After searching for about 6 months I finally picked up a great 1963 Nova for my wife. We're ditching her late model "check-engine-light-with-wheels" and going with a car that is simple to reopair and worth repairing when things break. I am going through it now and replaced engine gaskets, swapping out all the running gear for 5lug and disc brakes, seat belts,. . . basically getting everything ship-shape for the road. Then I plan to . . . HAND HER THE KEYS! Its her car after that and I have a not very successful but time consuming architecture practice to run, a kid to spend time with, and of course the '35 olds coupe project. The plan is that I will do basic maintenance when I can, some diagnosis, but I will not be solely responsible for repairs. I have always done 100% of the work on my cars but it is starting to be stupid NOT to pay someone to swap out an alternator or headgasket when it can save me time. Does anyone have a mechanic in the Los Angeles (I am in Echo Park) area that would know what to do with a nice 100% stock inline 194. Someone who can tune it up, replace the powerglide when it dies, just basically knows what to do with old cars. Any reccomendations?
I may be all wet but I thought that the major reason one bought a sixty something simple car was so that he/she could do the maintenance and repairs at home. Those little 194 engines run forever if you take care of them and keep them serviced. It takes less than an hour start to clean hands to change an alternator, starter or valve cover gasket so that won't eat up a lot of project time unless your project time is severely limited.
Karl's General Garage <address class="adr"> 1621 S Central Ave Glendale, CA 91204 </address> (818) 246-5696 They're near the old Amtrak Station. They been in business for about 40 years. I used to work there when Karl himself used to run the place back in the early 80's. They did honest work there and I'm sure the owner's son is continuing the same tradition Karl himself prided on. Heck, I remember they had a '63 Nova there that belonged to the shop when I worked there.
man this thread sat forever and then everyone jumped in.. . i am just about done going through the car. . i'll cruise by all of these places next week. thanks so-cal hambers.
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