. I would recommend a external trans cooler as well as the one in the radiator.
There are many pages of how to build up a 200 online & I'm sure you can find out what you need on how to make it strong enough for over 500 ft. lbs of torque. I had a friend build mine & I've got about $600.00 in parts in it.
I did have to have my drive shaft lengthened. My vista originally came with a medium tail shaft th350 trans & the 200 uses the short tail shaft, so I was a few inches short(that's what she said). If you do go this route, it is VERY important to get the TV cable set up properly. If not, you will burn up the trans pretty quickly. They sell carb. brackets that help keep the TV cable where it needs to be.
Other than the drive shaft, it's a pretty simple remove & install procedure. I would recommend a external trans cooler as well as the one in the radiator.
#7
Nice utube tour of a clean car. Is that the original color. If so keep it that color. I just bought a 71 VC body not quite as clean but converted to a 5 speed stick and mechanically sound. Are you keeping the woodgrain and the outside stock? I am trying to decide what to do with mine.
Lee
Lee
#9
#11
#13
Vista Cruiser
I would suggest you keep the original color on your wagon. It looks from the photo to be the orange color like comp. orange from Chevy in the late 1960's. I had a Vista that color back in the 70's with the Sienna interior and wood grain. It was beautiful and a very rare color. I think I have only seen 4 including yours. Regards.
#14
Vista1971, the paint is so badly oxidized that it would be difficult to determine the actual shade. I cannot find any documentation to confirm what the original color was. The wood grain is shot and I really never cared for wood grain.
I am going to paint the car in House of Kolor Re-entry Red with Nugget Gold Pearl metallic for the wood grain areas. I'm working on how much body work is going to be required.
I am going to paint the car in House of Kolor Re-entry Red with Nugget Gold Pearl metallic for the wood grain areas. I'm working on how much body work is going to be required.
#18
Great lookin and sounding Vista you have there. The cowl tag will tell you the color it was originally, unless it was a special order paint, then it will either have two dashes or just left blank like mine.
#19
Looks and sounds beauteous.
Ten times better than my former Vista was when I got it, the only things going for it were that it was untouched and had zero rust.
One suggestion, with the exhaust dumping out the back like a non-wagon don't drive with the tailgate window down or you could get carbon monoxide poisoning from the exhaust coming back into the car through the window opening.
I remember when an unfortunate bird flew under mine when I was on the road and after it's demise from being caught up in all I can figure is the driveshaft it's feathers went back and up through the open back window and were floating all over the place inside of the car.
Ten times better than my former Vista was when I got it, the only things going for it were that it was untouched and had zero rust.
One suggestion, with the exhaust dumping out the back like a non-wagon don't drive with the tailgate window down or you could get carbon monoxide poisoning from the exhaust coming back into the car through the window opening.
I remember when an unfortunate bird flew under mine when I was on the road and after it's demise from being caught up in all I can figure is the driveshaft it's feathers went back and up through the open back window and were floating all over the place inside of the car.
#21
Here's what I'm starting out with. Getting things ready for body work hopefully by the start of this coming year.
http://youtu.be/oihftgol068
http://youtu.be/oihftgol068
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post