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PostPosted:Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:23 am 
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Small Block

Joined:Sat Nov 07, 2015 10:28 am
Posts:22
Car Details:Newbie owner of a 1969 Camaro. Slowly learning my way around it.
Hi all,
The car gets dropped off today but has a few issues I need to resolve before the MOT. If you can help (or any known common faults) with any of these I would really appreciate it;

Noisy P/S pump
Brake lights not working
Indicators not working
Battery not holding charge
Common areas for taking in water? (I know the boot is an issue and the heater core has been disconnected)

This is just the start of it but will hopefully get me driving...

Cheers,
Ben


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Newbie 1st time novice owner seeking advice (1969)

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PostPosted:Tue Nov 17, 2015 11:15 am 
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Big Block
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Joined:Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:40 pm
Posts:3245
Car Details:'79 Camaro, 350 V8
Location:South Bucks
Hiya,

Exciting day :)

I was going to ask - which company did you end up working with for importing the car and how much did it cost?

Noisy P/S pump - Replace fluid first, see if it makes a difference perhaps. Otherwise, a replacement can be sourced (try UK places like TopSpeed Automotive, John Wolfe Racing, US Automotive) and also Rockauto (U.S based and often works out cheaper, even with shipping etc.
Brake lights not working - The switch is by the pedal, near where it pivots. Make sure the switch is there and test it just by pushing it, sometimes they just need adjusting. Next, check the bulbs, obvious as it sounds. Still nothing? Check the fuses. The brake light and indicator are on the same circuit so if one doesn't work, neither will the other. If still nothing, wedge something, or put some tape on the brake switch to hold it to the on position, then take a voltage tester to the bulb socket and see if it's getting +12v. Also check the ground connection for continuity as this can be a common issue.
Indicators not working - When solving the above, it should solve this. you will need to rewire anyway as the indicators will flash red, which is an MOT fail. If there's not a write up on here already, either a 1st gen owner can help you, or we can take a look at a wiring diagram and work it out. It's not difficult to do yourself.
Battery not holding charge - Probably the easiest fix - get a new one :) Check out Tayna.co.uk. They have loads of batteries, next day deliver and best prices i could find. Have bought 2 from them and very pleased. Don't go down the american battery route unless you've got cash to burn, or you're triyng to keep it concourse original. I made the mistake getting a battery from John Woolfe for £150! It was AC Delco but i could have just bought the same size with a much higher rating and performance from Varta, Bosch etc. for 1/3rd of the price.
Common areas for taking in water? (I know the boot is an issue and the heater core has been disconnected) Usually the bottom of the fenders, where they bolt to the chasis. When you open the door, there's a vent in the b pillar, remove this and run your hand to the bottom or see if you can see the area with a good torch. This is a very common area for moisture to gather. Inner wheel arches of the rear quarters - with the trunk open, you may need to slightly get in the trunk, then run your hand along the inner wheel arch, where it meets the quarter panel, as this is another common area. Also, run your hand to the back of the car, where the trunk panel drops down to the meet the bottom of the quarter. This a very common area for rust.

Any other questions etc. just let us know! Look forward to seeing some pics :)

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PostPosted:Tue Nov 17, 2015 7:32 pm 
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Small Block

Joined:Sat Nov 07, 2015 10:28 am
Posts:22
Car Details:Newbie owner of a 1969 Camaro. Slowly learning my way around it.
Thanks for the help. It is really appreciated.

I will start working my way through the issues as soon as I get a battery and dry the carpets out.

Hopefully have some pics on soon.

I didn't end up buying from the states. I found one from Dublin and ended up working out a price that suited both parties. It is a little rough but I don't think I could have bought anything better and shipped from the US.


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PostPosted:Tue Nov 24, 2015 7:20 pm 
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Small Block

Joined:Sat Nov 07, 2015 10:28 am
Posts:22
Car Details:Newbie owner of a 1969 Camaro. Slowly learning my way around it.
I have solved the indicator problem, kind of. Found a relay under the dash and replaced that. They all flash now but I need to re-root the live to the orange bulbs at back. The front left seems dull so not sure what that's about. Still not side lights or brakes.
I had the alternator checked and the guy said it and the regulator are fine. Checked it on the car when I got back and still no power back to the battery?????

The interior has been stripped out and cleaned ready to dye black. Need to solve the water issue before I re-install this.

Slow progress


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PostPosted:Tue Nov 24, 2015 7:51 pm 
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Big Block
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Joined:Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:40 pm
Posts:3245
Car Details:'79 Camaro, 350 V8
Location:South Bucks
For the water issue, could it be an option to get some bright coloured food dye, mix it in with some water into a garden watering can and pour loads of it over the car. I've got one of those jetwash attachments for a hose, where you fill a container with car shampoo, maybe if you have one of those, fill it with food colouring and give the car a soaking. That may help find the source of the leak?

For the alternator / battery issue - it could be that the wire coming out from the alternator is not feeding correctly to the battery. With the engine running, if you put a multimeter on rear terminal, you should be getting ~14v. If that's happening, then follow the cable along and check the voltage at the point where it connects to the battery. Could just be corroded cable, or dodgy terminal?

For the lights, sounds like there's been some wiring changes made before you got it. Can you remind me the year of the car please? I want to find a wiring diagram for it...

_________________
How to post pics: When writing a message, scroll down and use the "attach file" option. Where possible, a photo sharing service can be used such as Flickr, Imgur etc. The image location (usually ending in .jpg) can be copy and pasted between the ][ brackets that appear when you click the 'Img' button (you can find this button at the top of the message box).

How to post youtube vids: Click on the 'youtubeHD' button at the top of the message box and in the middle of the ][ brackets that just appeared, copy and paste everything from the youtube web address that appears after the = sign i.e if this is the url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2cNqaPSHv0 just copy "K2cNqaPSHv0").


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PostPosted:Tue Nov 24, 2015 8:47 pm 
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Small Block

Joined:Sat Nov 07, 2015 10:28 am
Posts:22
Car Details:Newbie owner of a 1969 Camaro. Slowly learning my way around it.
When I put the meter on the alternator and battery I'm getting nothing. This should bridge any wire faults, shouldn't it? The electrician said the alternator is outputting 14v when he tested it. I'm stumped. I will have to draft in a few more talented friends I think.

The car is a '69. If you have any wiring diagrams that might help. I've found a few on the web so going to print them off tomorrow.


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PostPosted:Tue Nov 24, 2015 8:52 pm 
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Small Block

Joined:Sat Nov 07, 2015 10:28 am
Posts:22
Car Details:Newbie owner of a 1969 Camaro. Slowly learning my way around it.
I'm going to test the car for leaks as soon as I get a dry weekend. It's not the best time of year for this stuff.


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PostPosted:Wed Nov 25, 2015 10:56 am 
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Big Block
User avatar

Joined:Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:40 pm
Posts:3245
Car Details:'79 Camaro, 350 V8
Location:South Bucks
Sorry, i completely missed that you already put the year in the title!

That's very strange about the alternator. Some alternators have to go above a certain RPM before they kick into action, but i think it's only about 1,500 RPM or so. I doubt that's the case though, as mine charges anytime it's spinning. Worth giving a rev though to see if it makes a difference. A little bit stumped on that. I don't think it matters, but is there ground continuity between the alternator body and the engine? I would also be tempted to remove the 12v feed from the alternator, so that nothing is connected to it, then test the voltage output.

I had an odd leak where water was gather on the floor pan but there was nothing above that i could see causing it. Turns out the weather seals nearby were bad, so water collected and moved along the roof line and then found a spot to collect and fall from. Took a while to find it but it originated from a non local source. Do you have any pics of where the water is ending up?

_________________
How to post pics: When writing a message, scroll down and use the "attach file" option. Where possible, a photo sharing service can be used such as Flickr, Imgur etc. The image location (usually ending in .jpg) can be copy and pasted between the ][ brackets that appear when you click the 'Img' button (you can find this button at the top of the message box).

How to post youtube vids: Click on the 'youtubeHD' button at the top of the message box and in the middle of the ][ brackets that just appeared, copy and paste everything from the youtube web address that appears after the = sign i.e if this is the url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2cNqaPSHv0 just copy "K2cNqaPSHv0").


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PostPosted:Sun Dec 06, 2015 9:21 pm 
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Small Block

Joined:Sat Nov 07, 2015 10:28 am
Posts:22
Car Details:Newbie owner of a 1969 Camaro. Slowly learning my way around it.
So I've made some progress and found some more issues.

I have re-wired all lights to be uk legal and the alternator is working ok now. I replaced the flasher relay and brake pedal switch, and put the new headlights in. The interior carpets all cleaned and dyed black.

I tested all round for water leaks and found water getting in the following places, boot seal (nearly all round), windscreen seal (passenger side only), and a lot through the the cowl panel coming through to front floor pans. Any advice on the best way to tackle these? If troughs are rotted out on the window? How would I fix cowl area?

After that I have washers to sort then try for MOT! I hope I don't run out of funds! Ha


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PostPosted:Sun Dec 06, 2015 9:43 pm 
Offline
Small Block

Joined:Sat Nov 07, 2015 10:28 am
Posts:22
Car Details:Newbie owner of a 1969 Camaro. Slowly learning my way around it.
Finally sorted my photo bucket account, sorry it took so long!

http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/mcclu ... %20Uploads


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