It's got a brake booster called a Hydrovac, which is clearly visible on
the RH side of the engine compartment. These things are excellent when
they work, and a mega-pain when they don't. Rebuilds cost over $500
US, only available from West Auto Collection in France. Why the guy
says it has unassisted brakes, I don't know,unless the Hydrovac has
been disconnected (VERY dangerous).
The wheels are probably off a much later 404, being silver with small
hubcaps and with the oval brake cooling holes.
With rust over the rear arches, it will basically be everywhere. Look
for it on the frame rails that run beside the gearbox, under the floor,
in the seams on the floor/rocker panel, in the rear jack mounts, on the
top of the shock towers in the engine compartment. If it is present in
these areas, have it repaired ASAP, then treat the car's box sections
to something like Ziebart or Waxoyl.
I had a 1963 404 sedan from California in Vancouver. When I bought it,
it looked a bot better than that one (paint was way better) but the
rust was beginning over the rear arches. I never treated the rust
properly and within 5 years the car was so rusty it became unsafe to
drive. That's OK, mine was a beater that I paid $250 CDN for. But if
this one's a keeper, the body needs to be stabilised now! IT won't
last long in daily use in Seattle's climate.
The rear axle oil in these is always wrong. They need vegetable oil,
Castrol R40 would be perfect. If the car seems to have a high
frequency surge under drive, the rear axle's crown gear is ruined due
to gear oil being in the diff. They cost about $500 from the Peugeot
Museum parts service in France. If the rear axle, by some miracle, is
not destroyed, drain it immediately, flush with alcohol and varsol,
drain carefully and refill with Castrol R40.
I've seen speedo cables on ebay recently; she should get one
immediately. I hope the old one is still in place, because if it
isn't, they piss gearbox oil out the orifice!
If the gear linkage is sloppy, the rebuild kits are available in Europe
or about $100 or so. Floor gearshift conversions by Nardi are also
available occasionally; I sold a spare one 18 months ago to a guy in
the eastern US.
Better still, if you can source a 404 Kugelfischer-injected engine,
they are peerless. I converted my 1963 to KF2 injection, and with
about 100 HP, it goes like hell!
The 404 does not have that legendary Peugeot ride, unless it is fully
loaded, but the roadholding is good and the suspension is unbelievably
good on rough roads. The total lack of drivetrain and suspension noise
and vibration are this car's forté, still unbeaten today for
conventionally-sprung cars.
Good luck to her - it's gonna be a ride!
Mike Tippett
404 Coupé Injection
405 DL
smart fortwo cdi cabriolet
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Received on Tue Jul 12 20:37:11 2005
