A post for Silicon :-)

[bhw33191]

I know you mentioned having a Chevy Vega in a recent thread. I went to a car show today and guess what i saw! Its a MINT 1975 vega "GT." I gutta tell you that engine is hilarious, the guy said it runs perfect which i guess is rare cause these engines were experimental. I didn't take a good picture of it but that radiator is SMALL, for lack of better thing to compare it to its the size of a record sleeve. And oh yeah 35,000 miles!!!!!

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by bhw33191

I know you mentioned having a Chevy Vega in a recent thread. I went to a car show today and guess what i saw! Its a MINT 1975 vega "GT." I gutta tell you that engine is hilarious, the guy said it runs perfect which i guess is rare cause these engines were experimental. I didn't take a good picture of it but that radiator is SMALL, for lack of better thing to compare it to its the size of a record sleeve. And oh yeah 35,000 miles!!!!!

Yes, my '74 Vega looked like that except it was yellow, and it wasn't the GT version. Ditto for the '75 hatchback, except it was a medium metallic blue.

Those engines were anything but experimental - that was the full Vega motor right there. Lots of memories looking at that. They ran really good but there was a problem with the design, or the technology of the era which wasn't advanced enough for this engine. It was ahead of its time - most engines now being made incorporate technology that was used in this engine from 1971. The problem is that the block was cast from hypereutectic aluminum alloy, and the head was cast iron. If the engine overheated (which was relatively frequent), more often than not, it would result in a warped cylinder head and a blown gasket, making it overheat harder. The bores were not steel sleeved and as such, they obtained a 'riding surface' for the piston rings by etching a little aluminum from the bore, exposing silicon in the alloy. The silicon made a decent surface but it wore fairly quick, leading to increased oil consumption. Many Vega engines were known to be 'smokers'. I believe in '76, the blocks received steel bore sleeves, which made the engine very reliable. This engine was used in JM H-body cars (RWD) from 1971-1977. This includes the Vega, Monza, Pontiac Astre and Sunbird, the Olds Starfire and Buick Skyhawk.

And, the radiators were small, but the engine was 140 cubic inches (2.3l). Looking at the air cleaner on that, it has the progressive 2bbl carb on it with the 'hot' cam. Those engines had a good amount of power. My '74 had a one barrel on it and it refused to climb grades of 5% or more with speeds greater than 20mph. My '75 had the engine in your pictures and it was quite a bit more powerful.

It was a fun car (the '75) to drive. Too bad I was only 17 at the time ... I should have kept that car! It got almost 30mpg with the 3-speed stick.

[PeteA216]

All I can really say is... veeeerrrryy interesting. Really though. I wonder why the car didn't last. I know there's gotta be an obvious explanation just like most of the cars that were discontinued.

[bhw33191]

I must add, this car was very small altogether. The inside reminds me of some British sports car or something European like the MG Midget. But i guess thats expected since this car was a response to the Japanese imports that began to invade.

[mike561]

very cool, the front kinda reminds me of the car they had on wanye's world only in red lol. diddnt they discontinue the chevette for a simmilar reason too?

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by PeteA216

All I can really say is... veeeerrrryy interesting. Really though. I wonder why the car didn't last. I know there's gotta be an obvious explanation just like most of the cars that were discontinued.

this was the begining of the decline in the US auto manufacturing market....these where designed as affordable...but in reality is was an expesive vehicle to keep on the road.....if you got 40,ooomi on this you where lucky....

It was add oil check gas every time you used it and the heads where total junk...these vehicles overheated in the hot summer always..they also in the rust belt rusted thru in 3years...that why it is rare to see this vehicle looking so good....during this era I owned a 1973 impala...2door..


If a 1973 impala hit this vega you would be dead...maybe the impala bumper would have a scratch...no dents though..

[bhw33191]

Originally Posted by mike561

very cool, the front kinda reminds me of the car they had on wanye's world only in red lol. diddnt they discontinue the chevette for a simmilar reason too?

Haha yeah. It was an AMC pacer