The Alaskan Amphi

[Craig Taylor]

Hi all, I have a few questions. First I had a good look at the car last
night. It is complete and runs well. The owner is in Florida and a
friend of his is selling it for him so can't answere alot of my
questions. I was told the car has been in storage sence 89. I noticed
it has a plexi glass windshield. I thought these cars had glass
windows. It has had some body work done. No evedence of rust can be
found. It needs a new top and the front top bow, on the driver side,
needs to be rewelded. Can anyone give me a # for Gordons imports? Do
they have an 800 #? Sence this car has been in storage so long I'm
wondering if anyone could give me a run down of the items I should hit
with Amsoil. Wheel bearing come to mind but I'm sure there are a lot of
lube points on these cars. I also noticed a hole behind the rear
pasenger wheel. I can see the oil pan drain plug through it. Is that
the bilge plug hole? I found a plug in the glove box that looks home
made. Could someone send me a snap shot of theirs? I don't know that
I'd trust the plug I have in the water. Who's a good supplyer for Tops
for these cars? Gordons? Sorry no pics yet. The batery was dead last
night.
Thanks again for the help.

Craig, Flat Lake Alaska

 

[martyandcaryl@charter.net]

Craig
The windshield should be glass, you are right. It is good that you
see no visible rust; butyou know there's going to be some somewhere,
they all have some. Gordon's has new tops and all the parts
related. The numbers for Gordon's are: 714-523-3512 & 562-802-1608.
It wouldn't be bad to check all wheel bearings and grease them up
with Amsoil, it does the best job of anything. There are many lube
points, some easy to get to and some not; but you got to do them all.
Yes you found the bilge plug hole. My plug looks homemade too and is
of brass, it works fine. You drain your oil through the hole as well.
Dave the Wave can help you with more questions on getting it ready
for your first swim.
Marty

--- In amphicar-lovers@y..., Craig Taylor <craigtaylor@a...> wrote:
> Hi all, I have a few questions. First I had a good look at the car
last
> night. It is complete and runs well. The owner is in Florida and a
> friend of his is selling it for him so can't answere alot of my
> questions. I was told the car has been in storage sence 89. I
noticed
> it has a plexi glass windshield. I thought these cars had glass
> windows. It has had some body work done. No evedence of rust can be
> found. It needs a new top and the front top bow, on the driver
side,
> needs to be rewelded. Can anyone give me a # for Gordons imports?
Do
> they have an 800 #? Sence this car has been in storage so long I'm
> wondering if anyone could give me a run down of the items I should
hit
> with Amsoil. Wheel bearing come to mind but I'm sure there are a
lot of
> lube points on these cars. I also noticed a hole behind the rear
> pasenger wheel. I can see the oil pan drain plug through it. Is
that
> the bilge plug hole? I found a plug in the glove box that looks
home
> made. Could someone send me a snap shot of theirs? I don't know
that
> I'd trust the plug I have in the water. Who's a good supplyer for
Tops
> for these cars? Gordons? Sorry no pics yet. The batery was dead
last
> night.
> Thanks again for the help.
>
> Craig, Flat Lake Alaska

 

[Ed Howard]

There is probably someone better on the list to answer
some of your questions about checking a car after long
term storage, but I will try to help you from a new
guy's point of view. If any others on the list are
more "expert" than me, feel free to step in and add to
my answers here.

The windshield glass should be glass. I understand
they are difficult to find.

Gordons number can be found by going to
www.amphicar.com and going to the "Classifieds"
section. He always has an ad running. He does NOT have
an 800 number. You can fax him, though, and he will
send you a catalog.

The bilge plug hole is what you are describing on the
hull behind the passenger wheel. I think Gordons will
sell you the proper plug for about $20-25. It should
be brass with a hex nut on top.

Gordons has tops too. I think white tops went with red
cars.

A quick way (maybe not in your weather though!) to
check for leakage would be to put the bilge plug in
and then stick a garden hose running into the bilge
area under the rear seat. Let it fill up some and see
if water leaks out. Then stick the hose in the engine
compartment around the battery area (chronic problem
area in Amphis) to check for leaks. I found it hard to
test the seals at the doors unless I was actually in
the water, though.

Check operation of the bilge pump also with this water
in the bilge area (when you have a good battery).

Ed Howard
Orange County, Ca
64 Red


--- Craig Taylor <craigtaylor@alaska.com> wrote:
> Hi all, I have a few questions. First I had a good
> look at the car last
> night. It is complete and runs well. The owner is in
> Florida and a
> friend of his is selling it for him so can't answere
> alot of my
> questions. I was told the car has been in storage
> sence 89. I noticed
> it has a plexi glass windshield. I thought these
> cars had glass
> windows. It has had some body work done. No evedence
> of rust can be
> found. It needs a new top and the front top bow, on
> the driver side,
> needs to be rewelded. Can anyone give me a # for
> Gordons imports? Do
> they have an 800 #? Sence this car has been in
> storage so long I'm
> wondering if anyone could give me a run down of the
> items I should hit
> with Amsoil. Wheel bearing come to mind but I'm sure
> there are a lot of
> lube points on these cars. I also noticed a hole
> behind the rear
> pasenger wheel. I can see the oil pan drain plug
> through it. Is that
> the bilge plug hole? I found a plug in the glove box
> that looks home
> made. Could someone send me a snap shot of theirs? I
> don't know that
> I'd trust the plug I have in the water. Who's a good
> supplyer for Tops
> for these cars? Gordons? Sorry no pics yet. The
> batery was dead last
> night.
> Thanks again for the help.
>
> Craig, Flat Lake Alaska
>
>


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