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Been working on our 66 for a while now. Started with a nice car that ran and went to shows and cruise nights about 10 years ago. It was put together by my father-in-law several years ago out of 4 garages.
It hadn't run or moved in the last 9+ years as he was paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident. We inherited it at my wife's request. I am still glad we have it. But boy, it is getting trying.
I started off by working on the brake system because there was no pedal when we rolled it off the trailer. Found the inside of the right front wheel very wet and full of brake pad on the back of the rim. So I figured go through the whole brake system while at it and freshen up everything. Rear calipers were replaced with stainless VB&P years ago and were in good shape. Just put seals in them. Fronts were factory. Bad rusty bores. So sent them to VB&P for sleeves and rebuilt. They are good now.
Began checking rotor runout. Found several 0.015 out and left front was badly scored. So figured would replace all four rotors. Still no problem. Until I got to the left front. With the new rotors, I was at 0.028" runout. Checked the hub and that was where the problem was. After some debate and posts here decided to update to C3 spindles, steering arms, hubs and caliper brackets. Pulled off the spindles and found my lower ball joints were shot. Installed new ones. All this finally fixed my rotor runout. Now I have 0.001" all around. Ya!!
Put a dual MS from a C3 to gain some safety. Again Ya!!
Moved to the underhood stuff. Found the battery was too close to the exhaust manifold. After asking on here found that the tray was put on backwards. Flipped it the right way and problem solved. Putting on all new hoses. I ordered the wrong top hose which was too short for the center outlet. But that was ok. I gotta a plan.
Onto the motor. Pulled the intake off because it was an old Edelbrock Streetmaster. It was badly stained and looked terrible. I have an old GM LT1 intake that would be perfect. It has the thermostat outlet offset and lets my top hose work. Put it on and all is good. Polished the valve covers and they look great.
Figured I would flush the cooling system because it had been sitting drained for several years. Filled the system with white vinegar and it began running out all over the radiator core. Ok, get Dewitts on the line. On its way.
Got the motor running on Saturday. Sounds great. But getting tons of air in the recovery tank when I rev it up. Steam and everything. Ran it for over an hour with the cap off trying to let it purge. But it keeps coming whenever I rev it up. So now figuring bad head gasket or heads.
I was in and out quite a bit on Saturday from the drivers seat. The car has the telescopic steering wheel. I duno what happened, but not the center ring wont turn to lock or release the wheel...
A fella has to wonder, when does it stop. Really want to get to drive the car just once even..... But, I am a trooper and am keeping after it.
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
[QUOTE=schmibm;1589610222
A fella has to wonder, when does it stop. Really want to get to drive the car just once even..... But, I am a trooper and am keeping after it.[/QUOTE]
Been working on our 66 for a while now. Started with a nice car that ran and went to shows and cruise nights about 10 years ago. It was put together by my father-in-law several years ago out of 4 garages.
It hadn't run or moved in the last 9+ years as he was paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident. We inherited it at my wife's request. I am still glad we have it. But boy, it is getting trying.
I started off by working on the brake system because there was no pedal when we rolled it off the trailer. Found the inside of the right front wheel very wet and full of brake pad on the back of the rim. So I figured go through the whole brake system while at it and freshen up everything. Rear calipers were replaced with stainless VB&P years ago and were in good shape. Just put seals in them. Fronts were factory. Bad rusty bores. So sent them to VB&P for sleeves and rebuilt. They are good now.
Began checking rotor runout. Found several 0.015 out and left front was badly scored. So figured would replace all four rotors. Still no problem. Until I got to the left front. With the new rotors, I was at 0.028" runout. Checked the hub and that was where the problem was. After some debate and posts here decided to update to C3 spindles, steering arms, hubs and caliper brackets. Pulled off the spindles and found my lower ball joints were shot. Installed new ones. All this finally fixed my rotor runout. Now I have 0.001" all around. Ya!!
Put a dual MS from a C3 to gain some safety. Again Ya!!
Moved to the underhood stuff. Found the battery was too close to the exhaust manifold. After asking on here found that the tray was put on backwards. Flipped it the right way and problem solved. Putting on all new hoses. I ordered the wrong top hose which was too short for the center outlet. But that was ok. I gotta a plan.
Onto the motor. Pulled the intake off because it was an old Edelbrock Streetmaster. It was badly stained and looked terrible. I have an old GM LT1 intake that would be perfect. It has the thermostat outlet offset and lets my top hose work. Put it on and all is good. Polished the valve covers and they look great.
Figured I would flush the cooling system because it had been sitting drained for several years. Filled the system with white vinegar and it began running out all over the radiator core. Ok, get Dewitts on the line. On its way.
Got the motor running on Saturday. Sounds great. But getting tons of air in the recovery tank when I rev it up. Steam and everything. Ran it for over an hour with the cap off trying to let it purge. But it keeps coming whenever I rev it up. So now figuring bad head gasket or heads.
I was in and out quite a bit on Saturday from the drivers seat. The car has the telescopic steering wheel. I duno what happened, but not the center ring wont turn to lock or release the wheel...
A fella has to wonder, when does it stop. Really want to get to drive the car just once even..... But, I am a trooper and am keeping after it.
Let you in on a secret.
It never stops cuz "old cars will always be old cars"
It's just part of the "fun"
lol
A tip,
whenever you have a choice of going stock, or going with some sort of modification, choose stock. Your 66 was well engineered when it was new. Trying to out engineer the old GM engineers often results in problems. Even in all stock configuration your car will need attention that new cars do not need. No point in making matters worse unnecessarily.
Ps
Completely disregard this advice as I wrote it before you posted pics of your car. The car is obviously far past the point of maintaining any stock configuration in the mechanicals. Enjoy your hot rod!
A tip,
whenever you have a choice of going stock, or going with some sort of modification, choose stock. Your 66 was well engineered when it was new. Trying to out engineer the old GM engineers often results in problems. Even in all stock configuration your car will need attention that new cars do not need. No point in making matters worse unnecessarily.
Those are wise words indeed. GM had a whole host of engineering talent developing that car. Once you start to deviate from stock you can wind up going down the road of unintended consequences. I've seen it happen several times. When you finally get it done enough to start enjoying it, you'll find it was well worth all the frustration you're experiencing right now. I too admire your persistence. We're all out here pulling for you!
It takes a while to get cars to a threshold where maintenance is basically steady state. I would say that was easily a year on both my '61 and '63. Before it was over I wound up touching every system on both cars; brakes, fuel, suspension, cooling and on and on. Now (finally!) I can jump in either one and crank the key and go anywhere...
Sorry to hear about your father-in-law too. My father became a quadriplegic from a car accident when I was overseas in the Army back in '73. Had to get out on a hardship discharge a year later to take care of the family.
Frankie is absolutely right again,
took me about a year to sort bugs out of my car.
It became a joke in the house when everytime I took the car out I returned on the back of the AAA flatbed. Overheating was typical until I went through the whole system and got it all as built with a newly restored original AC cap, rebulit original fan clutch, new thermostat, etc. Brakes, rear wheel bearings, the usual drill for these old classics.
Wife still thinks the car will break down each time I go out in it but I am way past that stage now. Have made many multiple 100 mile trips including an 800 miler. I never give it a thought now (though I do have my tool kit in the car, my AAA card, and my cell phone with me.)
Good luck to you...
hang in, it's worth the trouble.
Lots of good advice above! It takes me, like Frankie said about a year to get a car sorted out. Once it gets sorted out, it's really just normal maintaince to stay on top of. Keep your chin up!
Here is a pic from the dark shop tonight. I will get some when we are outside next. It isn't a beauty queen right now. But more of a work in progress. A little embarrassed. But one day it will be show shape again.
You're going to have a great car after you touch everything a bit! After sitting a while, it always takes some time to get things sorted...Just keep at it and before long you'll be doing more driving than wrenching!!
I'm sure your wife will have some great memories of her dad once you all are spending some time in it...
Good for you for taking the project on. Hang in there, it will get worse before it gets better.
I would get a pressure test set and pressure check the coolant jacket before doing anymore engine work. If it does not hold pressure, pull the plugs before you crank the engine over.
I'm now into my eighth month of chasing issues on my '66. It was mostly original when I bought it but had been sitting for about 7 years. First order of business was a complete suspension rebuild. Might as well do the brakes, too. Got to drive it a bit after that but the oil leaks were driving me crazy so re-did the oil pan gasket, front seal, and rear main seal. Been driving a few weeks but now the driver's side headlight bucket won't fully open. I'm waiting for the weather to get too hot to drive (here in Phoenix we have a driving season opposite that of most of the rest of the country ) and will address that problem shortly. And, I've noticed that some of my courtesy lights aren't working. More work to do!
- Jeff
My '64 is actually my fathers - it was placed in my custody when he moved to a condo in Florida. I could never understand why he didn't drive it when he lived up north or why he didn't take it with him but now that I've had it... I get it now! I love this car but its an unrestored survivor & it ALWAYS needs SOMETHING! My Dad is handy but never worked on cars to the extent I have and trying to keep up with it would have taken all of the enjoyment out of it for him.
It does get easier to work on these old cars. Sounds like you are doing it correctly. Repair and replace as you go along with the best parts available. Stock is nice, but improvements over the last 50 years can make your ride more enjoyable. I would include SS brakes, aftermarket A/C, radial tires, improved sound systems, better steering systems etc. as improvements. Lastly, if not already done so, get a copy of the AIM and use it. Good luck with the car and keep us posted. Jerry
Thanks for the tips guys. I like to see all the different ideas from the guys that have been around the block for a long time. It helps one think about the problem from a unique viewpoint. Then the solution is often the best one.
Here is a pic from the dark shop tonight. I will get some when we are outside next. It isn't a beauty queen right now. But more of a work in progress. A little embarrassed. But one day it will be show shape again.
It looks better than mine did when I first got it so don't be embarrassed.
As others have said, it takes time to get them sorted, just take it one step at a time and you'll get there.
Sort out any mechanical issues first then work your way toward the cosmetics.
Thanks for the tips guys. I like to see all the different ideas from the guys that have been around the block for a long time. It helps one think about the problem from a unique viewpoint. Then the solution is often the best one.
Here is one photo of our hot rod (well some day).
Thanks guys!!
Nice looking car. Each to their own, but if it were mine I'd change is those wheels and tires.
05-11-2015, 07:23 PM
The woes of new Corvette ownership
) and will address that problem shortly. And, I've noticed that some of my courtesy lights aren't working. More work to do! 
