1966 Factory V8 Valiant Signet Restoration For My Other Daughter

[Jim Kueneman]

The Valiant has gotten a private benefactor. My builds qualify for him to sell me OEM belts that have a great story but I will respect his privacy and won’t share. I am honored to run these Mr. X. Notice that they are the correct width for the pulleys!

 

[ValiantRacing]

What master cylinder is that you have, did that work with the factory power booster? my daughter has a 65 with power brakes and a 1 line master cylinder.

Thanks

 

[Jim Kueneman]

What master cylinder is that you have, did that work with the factory power booster? my daughter has a 65 with power brakes and a 1 line master cylinder.

Thanks

Is is a clone of the Bendix booster and MC for a B Body. Pirate Jack carries them. Can’t recall the company name. Can get on EBay too. Have not proven it clears the valve cover on the V8 yet

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Is is a clone of the Bendix booster and MC for a B Body. Pirate Jack carries them. Can’t recall the company name. Can get on EBay too. Have not proven it clears the valve cover on the V8 yet

clarification you can get it for a B body or with the bracket for an A body.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Friday night, sitting in the back seat of the wife’s 63 Dart in the garage, drinking a beer listening to the Bluetooth and Balance dreaming of retiring in 15 working days. Life is good. Should be working on the Valiant but going on a dirt bike ride to Colorado next week.

 

[Clelan]

Congratulations on your retirement!

Cley

 

[4.7Light]

The retirement is awesome news enjoy it! Buddy of mine has 9 days left also 59. 53 I see it coming I'm excited but I have a ways to go.

 

[JayinMI]

Congrats on th retirement. My dad retired when he was 48...I turned 49 last month...I still have a ways to go...lol

 

[RustyRatRod]

The Valiant has gotten a private benefactor. My builds qualify for him to sell me OEM belts that have a great story but I will respect his privacy and won’t share. I am honored to run these Mr. X. Notice that they are the correct width for the pulleys!

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That's great you can get the right belts. It's tough for us slant 6 guys. The original width belts on the slant sixes were 3/8 and those are all but extinct now. You get either 13/32 or 15/32 and most of the time it's a 15/32 in a 13/32 sleeve. Nobody carries the correct thin belts anymore and they look at you like you have two heads when you ask.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Friday night, sitting in the back seat of the wife’s 63 Dart in the garage, drinking a beer listening to the Bluetooth and Balance dreaming of retiring in 15 working days. Life is good. Should be working on the Valiant but going on a dirt bike ride to Colorado next week.

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Well congratulations on your retirement, Jim!

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Been quiet on the western front. Went dirt bike riding in Colorado for a week. Been struggling with getting the fuel line from the pump to carb the way I want it. Been getting ready for retirement (Friday is my last day), heading to the mountains for a month in a week... just not much happening... I will get restarted once we return from the mountains.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Been busy. I am now retired as of yesterday! Maybe I’ll have time to finish this! One more thing I have been dreading is done. Is tricky with factory AC. Lots of templates and practice bends help a lot.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Torque converter bolts blue locktite and torqued. Flex plate cover installed the correct transmission and engine braces installed. Starter bolted in left-hand side manifold bolts modified to allow a .300 inch header flange to be installed so that the manifold does not hit the Edelbrock aluminum heads. Original 273 manifold gaskets and shields installed with high temperature silicone and this side is done.



 

[B-i-n-g-o]

Torque converter bolts blue locktite and torqued. Flex plate cover installed the correct transmission and engine braces installed. Starter bolted in left-hand side manifold bolts modified to allow a .300 inch header flange to be installed so that the manifold does not hit the Edelbrock aluminum heads. Original 273 manifold gaskets and shields installed with high temperature silicone and this side is done.



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Beautiful! Congratulations on retirement!

 

[RustyRatRod]

Nice work, Jim!

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Stick a fork in it, ready to go in. Need a few days of painting under the hood and black out the radiator support and it can be rolled in.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Getting use to this really fast.

 

[mpgmike]

Insurance company statistics project recent retirees as having about 2 years to live. Why? Because folks tend to shut down when they retire; their mind & body no longer get use. Those that live longer stay active. When you're finished with the Valiant, find another one to keep you busy! You have fans like me!!

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Insurance company statistics project recent retirees as having about 2 years to live. Why? Because folks tend to shut down when they retire; their mind & body no longer get use. Those that live longer stay active. When you're finished with the Valiant, find another one to keep you busy! You have fans like me!!

They die because the insane stress they are under dealing with pensions and health care after they retire. They has become so clear to me now!

 

[pickels]

They die because the insane stress they are under dealing with pensions and health care after they retire. They has become so clear to me now!

I must be doing something right then. I retired at 59 and now 78 and still messing around with old cars. Nice job Jim, keep up the good work

 

[B-i-n-g-o]

Hey, Jim!

This is just an inspiring thread I keep coming back to!

My wife loves the color...is that the factory 'SS1' soft yellow shown on the fender tag?

Alright if I copy you on a 63 'vert in North Carolina?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Hey, Jim!

This is just an inspiring thread I keep coming back to!

My wife loves the color...is that the factory 'SS1' soft yellow shown on the fender tag?

Alright if I copy you on a 63 'vert in North Carolina?

Thanks,
Steve

It is more close to RR1 Yellow. SS1 is more white than yellow. I know this has become my favorite restoration. Mainly because I could not see the vision before I started.. It just developed over time. Nothing really to copy! It is mainly what MOPAR sold with some wheels!

 

[Jim Kueneman]

For those with early A's with factory AC on a small block get your upper radiator hoses now... they are becoming almost unobtainium. It is not clear if they are out of production or not. They are also very unique. I found 2 on ebay and snagged both. I also have a couple on backorder through Amazon... The part number is Continental (Goodyear) 60661. These are for straight neck thermostat housing AC small blocks. They have the right twists and turns to get around the compressor and AC lines/mufflers. For non AC 60666 I believe is the right number for straight neck. Also @lemondana says 60662 is the lower and looking at a photo it looks correct.

 

[B-i-n-g-o]

Thanks for the color information! I'm going to get Mabel running, and we'll drive and enjoy a few years before new paint...

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Yea I’m suppose to be in the mountains for 2 more weeks. Long story but I’m home for the weekend alone. A few things arrived. The last 2 Continental 60661 upper radiator hoses in existence? And the 60662 for the bottom. The 661 is the correct one with a straight neck and AC. 60666 is straight neck no AC.

@lemondana they are made in Malaysia and Thailand now.