New guy - 68 Notch-back - 900 mile road trip!

MrJLR said
And now some questions.....
The main issues to make this a driver are:

* The brakes have a MEAN vibration and a shimmy/wobble/pull...
* There is a howling sound from the rear end
* I think the tranny is shot - although it shifts, is SLAMS in 2nd and makes a gurgling sound...???
* Gonna need a front suspension rebuild...

OK, any ideas or opinions on that list?
Where are the best sources for parts for:
* Interior
* Suspension
* Trim pieces
* What transmission do I have behind my 318? (If I was to just buy a new one.
* How can I tell my rear end gear - at 50mph, I'm actually going 60mph so I think someone has messed with it...

The engine actually runs pretty good (for the time being!)

Missing rear window regulators.....gonna have to dig in there and see what the heck is going on...

I'm sure I'll have a TON more questions as I get to know her :D

But to sum up, to make her a driver (to start) I need to address:
* Brakes
* Steering/Suspension
* Transmission
* Rear end howl

Thanks in advance - :cheers:
Click to expand...

Figure out what disk brakes and rim bolt pattern you have. If it have 4 piston Kelsey Hayes calipers it's most likely 5 on 4" oddball 60-72 A-body bolt pattern.

Do you do the work like front suspension stuff yourself or pay someone to do it?

Jack car up and do a front end condition analysis. Like check wheel bearing adjustment, idler, pitman, tie rods, lower control arm bushings, strut bushings. Typical first things to go are the idler arm, driver side lower control arm bushing on a power steering car that leaks(leaked) on the bushing.

Transmission is most likely a 904. Need to look at trans pan bolt pattern to ID.

For rear end howl you should check what rear end you have before putting any money into it. First check the fluid level and fill it if its low. If it's a 7 1/4 rear, might be cheaper just to replace it with a good used unit. That or consider a 8 1/4 rear end with large bolt rim pattern. That decision might factor in with what condition and type your front disk are.