[AT] Chevy Astro

[George Willer]

Frobl,

The transmission was unique.  It was a 4 speed that was controlled only by
RPM and throttle position.  It required a special tool to synchronize the
two.  I still have mine.

The low compression is certainly a problem for starting.  I've helped a few
by giving them new rings.  Chevy rings if the lands are a little worn.
Funny thing... their cam ground pistons are so expensive that it's practical
to machine the ring grooves if necessary, bore the cylinders, and add
sleeves to bring them back to stock size and re-use the original pistons
that don't seem to wear at all!!!  25 years ago pistons were over $200
apiece.  They're probably $500 or more by now.

George Willer

> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com [mailto:at-
> bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Francis Robinson
> Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2006 5:33 PM
> 
> 
> 
> 	You are supposed to change oil???    ;-)    I do seem to recall that
> pre-screen. The first thing I did was acquire a book on it. That 240-D had
> a
> questionable tranny in it when I bought it (and compression was a little
> low), otherwise it had been pretty well restored inside and out. When the
> tranny finally got worse I checked on having it rebuilt and it was extra
> pricey. Instead I found a good one in a car salvage yard in Indy called
> "Old
> Cars For Fun". The PO had just done a full engine rebuild before dying
> from
> a heart attack and that was to be the last job before painting it. The
> "Old
> Cars" guy bought it for the engine for one he was redoing otherwise he
> didn't deal in foreign cars. I figured since the PO was driving it daily
> and
> thought it was worth restoring that the tranny must have been OK. I gave
> $125 for the tranny and paid an alley mechanic I know that knew about them
> another $125 to put it in. I was right, it was a great tranny.  The tranny
> installation was pretty straight forward but I was trying to get corn run
> at
> the time and wanted to head to TN just as soon as I got done with the
> corn.
> The compression was no problem except in cold weather then you had to
> carry
> a few thousand feet of extension cord so you could keep it plugged in for
> starting. It was a great driving car that handled fantastically in the
> mountains.
> 
> --
> "farmer"
> 
> The brave may not live forever but the easily frightened may never live at
> all.
> 
> Francis Robinson
> Central Indiana, USA
> robinson at svs.net
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
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