1964 Valiant "Get Runnin & Drivin"

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Got the seats out tonight and what was left of the rubber floor mat. A little disappointed that it has more rust than I thought, or than I really wanted to deal with, but even still, for a 55 year old car I have no complaints. The panels are available, so that's a good thing. I will have my other two new tires here tomorrow and get them on and back it out of the shop for pictures and maybe a video.

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Those rubber mats were terrible for these cars, especially if the windshield gasket or wiper seals leaked. That’s more rust than my Minnesota Valiant had...but at least you can buy those parts and they are not too badly priced either.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Got the seats out tonight and what was left of the rubber floor mat. A little disappointed that it has more rust than I thought, or than I really wanted to deal with, but even still, for a 55 year old car I have no complaints. The panels are available, so that's a good thing. I will have my other two new tires here tomorrow and get them on and back it out of the shop for pictures and maybe a video.

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You will probly end up enjoying fixing those. Way worse than my 68 was , but will be hell on the knees. USE ATHICK SOFT PAD !!
 
RustyRatRod said:
Got the seats out tonight and what was left of the rubber floor mat. A little disappointed that it has more rust than I thought, or than I really wanted to deal with, but even still, for a 55 year old car I have no complaints. The panels are available, so that's a good thing. I will have my other two new tires here tomorrow and get them on and back it out of the shop for pictures and maybe a video.

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Given your mechanical inclination and kick *** attitude, this should be a piece of cake.

Just sucks the hind pig udder that will mean more money and time.

But in the end you will probably have a more solid car than a 60 year old survivor would be. Great time to do subframe connectors.

I would hit it...... with welds and fresh metal.
 
Rainy Day Auto said:
Given your mechanical inclination and kick *** attitude, this should be a piece of cake.

Just sucks the hind pig udder that will mean more money and time.

But in the end you will probably have a more solid car than a 60 year old survivor would be. Great time to do subframe connectors.

I would hit it...... with welds and fresh metal.
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That's the plan. I may not can do the connectors at the same time, but it's getting them. It was a little disappointing, but it's gonna get its butt handed to it. Got the other two tires in today and got them mounted. I backed it out of the shop today under its own power. Got the squirrels nest cleaned out of the seats and turned it around and back it into the shop. I figured it needed a clutch. It does. It moves, but it lets out right at the top of the travel. Oh well, with Evan's help it shouldn't take long. I think the next project is going to be the front of the engine. Water pump, thermostat, timing set, hoses and whatnot.

VALIANT OUTSIDE.jpg
 
RustyRatRod said:
That's the plan. I may not can do the connectors at the same time, but it's getting them. It was a little disappointing, but it's gonna get its butt handed to it. Got the other two tires in today and got them mounted. I backed it out of the shop today under its own power. Got the squirrels nest cleaned out of the seats and turned it around and back it into the shop. I figured it needed a clutch. It does. It moves, but it lets out right at the top of the travel. Oh well, with Evan's help it shouldn't take long. I think the next project is going to be the front of the engine. Water pump, thermostat, timing set, hoses and whatnot.

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Keep it coming >
Ur dam lucky to have some help !!
 
Thanks for the kind words, yall. I have an update video uploadin to youtube right now and will post soon as it's done.
 
You are motivating me to get back to working on my valiant wagon

I bought a really decent bench seat from a more door 65 valiant, so I took the ratty buckets out and put the bench in. I think I like the bench better

I had to get help because those benches are REALLY HEAVY and awkward

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Rainy Day Auto said:
You are motivating me to get back to working on my valiant wagon

I bought a really decent bench seat from a more door 65 valiant, so I took the ratty buckets out and put the bench in. I think I like the bench better

I had to get help because those benches are REALLY HEAVY and awkward

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Yes, they are somewhat awkward. I had to get Kitty's help to remove and reinstall my front seat. I can pick the whole thing up myself, it's just bulky and one person on each end is so much easier. Video still uploadin. I think yall will like it.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Yes, they are somewhat awkward. I had to get Kitty's help to remove and reinstall my front seat. I can pick the whole thing up myself, it's just bulky and one person on each end is so much easier. Video still uploadin. I think yall will like it.
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I am convinced the bench gives a better driving angle. With the Buckets I was eye level with the very top of the dash. With the bench all the way forward I am slightly higher and natural eye level with the hood line.

Both are with no pillows, just straight up seat
 
Rainy Day Auto said:
I am convinced the bench gives a better driving angle. With the Buckets I was eye level with the very top of the dash. With the bench all the way forward I am slightly higher and natural eye level with the hood line.

Both are with no pillows, just straight up seat
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I have always preferred bench seats to buckets. Buckets just seem cheaper and chinsey somehow.
 
As promised, the update video. I do owe a good bit to my wife, Kitty and of course, Evan. Couldn't have come this far without their help. I also have replaced the water pump and the thermostat and fan belt, but I neglected to mention those in the video. Hope yall like it.

 
Trick for a one "man" set install-

I use a couple of 1x4's about 4 feet long to slide the seat over the rocker area.
I also drill a hole in a couple 2x4 blocks to cover the studs so it slides easy.
There's precious little room to lift without hitting the roof and it's an awkward lift anyway.
Sliding it lets you use gravity and leverage to your advantage.

I've spent my entire life figuring out how to do "two man jobs" with only one man!


Tell us about that ford truck-

I bought a low mile 400 from a guy that was also selling a 77 camper special club cab 390.
 
RustyRatRod said:
As promised, the update video. I do owe a good bit to my wife, Kitty and of course, Evan. Couldn't have come this far without their help. I also have replaced the water pump and the thermostat and fan belt, but I neglected to mention those in the video. Hope yall like it.

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Enjoyed the video. Got a kick out of ur enthusiasm. You sound like an okie ! Gotta be a good ole boy ! LOL
Like the car too !
 
It's coming right along, Rob.
Thanks for posting the videos, it sure runs good now.
Your American southern accent couldn't be more different than my Canadian northern accent though............
lol!
 
YY1 said:
Trick for a one "man" set install-

I use a couple of 1x4's about 4 feet long to slide the seat over the rocker area.
I also drill a hole in a couple 2x4 blocks to cover the studs so it slides easy.
There's precious little room to lift without hitting the roof and it's an awkward lift anyway.
Sliding it lets you use gravity and leverage to your advantage.

I've spent my entire life figuring out how to do "two man jobs" with only one man!


Tell us about that ford truck-

I bought a low mile 400 from a guy that was also selling a 77 camper special club cab 390.
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If you're talking about the blue one, that was where I bought the car in Ball Ground, Georgia.

If you're talkin about the white one. That's my daily driver, Gladys. She's a 75 F250 Camper Special. It's a pretty rare truck. The data plate begins the VIN with "F253" which indicates it's a heavy duty F250 (8100 GVWR). It's essentially an F350 badged as an F250. That AND it has the Camper Special package. Originally a 360 but somewhere along the way it was transplanted a 351M. Four speed truck with the BW T18 with the double low first gear. Dana 60 3.73.
 
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Dartnut said:
It's coming right along, Rob.
Thanks for posting the videos, it sure runs good now.
Your American southern accent couldn't be more different than my Canadian northern accent though............
lol!
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Thanks. lol We have a Canadian that's a regular customer. He's actually the cousin of one of the girls that works with us. Super col guy. When I first met him, I said "you ain't from around here, are you?" He bout fell out.
 
famous bob said:
Enjoyed the video. Got a kick out of ur enthusiasm. You sound like an okie ! Gotta be a good ole boy ! LOL
Like the car too !
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Thanks, Bob. It's got me pumped back up for sure. My plan is to get this driving and move on to the next project.
 
For the first 4-5 years after I moved to Missouri from Georgia back in '79, all I ever heard from anyone was "What ya say", "can ya repeat that", "where ya from boy", "are ya from Arkansas!?" lol
 
Got the battery cables replaced tonight. They were pretty shot. Thanks to @artfulldodger I was able to get the wipers fixed. It was mission an arm and he hooked me up with a few. Got the refills on and got the wipers going. Going to get the broken studs removed from the tail light housings tomorrow and get those back in with new bulbs.
 
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