1966 Valiant Sedan V8 Swap (Victoria)

[jeppe swede]

Nice one the same way we did it back in the 80s. About the steering box im fiddling around with a rack and pinion from a volvo 240.
And it seems like it going to fit another one i been told is from old 80 early 90s bmw 5 series. And with the steering box out of they way.
The 67 and up a body headers almost fit . I know welding and bending and some more work will be nessecery. and of course a B&M shifter to eliminate
the shifter wires or dont know what its called but the pins and stuff for the shifter.
if you have a never auto trans than the stock one. and a hump in the crossmember on the right side of the car.
Yes i will post photos of it i a neer future of my progress on the 64 dart. But the wether is working aganst me its snowing like f###k here and its cooooold.
And the old every day chevy pick is broke again. Yes its a chevy but coulnt back on the deal i payed 60 bucks for the hole chabang.
Sorry dropt the subject again.
Take care and have a good one Jeppe swede

 

[memike]

Addressing this on this beautiful Thursday I am having here, just a little to close for my comfort. Pictures of completion to be posted today.
50 degrees here now, 66 for the high. May even get me a bike ride in on some old old back country gravel roads.
Everyone have a great day

 

[memike]

Steering shaft is done and clears the headers now.
Looks like the radiator that Tony Fields had ordered for his 67 Barracuda will fit, he ended up buying an aluminum one and gifted me this one, so looks like an older year model water pump is in order.

 

[toolmanmike]

Getting closer Mike. Looking good

 

[memike]

Getting closer Mike. Looking good

thank you Mike, I did take a break away from everything and took a fun ride, 73 degree day you know I had to Mike , stopped and enjoyed talking to a friend for a few minutes then back home .

 

[krazykuda]

Steering shaft is done and clears the headers now.
Looks like the radiator that Tony Fields had ordered for his 67 Barracuda will fit, he ended up buying an aluminum one and gifted me this one, so looks like an older year model water pump is in order.

View attachment 1715486265

Who climbed in the engine bay and has their head sticking up???? Don't close the hood until they get out... LOL!!!

 

[krazykuda]

thank you Mike, I did take a break away from everything and took a fun ride, 73 degree day you know I had to Mike , stopped and enjoyed talking to a friend for a few minutes then back home .

View attachment 1715486268

View attachment 1715486269

Nice bike...

 

[memike]

Who climbed in the engine bay and has their head sticking up???? Don't close the hood until they get out... LOL!!!

I took pictures to measure to make sure my carb and breather has room for my hood .

 

[memike]

Spent some time with my sons, we had the run of where my son Creed works today and took advantage of his skills and tools on hand.
Made my own heat shield, yep, stainless .
Don't know what gage it is but I can't bend it, when these men are busying I leave them alone.

 

[memike]

Top bolts are in and the bottom is setting on a rubber gasket, I believe I am good to go and the hood should fit. I hope, but looks like it.

Anyone needing the cut out specks for Hooker super comps 66 fender well headers, in the last picture

 

[memike]

So, take a straight edge and lay the edge on the face of the drum in the rear! Now measure from the edge that is on the drum to the leaf spring, and also from that face to the wheel lip edge! Let's say that it is 4" from the spring and 6" from the wheel lip edge! You would like a little clearance on each side so subtract 3/4" inch from the 4" measurement and you get 3 1/4" of backspace! Next you subtract about 1" of clearance from the drum edge to the wheel lip, 5"!! Using these numbers you could run an 8" rim with 3 1/4" backspace!! These are just imaginary numbers, but you get the pic!!

On my pictured example, this is the 66 Valiant, the distance between the spring and the drum face is 5 3/4" and between the drum face and the wheel lip is 5 1/2"! I am inclined to go with an inch on each side, so I can safely run 4 1/2" backspace and 4 1/2" from the drum to the lip! That equals 9" but I would err on the safe side and go with an 8" rim with 4" backspace!

View attachment 1714998811

View attachment 1714998812

View attachment 1714998813

thank you , you have been great help on this update on Victoria

 

[JDMopar]

Mike....in post 282, what size bike is that? I know it's a Kawasaki KDX? maybe? Just couldn't get the pic blowed up enough to see what size motor. Nice bike!!!

 

[memike]

Mike....in post 282, what size bike is that? I know it's a Kawasaki KDX? maybe? Just couldn't get the pic blowed up enough to see what size motor. Nice bike!!!

Thank you, it is a 2020 KLX 230 , top speed is 77 mph, I have 600 miles on it now, all on pavement, 6 speed fuel injection, no carburetor, traction control as well, great bike for my size to run to town or go grab breakfast or lunch, it keeps me young

 

[memike]

The very first ever new driver I have ever bought in my life for myself

 

[Bigdummy]

Is that on 1 wheel or 2?

 

[JDMopar]

Thanks Mike. Nice little bike! I’m a sucker for that Kawasaki green...lol. The first NEW vehicle purchase for me as well, was a 1995 Kawasaki ZX9R, and it was that same green. Bought it at 38 years old, and it was a much better bike than I was a rider. Had to sell it cause I was getting too brave with it! I have a 74 model Suzuki TS-185 street and trail that is nice....other than the motor being locked up. Been thinking about selling it and buying something new along the lines of your bike.

 

[memike]

Is that on 1 wheel or 2?

only two

Thanks Mike. Nice little bike! I’m a sucker for that Kawasaki green...lol. The first NEW vehicle purchase for me as well, was a 1995 Kawasaki ZX9R, and it was that same green. Bought it at 38 years old, and it was a much better bike than I was a rider. Had to sell it cause I was getting too brave with it! I have a 74 model Suzuki TS-185 street and trail that is nice....other than the motor being locked up. Been thinking about selling it and buying something new along the lines of your bike.

if it's in good shape those dealers pay well for those years of bikes for display, I have three dealers here and all of them have older bike being displayed, one has a nice 250 Honda elsinore, not for sale

 

[JDMopar]

Mike....you said that bike fits you well for your size, and that is important. What was it Roy D. Mercer said? "Just how big of a boy are you, anyway?" LOL. I'm 6', and 225....give or take a few biscuits, and the TS-185 fits me well.

 

[sireland67]

I would love to have another large street and trail. I loved my old DRZ 400, all I have now is an old Honda 100, but the Honda is mint and runs great with only 270 actual miles, 45 mph top speed will get me run over.
Thinking of buying a new CRF250L to put around on.

 

[memike]

Now that my mind and hart seems to be free of things ( loss of all three brothers) that was on my shoulders more then I thought, feeling alone in life, and filling the void with things did no good what so ever (cancer took 2 , hart problems took 1) life must go on, and hope to do just that.
Now to get moving again.

There was 4 of us, all gear heads, we worked together on each others cars. Now there is one.

 

[Demonracer]

Mike your best therapy would be to get Victoria on the road & take a long cruise talking to your brothers. That's just my opinion, it's helped me through some dark times.

 

[memike]

Mike your best therapy would be to get Victoria on the road & take a long cruise talking to your brothers. That's just my opinion, it's helped me through some dark times.

I am in total agreement, and hope to let the new light in, and live life like we mean it.

Thank you

 

[memike]

Made the decision a few days ago, so here i go.
Did this part last night as we had 60 degree weather going on.
Plus I was gifted a bigger and better wood stove from my younger son.

 

[memike]

Love the fact I can fill it up and close it for a long time, 4 plus hours.
Nice oak to burn this winter
I took a picture and sent it to @toolmanmike yesterday, crown on the rocks with a gentle splash of sprite.

 

[JDMopar]

Looks good Mike. Does that stove have a blower fan? If it does, I bet it keeps the shop pretty warm. You could put you up some concrete backer board on the wall behind it, and then tile over that to reflect even more heat. Ol pot belly stove sitting off to the right looks like he might have gotten fired, when the new guy showed up....lol. Stay warm up on the hill.