Tom, I had the same dilema some years ago. I think the question I had was 66,000 or 166,000? I went back and forth on this until I took a real close/careful look at my brake pedal (Glide car) No way could 66,000 miles have caused the type of wear that was evident in my rubber brake pad area. Not that scientific but kinda basic thinking. By the way that was my guess anyway...but I was wishing it was the other way around. Cheers, 63 Coupe/NCRS16541
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Midyear Orig miles, wheel bearings, ball joints
I was looking over the suspension of a 66 and was trying to determine if could have 51,000 miles or 151,000 miles. The ball joints are original, rivets in disc rotors are original, front and rear springs are original, tires and shocks are new. Is it possible for the original ball joints, original wheel bearings, or other suspension components to last 151,000 miles without needing to be replaced at some time? TBarr #24014 -
Re: Midyear Orig miles, wheel bearings, ball joint
Pedal pad wear is a great trick - most guys overlook it. Tom - I replaced the lower front ball joints on my '63 probably around 60K miles -- can't imagine they would go 150, but drive the car and see how it feels. Also jack up the front end and gently pry with a suitable tool between the outer edge of the lower A-arm and the knuckle. You should notice a little give in the joint from 51K, but it shouldn't be obviously sloppy. The other way to check is to grease the fitting with a good pneumatic gun. If the joint is seriously worn you will see it jump. Maybe the odo is still on the first pass.
DukeComment
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Re: Midyear Orig miles, wheel bearings, ball joint
Thanks Arne. I did check what I could think of at the time and the interior has had a few things restored to look new. The only original pedal was the gas and it was another one of those that left me rubbing my cheek. TBarr #24014Comment
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Re: Midyear Orig miles, wheel bearings, ball joint
Tom, Arne and Duke make good points, my Dad always advised me to check the the steering wheel, brake/clutch pedals, all the clutch linkage, and of all things the drivers door hinges and striker plate for wear. Its those little things to watch out for.Comment
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How about a title history?
Can you get a title history through DMV? I think most of them require milage readings. It would take a little time, but you might get lucky.
What about the owner's documentation. It seems like the owner should be willing to let you look through whatever they have especially if their representing the car to be original 50K. Bills and receipts sometimes show milage. Should also give a good indication of what's been replaced.Comment
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Re: How about a title history?
Emission test history, which includes the odo reading is also worth checking. CA has emission test history going back to the dawn to testing in the early eighties, but I don't know if there is an easy way to pry them out of the Bureau of Automotive repair. Of course, each state will vary on this issue, but it may be worth pursueing, particularly in CA. When testing was first started in CA it may have applied all the way back to '62 (visual inspection)which was the first year for PCV valves ('63 across the U.S.) Tailpipe standards first applied to CA cars in 1966. Remember the "NOx device" retrofit fiasco.
DukeComment
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