Plymouth Valiant Signet 4d

[Bidle]

Well it has begun!! Don't really knew in which section to put this thread, but want to put all updates in this thread....

19 august 2011

I bought the Valiant and last friday I drove it to it's new temporary home where I will restore the car with help of a skilled friend.

In the future I'll post the progress and hope you guys will/can help me with the problems I'll face. I'm new in to this car restore scene.....

Here some photo's tot start with:

21 august 2011

So today I'm started and tried to remove all the moldings from the side and the windows. It seems to work so no problem there.

Only the moldings on the door!!!! I can't remove them, think the last owner glued them or something.... so I thought what the heck I'll just try to get reproductions/new ones. Only can't find them so don't know how to continue with this.......

Tomorrow night I'll continue and make some photo's of the car and in specific the bad parts, but to be honest I think it isn't that bad at all.


So really hope some of you will follow me the coming year(s) and van give me some advice!

Thx!!



22 august 2011

So today I found the car again in it's temporary place and made some photo's of the worst spot... well, which I can see at the moment:

Off-course there are more spots, but just made some photo's to get an idea. After the photo's I started to completely remove the molding of the windows and it went pretty good. Some clips hold them on to their place and if they didn't do the job all the sure did! ;-) Unfortunately some of the clips at the bottom of the windows (duh) are completely ruined. So will have to find new ones, but shouldn't be a big problem.

Also nice to see that within all these years the moldings weren't removed. Still can see the exact line of the new paint-jobs. Also I have the original papers of the car and it says it was green!

Lucky me; there was no rust to see beneath all the kit! I'll probably still remove the windows. So it's easier to remove the last clips and also will make it easier to install the new clips after spraying the car.

So I left the car and try to work on it as soon as I can,.... maybe tomorrow?

23 august 2011

Today I left the moldings for what it is. I hope to get some advice from people who encountered this before. So I started to remove the bumpers and grill.
Only the front bumper was a bit stuck but with the right tools and WD40 it surrendered. ;-)

The left side still is in good condition. The right side isn't that great and we will reproduce it. After it we will powder-coat it. This will be done for all the smaller parts with also a primer.
We will attend to this in a later stage.

As far as we can see at this point below the bumper everything looks pretty okay.

[note]
This is a photo of the small camera which helps us to make sure we have photo's of how the car was build. So we can look back how it was when we put the car together again
[/note]

The brackets of the back bumper is still in good condition and ready to be powder-coated.

Some photo's of the back without the bumper and one more from the rear-light from '72-'73. Still don't know if I will put back the original lights or keep these. But I got plenty time to decide.

Below the car at the back it also doesn't look bad, but enough work to do.

Well, I left the car again and will work on it again soon. It looks kind of sad....

24 august 2011

Didn't had much time but removed some parts of the grill:

25 august 2011

Today I wanted to remove the front fenders, but I only managed to remove only one. Behind the fender is still a lot of work to be done. Also a lot of screws broke and were stuck.

The fender also has some work and already wonder how the other side looks:

So I left the car after removing the fender.

 

[Bidle]

26 august 2011

Today I wanted to remove the other front fender. Unfortunately this one was welded at the bottom. So I had to cut it, but not a big problem.

Some of the screws are won't come out, because the clip is turning with the screw. And pushing the tip of the screw is quit annoying. So a friend made this strip, so you can easily push the tip of the screw.

When the fender was off I still had time and somebody gave me an offer for the Slant-Six 170ci. So we stayed and disconnected everything and before we knew it the motor was hanging.

So out with the old and now searching for a new nice engine. The engine compartment isn't too big, but a nice V8 should be possible. ;-)

So I left my car for the weekend looking like this:

27 august 2011

Today I went to a garage to get some info for a new V8. After that I was excited so I went back to the Valiant. I removed the rear lights and checked the difference between the original and the 72-73's. Still don't know what I want.

Then we started to take out the gas-tank. It was pretty straight forward. Don't know yet how we will make the new gas-tank, but it is also something for the future. ;-)

So I had to say the car goodbye again...

So really hope some of you will follow me the coming year(s) and van give me some advice!

Thx!!

 

[RPM]

Looks like your making some good progress ! Keep it up !

-RPM

 

[65 Dartman]

Welcome and will be following your progress. I did not see any American iron on the roads over there when we visited my son (lives in Hoofddorf ?) and works at Schiphol last year or in '08.

sent from my iPhone

 

[65 Dartman]

Welcome and will be following your progress. I did not see any American iron on the roads over there when we visited my son (lives in Hoofddorf ?and works at Schiphol) last year or in '08.

sent from my iPhone

 

[SD_R/T]

Looks like you've made lots of progress already. Well done! Having a 68 myself, I will be watching this one.

BTW, I wonder if the taillights were switched out at some point - maybe from a later year? I thought the '68s had the 3-light setup instead of the single piece?

Cool car. Long live the 4 doors!

 

[goldfish65]

As I saw the rapid progress shown in the first thread, I thought you might be from Europe, and I see that you are from The Netherlands...the way you work and get things done is impressive. It's great to see another a-body saved.

 

[70DartMike]

That's a pretty solid Valiant, and its good to see another 4 door. Keep the progress coming.

 

[65dartcharger]

Nice Valiant to start with and your doing great progress. Keep the pictures coming. What engine are you looking for?

 

[Bidle]

Hello All,

Thank you for the nice comments!! Well I just edited the first post... but had to post another because only 50 photo's are allowed in one post.

The taillights are indeed from a 72-73. And don't know yet if I put back the originals or these.....


I also have my first question!! Does anyone know where I can buy one of these:

Mine is not the greatest anymore, especially the rubber on the inside. I also have the original tank-cap. Still prefer this one as it has a lock.

 

[Bidle]

28 august 2011

Well the day started great. I easily removed the interior of the car! All seemed to look great...

The seats are in great condition and don't have any signs.

Only the doors have some spots below, but that's quit common.


29 August 2011

Today I wanted to scrape the floor of the car, but wish I didn't.... :-( The worst that could happened... I found a bad spot and it just didn't stop. The main problem is one of the beams is also rusted. You can clearly see it in the photo of 31st of August.
So I had to think about the whole restoration. Especially as I'm not an expert and all the work that suddenly showed on my doorstep. What to do next...

30 august

Today I started to gather information about all the possibilities that remain. So I found a address for a new floor-panel, but still the main problem is the beam underneath the car which is completely rotten. Also the beam to the front is in very bad state. Both have to be replaced and as I'm not a welder this means.... time, money, etc.

So I also got lots of info from different experts who perform restorations for a living. At the end it is possible, but a hell of a job. Especially for a rather big investment for a simple Valiant.
Also I got some great info for the advantages and disadvantaged for different baths.

Hmmmmm,.... what will be next.


Well bringing the car to the Junkyard will end it for sure,.. so it couldn't hurt just to cut it open and take a better look at the problem.


31 August 2011

Well today I continued with the Valiant and made a better photo of one of the beam.
Still not sure what to do with this situation...

In the mean time I'm killing some time to continue with the rest of the car. So I removed the inner-panels of the door.

Tomorrow I'll have limited time but will try to remove the door windows.

So really hope some of you will follow me the coming year(s) and van give me some advice!

Thx!!

 

[Bidle]

3 september

I spend more days to get proper info and had a nice message from another member!

Decided to get everything out of the car and to completely sandblast it. So we have a better understanding about the status of the car. Then I can decide what I want to do, but for now I'll start with cleaning the car. Removing kitt etc,.

 

[Bidle]

4 September 2011

Today I wanted to remove the doors and start on removing the ceiling. The doors were pretty easy! Just one jack beneath the door and remove all screws. Only one screw which was really stuck, but a bit of WD40 and it was loose.

Then started on the ceiling but it wasn't in the Haynes book so just carefully removed the 'sunshades' and the mirror, inner lamp, hook for jackets and the Hand... thing.. ;-)
Soon I discovered how it's made and realized I better remove the windows first.

A friend of mine told me to leave it for someone who did it before, but I had still time on the clock and gave it a go.
Just put a lot of grease in the rubber and opened them. Then I tried a wire but it broke all the time... so more grease and put a screwdriver gently beneath it so.
Then pushed with my feet against the window while somebody pulled away the rubber.... and then it came.

Time flies when you're having fun, so maybe tomorrow the rear window.

 

[Bidle]

5 September 2011

Today I just wanted to prepare the rear-window for tomorrow. Because I didn't had a lot of time, but while your busy you just want to continue. .. So I did.
Unfortunately the window was really stuck and couldn't manage it alone. Then two persons helped me and finally the rear window came out....pfff. Took almost two hours, including my own hassle. ;-)

Before storing the window I removed all the kit. And put the gasket on the window for protection. On the detail photo you can see clearly how the gasket is 'flipped' for removal.

 

[Bidle]

Hmm, will do the update later, cause photo-links are not working....

 

[Bidle]

Unfortunately I had some medical problems, but am recovering, so finally was able to continue with my Valiant.

28-11-2011
In the mean time a friend of mine removed the dashboard from the car.

10-1-2012
Then he made a frame to put the Valiant on. We managed with two trucks underneath the wheels. Then we easily removed the rear-axle.

13-1-2012
Now removing all the other parts. Some were pretty stuck, but with some fine tools and force it was done.

Also cleaning the inside.

The K-member did it's work and was relieved from it's duty. Now hope I can find a substitute for a V8. But maybe we find an alternative.

After a few hours we made quit a mess, so we cleaned the floor and when home.

27-1-2012
I already looked at different companies to help me out with the sand blasting. I finaly decided to go for Martin Dijkhof. A friend of mine already brought some doors to him, so we should be fine.

I called Martin and we were able to bring the Valiant. So put it on the trailer and drive.

Some photo's in daylight give a better idea of the rust.

14, 15, 17-01-2012 (three night)

After a phone call it became clear we had to clean the car better. We thought it was alright, but we had to completely remove all the stuff the bottom.
Fortunately they already did the top and inside of the Valiant.

To scratch the car was a real ^%@$!. Lucky my friend helped me and Martin put the Valiant on the side. It was even quit warm inside, so way better then in our own hall.

Here some photo's of the work Martin's employee's did for us.

18-1-2012
Saturday morning I went a to finish the last parts. After Martin gave the go ahead I went home.
Maybe after the sand blasting we still have to scratch.

So again time, to say goodbye to my Valiant.

 

[Bidle]

28 februari
The phone rang and it was time to go to the car. Luckily the car came out fine!! So I was very pleased.
Off course there was some scratching to do, but not to much. So we were off to Martin:

Seeing the car I was very happy, because indeed it didn't look to bad and there weren't any more nasty surprises!

Martin blows some of the sand away, so we can start scratching

All the parts that need some more attention are clearly visible so no problem there. Let the scratching begin!

After scratching the car Martin takes us to a friend with a lot of useful information. This is what makes these kind of project worth it. Meeting people who share the same passion and willing to guide you!! :good:


Well, Martin still has some sandblasting to do! After that he will put a thin layer of epoxy so we can still weld it quit easy.
We hope the car will be finished Saturday, but maybe it will take a couple of days more. No problem, cause I got all the time!!

 

[Bidle]

first of march

A bit sooner then expected, but no complaining. We were able to pick up the car tonight. So up to Achterveld a small village in the Netherlands.

Off-course I had the camera ready:

After looking at the car we took it on the trailer of Martin, because ours was to wide to get inside. Outside we used his forklift and off we go!

Finaly at home and now the real work can start!

This weekend we'll make a plan of approach. We probably will work in sectors and finish one by one. Luckily we got plenty of time. ;-)

 

[PapstXX]

nice work bro

 

[360duster]

Nice work, nice progress! for your information, if you like to reuse the slant six K-member you can get conversion motor mounts for SB or BB.

Michael

 

[Bidle]

nice work bro

Thx!!

Nice work, nice progress! for your information, if you like to reuse the slant six K-member you can get conversion motor mounts for SB or BB.

Michael

Hi Michael, yes I already found a supplier in America (engine-swap.com). For now we are still thinking to use something else. This so we can use a bigger "oil-pan/carter".
First we have enough to do and can't work continuously on the car, so will take me a few years. I don't mind cause I like the work!

Ard

 

[Bidle]

2 maart

Just a small update, had some time left and some help. So we put the car back on it's temporary extended chassis. ;)

 

[Bidle]

10 maart 2012

Very busy, but find some time to start. We decided to go for the sides first and after it all the adjustments.

First opening it to take a look inside. So put on a line with a marker and start!

All parts aside, so we can look at later when we need to make the new parts.

All other metal parts welded before weren't really nice and just over the old rusty material. So we also removed this section.

Gone it is, but it took some work!

So the first side is gone, now off to the other.

 

[66signetHT]

I am really enjoying your build thread!

I have a 66 Valiant Signet HT, that I am still trying to put together.

Keep up the great work!

 

[R4Sedan]

Looking Good!