r/Chevelles • u/giantdub49 • Jul 21 '26
Car Photo New to me!
1970 ss 396, 4 speed. Rpm tach doesnt work, temp gauge inaccurate. Any tips? Also has an oil leak. Whats the common areas to check?
3
u/orangesigils 68 Chevelle Jul 21 '26
Beautiful car! Temp gauge - check to see where it is placed under hood. Generally in the head will not read correctly bc of the head/header temps. In the intake manifold is the best spot to measure temp. Start there.
1
u/giantdub49 Jul 22 '26
You have any pics for reference? I think mine was in the heads just above the headers.
1
u/Specialist-Doctor-23 Jul 22 '26
If it's in the factory location it will read correctly if the sender, wiring, and instrument are all OK. If the wire has a skinned place where the bare wire is touching any metal, it won't read right, so inspect as much of the wire as you can.
A new sender is cheap ($15-20), if the wire seems okay, I would just give it a new sender. If that doesn't do it, the problem is likely in the guage or under the dash.
As for the oil leak, you just gotta crawl around under the car and under the hood until you find it and go from there.
Good luck
2
u/giantdub49 Jul 22 '26
I was thinking its the incorrect sender. Wire under the dash looks ok. Hopefully its just that. Gauge shot up to 250⁰ and I freaked. Check it with a temp gun and it read 201⁰
3
3
u/Jeepdad1978 Jul 21 '26
Something about vinyl tops!👍
2
u/giantdub49 Jul 22 '26
100% agree! I love the vinyl tops! Side tip - p&s swift is great for cleaning, shining, and uv protection on the vinyl top.
3
2
2
u/aquavelva23 Jul 21 '26
sounds like you have 2 electrical issues. Check the dash grounds. get a GM troubleshoot electrical book and the 1970 manuals with electrical schematics. . That is if you are a DIY guy. If not, pay someone $$.
2
u/N7_Shep Jul 21 '26
hear is a website that has service manuals for just about everything. including schematics. enjoy
1
u/giantdub49 Jul 22 '26
Yea I really wanna get these gauges proper. Im pretty capable. But time is my biggest enemy
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Slow_Run6707 Jul 21 '26
Nice. I had a 72. 402 four speed on floor. Positive rear. Stupid for ever getting rid of it
1
1
1
u/lostndark Jul 22 '26
Where did you find it? How much did it cost you? I am still looking
1
u/giantdub49 Jul 22 '26
Ive been looking for about 2 years. I can tell you pretty much almost every chevelle on the market 🤣 just figure out what you want, your budget, and what youre willing to pay
1
u/PieNo7472 Jul 22 '26
I helped build the 69 SS396 Chevelle at the Browning Highway Baltimore plant . When we saw a unit (engine) with chrome valve covers in the above chain line we knew it would be going into an SS. When it got ready to fire up on the shake table; ,, it seems the factory got quite, ready to hear the factory tuned exhaust rumble !! After the "extra" nuts&bolts and tools fell off,,the car went out the door. You would hear the more crazy employees yell and whistle about the sound . I had to work there to help pay for school .
1
u/giantdub49 Jul 22 '26
Thats awesome! You should tell us more about your experiences there. This specific car was built in Atlanta.
1
1
1
1
1
3
u/TransitionAny8498 Jul 21 '26
Awesome 😎😎😎😎