Making use of garage space!

[vernjeggies]

I just moved into a new house that finally has garage space! Finally, I have space to bring in the car that I've lost sleep thinking about for the last 4.5 months! Tomorrow I bring home the 75 Astre Safari that I picked up for $300.

I'm having some troubles figuring out whats under the hood. The VIN says 2.3L I4, but it definitely has a V6 in it... Looks a lot like a 2.8L. It'll have to wait till I get it home so I can have a closer look, I guess.

engine.bay1.jpg

The plan so far:
- Engine swap - I think I've decided on a 4.3L v6 with a 700R4 trans from an s-10 and adding a turbo. Not sure how big yet.
- Running gear - S-10 axles and spindles are a must.
- Body replacement - Both fenders and the grille have minor damage, but it comes with good condition replacements. Just need to hunt down the 75 Astre grille...

[HI WINDING MONZA]

Thats a Buick V6 , either a 196 ,231 or 252 CID.

Doug in P.R.

[lleelduo]

Distributor at front is a buick v-6

[zzip]

I have/had 3 V6 3.2Lt and 3.8Lt .
I think 3.2Lt or 3.8Lt .
They are the same on the outside .

Peter from antwerp

[vernjeggies]

Yeah I noticed the placement of the distributor after posting this. After using the google machine, I sort of concluded it was a Buick motor. Gunna have to check the numbers on it to find out if its worth keeping, but probably I'll just sell it off or take it in for scrap metal. Anyone looking for a Buick V6?

[zeke]

Love the starting pic complete with fender vegetation! Looking forward to the transformation.

[vernjeggies]

Haha not even just the fender! It's been sitting in a forest for 10 yrs so its veg'd right out.

rear.jpg

And yet somehow, no rust!

[zeke]

Holy carp! May want to hit that with some roundup first!

Not rotted eh? wow! How's the interior?

[vernjeggies]

Haha I know!
The interior is black vinyl and in suprisingly good shape as well, aside from a large rip down a seam on the back of the drivers seat and some after market speaker cut outs in the back.

seat.front.jpg

Carpet has to go, but the floor is solid. Just some minor surface rust.

[vernjeggies]

Well, I finally got it home! After a couple weeks of struggling with the weather, due to being located down a muddy hill of an access road, I actually got the Astre to my driveway! I have to admit, it's a little worse than I thought, but still workable, especially for the bargain price of $300.

tumblr_nmgxbg3AUe1rfpt1no1_540.jpg

The motor is seized, so it'll be going for scrap. The hood is pretty rusted, but I'm confident I can salvage it. The replacement fenders are both the same side, and one of them is basically scrap because of the amount of rust on it. The replacement grille isn't straight. The passenger door wont open, and there are no keys, so the steering is locked. In short, there's a lot to do. It's definitely found the right home!

This weekend, a car wash. Then I'll really be able to assess the state of everything.

[zeke]

If the wash reveals too much cancer, it could always be a parts car for only 300 bucks and ya look for another. With these h projects, a parts car is almost necessary anyways. Good luck eh!

[dindin]

Hi ,
You have some work ahead of you..Should be fun.

Al

[vernjeggies]

I ended up having some time after work and the sun was shining, so I gave her the washing today instead. Turns out the hood rot is worse than I thought, but the rest of the car is in amazing shape, especially considering where it was parked for 10-15 yrs!
The only beyond repair cancers were on the hood and the valence under the rear hatch. The fenders and grille are garbage because of dents.
I popped out all of the door tumblers as well. I don't have any of the keys for it, and I'm going to replace them all anyway. Managed to get the hatch open, and un-stick the passenger door
Also, GOOD NEWS! The 3.8 isn't seized! After deciding I was scrapping the motor anyway, and not really caring if it exploded or not, I poured some fresh gas in the carb and jumped the starter today, just for fun... it fired right up and ran for a few seconds on its own! Caught me totally by surprise!

I've been having a lot of problems trying to upload any photos lately. I'll keep trying to get some up here.

[SeniorSavage]

IF you decide not to use that engine I'd definately be interested in it for parts for my 3.8 and I'm right up the road from you on the island.

might even be able to hook you up with some other stuff you might need.

cheers, Todd

[vernjeggies]

That would be awesome SeniorSavage! I've been trying to find people in my area and build some H-body connections, but strangely enough, they're few and far between haha. I'll be looking for a couple things and definitely getting rid of that engine and trans eventually. Where on the Island are you?