The Javelin is a great car since there aren't many left on the road. The car did not come with many options from the factory and when it does run, it does pretty good. I enjoy taking trips to the local dairy queen on Friday nights for the informal car cruises held during the warm months.
The carb is tired and has seen better days. The early emissions system is shot and I already have an Edelbrock Performer with a Holley 600 carburator to replace it.
I'd like to get a 2.5 dual exhaust system for a performance upgrade over the 30 odd year old single banging under the floor board. I made a couple of calls to local muffler shops and the prices are insane. So, it's time to look for a universal and some knock off mufflers to try a back yard job and take it to get welded. The prices were from 680.00 to 850.00 for a system that runs over the axle and out the rear bumper.
Power Train:
A mighty 304 monster pumping out a less than impressive 150hp,
No catalytic converters to hassel with or emissions testing needed,
3.08 open rear end,
904 Automatic Transmission,
Interior:
Factory Tilt steering wheel,
Console with factory horsecollar shifter,
Interior colors are black with white vinyl seats.
Exterior:
Yellow with wide side stripes.
"Magnum Wheels" wheels with trim rings, (14x6).
Suspension:
Front sway bar,
Power disc brakes upfront with drum set ups on the rear,
Features:
Factory A/C,
Factory AM/FM Radio,
Power brakes,
Power steering,
When buying an older car, expect repairs and to be replacing parts to make the car more reliable and safer to drive. The Javelin had been sitting for several years in a garage and did need work. Before you commit to purchasing the car you had better consider your budget and the fact you may gotten a money pit.
| Improvements | Here are the parts, sources and effect on the Javelin | Part | Source | Upgrade | Cost | Result| The Javelin | Craig's List | The Javelin was needing a fresh leash on life after being stored for several years after being recovered from a theft. | $1,200.00 | Limped home on leaking, mismatched tires | Used Tires | Big O tire shop | Scored a set of Firehawk tires and had them mounted and balanced, with no problems. Could you believe they were available in 14's? | $78.00 | Damn tire guys lost one of my center caps! | Battery Cables | Part store | The car would not charge and ran like crap. The cables looked like ass. Murphy strikes! | $20.00 | Runs a little better | Oil leaks | Local Mechanic | I needed new gaskets since the timing chain cover was leaking like a siv. Had the oil pan gasket changed along with installing new motor mounts. The passenger side strut mounts were damaged from the oil leaks and were also dead players. | $425.00 | No more oils leaks! | Radiator | On Line vendor | While solving one issue, I still noticed green leaks from the front of the car and found the radiator had hairline cracks with several pin holes. A local shop wanted an unholy 450.00 just to install a new upper tank to replace the cracked unit. I told them to enjoy the old unit and found a brand new 4 core unit for a steal and is a major upgrade over the stock unit. | $289.00 including shipping! | What the hell is that pink stuff? | Hoses and clamps | Parts store | Installed new upper and lower hoses and replaced the hardened heater hoses! | $35.00 | Looking good! | Alternator | Parts store | The alt light was coming on and the car left me stranded after just driving a short distance. | $45.00 | Seems to be fine, for now. | Misc parts | Parts store | The usual suspects. New heater lines, a total of 8' feet, clamps, new oil and filter. You know the drill. | $30.00 | No impact, routine use! | Edelbrock Performer | E-Bay | An aluminum intake for better performance. | $50.00 | Not installed! | Holley Carb | E-Bay | 600 Vacuum secondary unit rebuilt and ready to go. | $35.00 | Not installed! | Spark Plugs | Parts Store | I forgot how easy they are to change in an older car. | $12.00 | done in under 40 mintues! | |
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