Joined the Early A Club

-
3406pk

3406pk

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 11, 2006
Messages
1,139
Reaction score
522
Location
North Dakota
We were at the drags over Labor Day and broke an axle in the 8 ¼ on the Duster. Oh crap, but end of the season and wanted to upgrade to 8 ¾ axle anyway. So went browsing at the auto auction next door and saw this cute little Valiant Signet 1965 with small block. Body was very good condition and engine ran good. Cars were selling low, so I got in bidding. Had the high bid below reserve but agreed on price. Car supposedly had 70 340 engine and had Edelbrock Performer intake and sounded like a mild cam. It even had a few mods to indicate it had been drag raced at one time. I was able to drive it the 90 miles home.

On drive home it ran good, with I guess 3.55 gears, but It had a bit of wander in steering. So I give it a full physical. Steering has bent tie rod sleeve to probably throw out toe in; otherwise pretty fair suspension. Engine is a 340 cast crank, but cast in 6-16-71 not 70. Looking in valve cover, it has 273 type adjustable rockers. It has Holley 750 double pumper carb. Did a comp test and leakdown with about 150 psi, but 1 cyl has leaking exhaust valve. I fixed tie rod and set toe, and now drives like a dream. I am really happy with it and Grand-daughter has her eye on it. Little more TLC and she will be great cruiser.

IMG_2736.JPG


20211018_163050.jpg
 
That is sharp! What did you pay? (damage done already...cmon!) Bling wheels match the bling grill!
 
pishta said:
That is sharp! What did you pay? (damage done already...cmon!) Bling wheels match the bling grill!
Click to expand...
I thought cars were selling cheap. Bid to 10k, reserve at 15k, compromise at 13k. I didn't have bid number when I saw it, so a friend actually bought it for me.
 
Covid money! I see local stuff at ridiculous prices nowadays. sellers market. Still a nice score. That was the color of my barn find 65 S even though the fender tag said it was supposed to be poly silver.
 
Wow great score even for 13. It would cost a lot more than that to put it together in that shape.

I love it!
 
3406pk said:
We were at the drags over Labor Day and broke an axle in the 8 ¼ on the Duster. Oh crap, but end of the season and wanted to upgrade to 8 ¾ axle anyway. So went browsing at the auto auction next door and saw this cute little Valiant Signet 1965 with small block. Body was very good condition and engine ran good. Cars were selling low, so I got in bidding. Had the high bid below reserve but agreed on price. Car supposedly had 70 340 engine and had Edelbrock Performer intake and sounded like a mild cam. It even had a few mods to indicate it had been drag raced at one time. I was able to drive it the 90 miles home.

On drive home it ran good, with I guess 3.55 gears, but It had a bit of wander in steering. So I give it a full physical. Steering has bent tie rod sleeve to probably throw out toe in; otherwise pretty fair suspension. Engine is a 340 cast crank, but cast in 6-16-71 not 70. Looking in valve cover, it has 273 type adjustable rockers. It has Holley 750 double pumper carb. Did a comp test and leakdown with about 150 psi, but 1 cyl has leaking exhaust valve. I fixed tie rod and set toe, and now drives like a dream. I am really happy with it and Grand-daughter has her eye on it. Little more TLC and she will be great cruiser.

View attachment 1715808523

View attachment 1715808524
Click to expand...
Sweet ride
 
There was a MSD 6 ignition in it, and had some sloppy wiring. I put proper terminals on wires and fixed routing. The oil low pressure lite wasn't working, and I found the wire on the empty ballast resistor lug. Works fine now. She is tucked away for winter as snow is here. Thanks for all the kind comments.
 
I pick up a 66 Signet tomorrow. Drive train is updated with front disk brakes and has a 8 1/4 rear. Drove it the other day and it feels like it has 3.21s. Has what seems to be a slightly modified 318. The original motor is on an engine stand.

Runs down the road straight and true, stops straight as an arrow. Looking toward the front it appears to need a front end alignment so check that out Monday. I have a set of Torque Thrust Ds. I’ll post some pics tomorrow.
 
Even slight toe-out will cause a car to wander. Toe-in can change with ride height (springs sag), so check it every few years. You can measure quite accurately with a tape measure if your tires have straight channels.

10" drum spindles are better than 9" since bigger wheel bearings. Both outer bearings in my 9" drum 1969 Dart spun the race to ruin the hubs. Little SET1 (or A1) as I recall. Both can be upgraded to front disks, though I'd be tempted to switch to 10" spindles first.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top