1966 Valiant Signet Convertible Resto

[FASTBACK340]

Shiney stuff is cool.....


The rear axle looks great. Please keep these pictures coming. I'll do the same as soon I have something to post.

 

[RPM]

lookin real good, this is where stuff is exciting, tearing things apart sucks, putting things together= awesome.

-RPM

 

[daves66valiant]

Got frame connectors in and now ready to powerclean the undercarriage and apply some evercoat to the bottom. The framerails went in nicely. Decided to stay away from the factory torque boxes and welded the tubing next to the frame rails. This also avoided capping and covering the framerail drain holes too. Not prefect but at least I didn't have to go up through the floorpans. As long as they function well I'm happy. Will post pictures tomorrow. :headbang:

 

[OldVart]

It sounds like you're progressing quite nicely Dave. What size and wall thickness did you use for your frame connectors?

 

[daves66valiant]

Used 1.5" x 1.5" x .125. It was a little different than the setups posted on BBD and other posts because the factory torque boxes were already there. Would have done it differently if there were no torque boxes maybe. Was still able to use the factory parking brake cable bracket holes on the passenger side but will have to re-route the fuel line anyways.

 

[OldVart]

Hmmm, yes, I forgot about the torque boxes on the rag tops. Are the connectors going to pose any problems with your exhaust pipe routing? With the torque boxes plus the connectors it should definitely keep the body twist to a minium. Good job.

 

[daves66valiant]

Thanks. I'm actually getting there bit by bit. There should not be any issues with the exhaust thankfully.

 

[daves66valiant]

Got the Lakewood bellhousing and Keisler 5-speed tremec tranny bolted onto the 340 the other night. My computer monitor crapped out so I can't post any pictures yet. Looking forward to getting my tti headers in a couple weeks. Can't wait to mock everything up before dropping everything in. Will keep this thread updated

 

[70coyoteduster]

Looking good! You're gonna love the Kiesler 5 speed. I'll bet you got those wheels from Stockton Wheel before they stopped making them for the sbp. Keep up the good work.

 

[daves66valiant]

Everything bolted on perfectly. Still need to do the runout measurements for the warranty cert. so I didn't put the flywheel or clutch plate on yet. Want to make sure everything mounts and clears well first. BTW I still need the 90* filter adapter in case you're wondering.

Looks pretty sweet right now. Was thinking about spraying some dupicolor clear on the tranny to keep it looking nice. or maybe not. Challenge for me will be cutting the tranny tunnel and building the floor shift hump from the template.

Next pictures will be the mock up of the tti's onto this setup with the pesky :cussing: powermaster ministarter. The tti guys didn't seem completely sure if everything would clear the lakewood bellhousing and keisler tranny. I sure hope everything goes well. I guess I will be the first guinea pig :snorting: Unless someone has been there already please let me know.

 

[OldVart]

Sweet.

 

[Longgone]

That should be one blast of a ride when it`s all done! Excellent job Dave! I just keep checking in to see pictures of the new paint?......

 

[daves66valiant]

Thanks for the comments. Should have primer on next week I hope. Driving down to the tti shop next week to pickup my headers and will be stopping by the paint shop to check up on things and drop off the new gas tank for painting/evercoating.

Hope to have something for ya by the end of next week. Headed back to Oklahoma to visit my folks. Going to put disc brakes on my dad's 67' Chevelle. Should be fun and I get a bit of practice for when I do my conversion. :headbang:

 

[daves66valiant]

Picked up my headers yesterday and started to mock them up to the engine. The passenger side fits perfect witht the lakewood housing. There is about a 1/4 in clearance from the housing onthe passenger side. I could grind some steel away from the header if needed but I don't think it will be necessary once the gasket goes on.

The driver side is another story. Everything clears well so far except one of the tubes touches the valve cover lip very slightly. May need to be massaged ever so slightly. I have not placed the clutch linkages yet but it should clear from what I can tell so far.

The custom starter goes in easily. I need a larger locking bolt for the top starter hole with the Lakewood housing, since it is not threaded like a standard bellhousing.

I should have some pictures up tomorrow. Looks like everything will work so far. Keeping my fingers crossed

 

[FASTBACK340]

Looking great! I'd love to upgrade to a Keisler 5 spd. later on. And as for the header tube contacting the valve cover, your right. You might have to "massage" the offending area. But do try and do a nice massage, not a dismemberment....

We're paying attention! Keep posting!

 

[daves66valiant]

Well the little Valiant is still coming along. I got the headers on and took a few pictures. I have not put the 90* oil filter adapter on just yet because I want to blast it and then re-paint the whole engine. The starter will go on and off without removing the headers which is nice. For all you guys looking into the tti exhaust I am very pleased and impressed so far. It is a tight fit but looks like it will work out well with the Lakewood and Keisler/Tremec Tranny

Really tight one here. Needed two gasket to get clearance from the valve cover. Still something I'm working on though.

 

[daves66valiant]

Just a quick update. I ended up trimming the valve cover and then sanded and polished it up. You can barely tell it was modified.

On Monday, I will be visiting the shop around noon. Should hopefully see some primer at least. I know that he's done nearly all the block sanding so far. Getting itching. I'd like to have it back before Christmas.

 

[OldVart]

Dave don't you dare forget your digital camera!! We're all waiting (no so) patiently for some pics.

 

[daves66valiant]

Don't worry it's in the glove box already.....so I won't forget :thumbup:

 

[daves66valiant]

Was a little bored after watching a little football today. Decided put the engine on a stand instead of using the engine crane. Still feeling productive, I pulled the M1 (since I'm replacing it with a RPM anyways) to take a look under the valve covers and check out the porting that was done on the J heads. Looks pretty cool.

There is a 3mm difference between the Head ports and the intake manifold ports. I'm wondering if I should port match the intake manifold to the Heads?

Then I decided what the hell I may as well put a fresh coat on her.

I kinda wish I had roller rockers on instead of the stamped rockers. I wonder how much more output the engine would have? You guys think it would be worthwhile to switch or just leave it alone? ugggh starting to ramble, maybe too much paint fumes. :sleepy3:

 

[daves66valiant]

Still no car yet. I expected a delay of course, but man am I getting antsy. No worries, I know she's in good hands. Hope to have a real update (pics) this week. Until then I'm just pluggin away at the litle things. Lots of buffing and polishing trim and the bumpers, sort of like a bad re-run of karate kid....vax on vax off :toothy7:

 

[daves66valiant]

Well I went to visit the Valiant today and I am so far very pleased with the work and attention to detail. There was a fresh coat of primer on the hood and trunk lid, while the rest of the car was shinny bare metal. :toothy7: It was interesting to see how MaMopar made these little Valiant Convertibles once all the paint comes off. I also got a chance to see the paint color. It looks awesome. I can't wait to see it on the car. Hope to have the trunk lid and hood delivered this weekend. The pics are not that special but at least I have some progress to report.

 

[SlotCarWon]

That looks fantastic! Looks like it's all metal to me.
I'm enjoying seeing your progress... it's very motivating.
I need to prep my car and get some paint on it.

 

[65s]

Clear coat the sucker now and have the only bare metal convertible around!

 

[daves66valiant]

Yeah I thought of that too. As did the painter. Hehe. MaMopar's Ragtop Silver Bullet

Thanks for the kind words. Seeing the steady progress really makes the project much more fun and enjoyable. It has been a couple years or so just getting all the parts together. Can't wait to get her back together. Hopefully by this Spring. That may be pushing it since I still have to do the trany swap, brakes, plumbing, suspension and other misc. stuff. It's doable I think. :nike: