Recently purchase 1982 245 dl w/195K. The car had been sitting for about a year. It seems to have recieved a reasonable amount of care in its lifetime.
Overall,the condition warrants my attempt to get 40k more miles out of the car.
I managed to run the vehicle three or four hundred miles before a start-up problem developed.I've replaced the
spark plugs, reworked the leads at the battery posts and various connections,
such as the solonoid. I've detected some deterioted wires and have tried to
improve their conditon. I've pulled the top of the alternator and cleaned the contacts. The alternator belt is needing to be replaced (by the way ,how is the
alternator loosened?). What happens? Turn key, hope, car cranks, won't engage
then maybe the car will kick over in sputs and chokes and without rythm, but then, with some fluttering foot play on the accelerator the car begins to bang
along and then something seems to kick in and the engine idles like no problem.
I realize that several parts should be replaced,such as the distributor cap and rotor and the wires but I'd like to prioritize the expenses and make this engine dependable. I've looked for information on this sites archives and
have picked up some good clues and tips, but I would appreciate a direct opinion. Thank you.