1969 - 1970 VALIANT VF PACER
BODY & CHASSIS
Rust can affect structural areas of these cars and cause the front to literally break away in a heavy impact. From underneath check for rust or cracks around the sub-frame mounting points, steering box and inner mudguards. Some rust repair panels are being made by after-market suppliers and structural steel including floor pans and sills is available too. With the cost of quality chroming now extreme it came as no surprise to find reconditioned front and rear bumpers now costing close to $1000 each. Secondhand bars and other chrome can be found at swap meets and via Chrysler clubs.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The Slant Six is easy to find or rebuild and is one of the more durable power units available. Provided they haven’t been overheated to the point where rings crack and the cylinder head warps, 300,000 kilometres can be expected between rebuilds. Replacement cylinder heads are available at less than $1000, with standard pistons and rings around $500 a set. They do leak oil from around the head and timing cover but unless the car is concours and priced accordingly a squirt of degreaser and wipe down every few weeks solves the problem. The manual transmission and standard diff are very tough and easily reconditioned. A complete gear-shifter with linkages found its way onto a classifieds site for just $600.
SUSPENSION & BRAKES
The VF Pacer doesn’t have the same competition pedigree as the later VG but the process for making them handle was the same. Cracked or merely tired torsion bars can be replaced by new heavy-duty units and will combine with new bushings to minimise roll when negotiating bends. After that it just depends how much negative camber you want to apply and how long you want your tyres to last. Steering can feel disconnected but reconditioned steering boxes or a complete rack and pinion conversion are available. Look at rear leaf springs for cracks especially near the shackles and leaking shock absorbers. Brakes that take a long time to react or have a mushy pedal at start-up need money spent. Conversion to front discs is worth considering.
INTERIOR & ELECTRICS
Providing a VF’s seats are structurally sound, your trimmer will have no trouble replacing the internal padding and external vinyl with something very similar to the original. Plastic instrument covers crack and distort due to heat, fuel and temperature gauges may not work at all due to sensor problems. New door trims and padded armrests, hood-lining and carpet sets are available. Finding a correct replacement for the Pacer steering wheel will be difficult however adaptors costing around $90 are available so a range of after-market wheels can substitute.