OT another project

Nick167

Member
I picked this 64 Pontiac Star Chief the other day for 600. Has sat for quite awhile but had it running today by dumping gas down the carb and sounded pretty good still have to work on the fuel pump yet. It has about 83000 on it. Anyone know what kind of break fluid it takes? If the brakes are stuck any tips on freeing them up? I still gotta pick it up but it?s only right around the corner so I?ve been working on it there but I need to get it home soon we?ll proably tow it but there?s a chance if I get the fuel pump sorted out and the transmission works I could drive it. Any other tips? Thanks guys!
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It takes DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid.

Good chance the brakes would need bleeding to get them to work at all, not something I would do in the snow!

If just around the corner, working brakes are not a real concern, just be ready on the park brake, if it will work.

As for freeing up stuck brakes, in the snow and mud, well, if it will roll or slide, so be it... Not much you can do other than pull the wheel and beat the drum to drive the stuck cylinders back in, break the rust.

Good luck!
 
I don't know what year cutoff, but old fuel pumps had a coating on the diaphragm that ethanol gas quickly removes making them not work until rebuilt with new parts. So it may need rebuilding or use an electric pump. Good luck.
 
You should drain the gas tank before you get that old gas into your engine. I ran a tractor on old gas. I will never do that again, the old gas gummed up the valves so bad they stuck. I had to remove the tank to get at the valves to free them up. Stan
 
For no more than they cost, just plan on new wheel cylinders and all new shoes. I would try to borrow a bore scope to look in the gas tank, it is pretty common for them to be total trash and you do not want that stuff in the motor.
 
Nick, nice find. Had one of those way back when I first started driving. A good buddy of mine just bought a 64 convertible that had sat for 15 years. Lawnmower tank and hot battery. and drove it on the trailer. Good luck and bypass the fuel tank for now.
 
If it has a frame similar to Chevys of the same vintage, check for cracks where the frame rails narrow down to an X shape. Or, the easy way to know it's cracked is to drive down a rough road at 40 plus and look in the rear view to see if the trunk is waving at you.....
Looks like a cool car at the right money!Ben
 
Iffen I was trying to get it home, trailered would be the safest bet. I wouldn't trust them brakes for a second, regardless of close it is. DP
 
Nick167,

If you get into the brakes, well, a friends dad told me that to "collapse" the innards of drums, cut off the pins from the backing plate. Get new ones later. Saves the drum and some time. Remember to thank a Michigan ford mechanic when using that "trick".

D.
 
Dot 3 Dot 5 was not even invented yet. Is that a Canadian model ?. To me that would be a Catalina. Join the Pontiac ,Oakland ,GMC club now. The magazine has good parts.
 
Thanks everyone for all the tips! I actually got it pulled up outta the hole it was in today and I think I got the fuel pump working I just need to get a new line for it and I should be set. I lucked out and I think they drained the tank when they parked it because it was dry and I haven?t found any leaks in it. I only put a couple gallons in to test it but so far so good. Thanks again!
 

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