i found a 79 new yorker that's been sitting for 20+ years in really good shape with no rust and a good engine
what maintenance should i do?
thanks
It will need all maintenance and then some. For starters the entire fuel system will need to be cleaned out and renewed, all fluids changed (oil, coolant, trans fluid, brake fluid), brake system rebuilt. All rubber parts (brake hoses, fuel lines, etc.) are suspect and should be replaced. Will need new tires of course. Engine and transmission seals may well leak like a sieve and need to be replaced.
Pretty much all rubber components will need replaced, the carburetor will need rebuilt, or replaced. You'll then need to set up the carburetor for the engine. @chucktobias helped me figure out how to do this.
I'd plan on pretty much completely overhauling the brakes, and be ready for frustration. Last year I revived my '79 Catalina after it sat for 5 years, two of the brake lines got pinhole leaks after I disturbed them. The frame might have no rust, but the lines most likely are ready to spring a leak. Brake master cylinders, wheel cylinders, calipers, pads, shoes... I went through 3 new master cylinders before I got one that didn't leak.
The fuel line is likely a concern as well. Check the integrity of the gas tank and fuel tank straps. A friend has a '78 Impala he drives often, and his fuel tank straps were rusted, he ratchet strapped it to the frame for a few weeks until he could get new straps. His Impala also leaks tranny fluid like mad, so I would be ready for that possibility. Luckily my Catalina only seeps a little transmission fluid. I only need to put a quart in every 2-3 months.
A 1972 Cadillac Sedan Deville I almost bought at an estate auction last year had sat in a garage, untouched since 1979. It needed a new fuel tank.
Consider investing $22 in a digital OEM dealer service manual on RockAuto. I bought the manual for my Catalina and it's more than paid for itself. Go over the major things with a fine toothed comb.
still,,,,,,,,,,, the money you spend to bring it back is nothing compared to 20k t0 40 k on a new jap car. and you'll have something that stands out instead of a modern cookie cutter car.
depending on the state of degredation, you can easily burn through $20k and more restoring a car, and it still won't be anywhere near "new" condition. And you'll have a hell of a time finding parts. Yes it will look pretty, but it'll never be reliable. It's more of a hobby than a practical ride.
If it has Chrysler's horrid "Lean Burn" system of that time period you'll want to get rid of that unless you're living in an insane strict state that does a moonbat-crazy thorough "smogging" of cars that are over 4 decades old. (I won't mention the peoples' republic of California by name.)
https://www.allpar.com/threads/%E2%80%9881-new-yorker-lean-burn-delete.222097/
I think the best solution to the smog inspection for all cars after 1974 is to get an aftermarket, computer controlled fuel injection system and take the car to a referee for recertification. Ditch the carburetor, it'll probably never pass.
I think that in the Peoples' Republic 1976 is the magic year beyond which everything needs to be factory-correct. I'm not sure what their regs are regarding things like aftermarket fuel injection. (I guess such add-ons would need to be CARB-compliant to start with, not sure what else.)
If you go to a referee with a more efficient system than the old Quadrajet, they generally approve it.