So i'm a kid who finally bought my dream car... A 69' Malibu. But it seems like there are some problems with it. Can anyone give me some ideas of where to start.
I'm not sure what to expect out of a 35 year old car things i think are wrong with it, might just be how they all are, can any of you guys tell me if i have some problems to fix, or if this is standard of a 69 chevelle.
the stats:350ci, 350 turbo tranny, power steering, ac.

The brakes are Drum but to get the car to stop i have to put a lot of leg strength on the brake, and can't even think about sudden stops. When i do hit them hard, it smells a bit like burning dust and takes a while to slow down??? any ideas? is this common or expected?
Steering seems like a boat... front end lifts and floats a bit, altogether kinda loose feeling, pulls to the left as well.
Does not coast at all when i take my foot off the gas pedal, immediately slows down. Is this just gearing?
When driving with constant pressure on the gas, the car will just stop responding until i take my foot off the gas and reapply pressure, then it seems to engage again.???

ANY help on this would be more than appreciated. I'm just getting into the muscle car scene and would love to get some ideas for fixing this car, and any ideas of what is possibly wrong with it.... thanks guys. Dave!

Oh, and one more question i had..... when i brake hard, my oil pressure light comes on?? any ideas? thanks again!

the brakes should be taken apart and inpected
if every thing looks ok then empty the brake dust out of the drums reassemble them and adjust them
make sure all the wheel cylinders are working and dry while it is apart
these are not power brakes probably and do require more foce to apply
the steering sounds about normal but you should check all of the components and bushings
and does it sound like the car is going to neutral before you lift off the gas and then go back at it

1. Are the drum brakes manual? Drum brakes do not stop a car as well as disc brakes. First thing you need to do is check the brakes and make sure everything is working and in good condition. If not, repair/replace what is worn. Do this first since making the car stop is the most important thing.
2. Steering like a boat: this is a 2 ton car with rear wheel drive. It drives and feels different from the new front wheel drive rack and pinion cars. Having said that, do know anything about the maintainance the previous owners performed? It may be time to replace the ball joints, bushings, tie rods and springs. That should tighten her right up.
3. Does the car upshift? It sounds like the tranny isn't shifting. Check the fluid.
4. The oil light going on under hard braking is caused by the oil in the pan moving to the front of the pan and away from the pick up tube. My 400sb used to do this when I was a quart low. Check your oil.
Good luck and keep us posted!

The boat /floating problem-look at replacing the bushings or better yet get a front end rebuild kit. It will fix alot of potential upcoming problems. Look at replacing the bushings and check to see if your front sway bar is still there! Lots of kids takes these of for "drag racing" purposes. If the bar is there, replace the bushings. Look at your front tires and ensure tread is good, wear pattern is correct and inflation is correct. If all is correct, then take in for front end alignment to cure pulling if your brake is not hanging on one side. This should keep you busy for awhile and should correct/prevent more front end trouble. the oil light coming on under hard breaking sounds like a low oil level issue.

First of all you say "So I am a kid". No dis-respect but, have you ever driven any other cars (newer one's)to make a comparison? If yes then you know there is a HUGE difference in handling and braking.

Remember like you said this car is over 35 years old and things wear out.

All the aboved mention advice is excellent. If you have never preformed this type of work (brakes & steering) I would suggest taking it to a certified mechanic OR get someone who has experince, to teach you how to do it.DON'T skimp on brakes & steering,they are important....

Good luck and have FUN working and learning about your car.

You picked a GREAT place to start by coming to Team Chevelle. Many knowledgable people hear to help with all your questions about your type of vechile.......Any pictures?

Brakes, suspension, and steering are some of the first things that need to be reworked if not done by a previous owner. In addition to the good advice above, I would recommend looking at Praise Dyno brakes for your car to help it stop better, along with a full system flush with new fluid.

Steering and suspension can be brought up to/better than new car standards also by installing the right combination of components. You can get 80% there just be replacing the stock components with new ones - bushings, springs, shocks will make a big difference. Lots of information on this site for anything you want to try yourself.

Wow....

A few hours have gone by since i posted and I've already got a great starting point for getting this car up to daily driver status.... thanks a ton for all the help. What a great site.... i'll probably rebuild the front end and convert the front brakes to disc.... any recommendations on rebuild kits that you guys have used??
I'm thinking overall my problems are a mix of this car being old and not as tight as it should be, and my being used to driving new cars.... thanks again guys

oil press light comes on while hard braking?

either your oil pump pickup fell off or you dont have enough oil

pray its just not enough oil so you dont have to pull the pan...........


to start, bleed your brakes, so you dont have to "lift off and reapply", (that means pumping). the brakes...

hard pedal is probably because you are used to powerbrakes

Does the car have power brakes? If so, the booster might be bad. Check for vacuum leaks also. These older cars did have front ends that floated. As already mentioned, replace the bushings, and check all the steering linkages, tie rods,drag link,etc,for play. Check your inline fuel filter, if it has one. If the car has been sitting around, they tend to get clogged and cause the motor to starve for gas. As far as the oil light, check the oil level, and make sure also that the wire going to the sender isn't touching any metal, or is loose enough to move when hard braking. Good luck and welcome to TC!

and before you really start doing anything at all and spend to much money get a rough guessimate of how much everything you are thinking about will cost - you know brakes 500 bumper 200 steering 300 paint 1500

then multiply by 3

then do the brakes first

Welcome LMUdave,

Go Lions! graemlins/beers.gif

Do the things these folks have already mentioned. You defintely need to have brakes working and an oiling system for your engine!

Mike

Since the others haven't do it, WELCOME to the BEST site on the net. graemlins/thumbsup.gif I always start with the brakes on any automotive purchase I make that is not known by me.

LMUdave,
A sort of friend in L.A. bought a 71 Malibu early this year and has not had it on the road yet. Needs "everything" so your not the only one. In fact he had to have it towed from his mothers Apt. house beacause the "City" says you can not have an unregistered car stored on private property in view from street or air. Don't quote this you guys enough is enough.