From the pasture; The valiant story of my '66 Valiant
When we last left the brave little solider, she was listing hard to port on two rotten, ruptured, rolling rubbers. Luckily for me, I get bored and need things to piddle with. So I took the two trashy twins with me, to see what could be done. One day and some elbow grease later, I get the tires dismounted at home.
The tires were crap, and the lips are heavily chewed, but just to have something to mount tires to, so she can stand on her own two feet, I think this will work! My junk pile has one good roller, and I will see what else is around. Next day, another bit o progress as they get lightly blasted.
Pretty quickly, two craptastic tires and some rattle bomb black were applied. BOOM! I am roller mobile yet again.
This is not my final look obviously, but I need her to be mobile. While I was out there, I filled up the slightly crusty looking radiator, to see if it holds. Pretty sure it will need replacing at some point, but at least this way I know if it gets replaced sooner or later. Locking it up, I make plans to come back next weekend.
Next weekend arrived, and due to the glorious weather, I decided to piddle around on the Plymouth to see what's going on. This was the first time I was able to actually lay hands on her and see what I had. Over all, the body is very clean (other than that damn passenger rocker), but I haven't inspected the motor. Heck, I didn't even know if it would turn over. Doors open, hood up, tunes on. From jump I notice the radiator is still holding water! Basic win.
First thing I wanted to do was to check the push rods, as the guy I got it from said one was bent. Dunno, but lets dig in and check. Valve cover off, shows me that its black, but not sludged or gross. Fairly clean given the age of the car honestly.
I looked and rolled the motor over and everything I could think of, but couldn't see any that were bent. Weird. I already spent $6 on a box of push rods for this car, which seemed super cheap, so if I find something later, bam. Good to go. New Valve cover gasket, bolt everything back up. I'm sure I will be revisiting house de valve later on, but for today, that will do pig, that will do. Checking the oil, shows me that its amber colored, and is as full as it should be.
Taking the breather off, I see that I have one old single barrel Holley carb that almost assuredly needs a rebuild, as nothing on it spins or moves very freely. I spend some time lubing, cleaning and such till it at least moves around, for what I am about to attempt. I will either rebuild this, or replace it later, depending. From here I observe my "house battery" i keep around for dead automotive revivals, wont hold a charge. So I run to the local parts house for a battery and in doing so nearly set my truck completely on fire, AFTER picking up five gallons of gas, but extinguish it in the car wash and come back. I replace the rat chewed positive battery cable with a new one (negative cable is worn, but not badly. New one doesn't fit the bolt/hole in the block) install the house battery and check my lights.
I even have actual blinkers! I step on the brake pedal to check the brake lights, but the pedal is frozen completely solid. I mean like rock hard don't move, want brakes you cant haz no brakes because there is no brakes. Oh well. That single master cylinder and antiquated front drums were due for a rebuild anyway. Ill probably try to find a bolt on (read that as I dont fabricate) good quality disc brake kit for the fronts. Back to the 'lectrics. I have a dome light, dash oil light and some sort of buzzer when the key is in the ignition. Sweet. Time to set up my intricate fuel system.
Even has a squeezy bulb to prime it. Once the can builds pressure it feeds (typically my generator while camping) a steady stream of fuel. I'm not even sure the fuel pump works but here goes nothin.
Turn the key just to check, not a damn thing. Not a buzz, not a grunt, not a nothin. Hmm. Channeling my inner caveman, I whack the starter with a hammer. I mean, cant hurt. Then (sorry for the audio):
It spins!
When we last left the brave little solider, she was listing hard to port on two rotten, ruptured, rolling rubbers. Luckily for me, I get bored and need things to piddle with. So I took the two trashy twins with me, to see what could be done. One day and some elbow grease later, I get the tires dismounted at home.
The tires were crap, and the lips are heavily chewed, but just to have something to mount tires to, so she can stand on her own two feet, I think this will work! My junk pile has one good roller, and I will see what else is around. Next day, another bit o progress as they get lightly blasted.
Pretty quickly, two craptastic tires and some rattle bomb black were applied. BOOM! I am roller mobile yet again.
This is not my final look obviously, but I need her to be mobile. While I was out there, I filled up the slightly crusty looking radiator, to see if it holds. Pretty sure it will need replacing at some point, but at least this way I know if it gets replaced sooner or later. Locking it up, I make plans to come back next weekend.
Next weekend arrived, and due to the glorious weather, I decided to piddle around on the Plymouth to see what's going on. This was the first time I was able to actually lay hands on her and see what I had. Over all, the body is very clean (other than that damn passenger rocker), but I haven't inspected the motor. Heck, I didn't even know if it would turn over. Doors open, hood up, tunes on. From jump I notice the radiator is still holding water! Basic win.
First thing I wanted to do was to check the push rods, as the guy I got it from said one was bent. Dunno, but lets dig in and check. Valve cover off, shows me that its black, but not sludged or gross. Fairly clean given the age of the car honestly.
I looked and rolled the motor over and everything I could think of, but couldn't see any that were bent. Weird. I already spent $6 on a box of push rods for this car, which seemed super cheap, so if I find something later, bam. Good to go. New Valve cover gasket, bolt everything back up. I'm sure I will be revisiting house de valve later on, but for today, that will do pig, that will do. Checking the oil, shows me that its amber colored, and is as full as it should be.
Taking the breather off, I see that I have one old single barrel Holley carb that almost assuredly needs a rebuild, as nothing on it spins or moves very freely. I spend some time lubing, cleaning and such till it at least moves around, for what I am about to attempt. I will either rebuild this, or replace it later, depending. From here I observe my "house battery" i keep around for dead automotive revivals, wont hold a charge. So I run to the local parts house for a battery and in doing so nearly set my truck completely on fire, AFTER picking up five gallons of gas, but extinguish it in the car wash and come back. I replace the rat chewed positive battery cable with a new one (negative cable is worn, but not badly. New one doesn't fit the bolt/hole in the block) install the house battery and check my lights.
I even have actual blinkers! I step on the brake pedal to check the brake lights, but the pedal is frozen completely solid. I mean like rock hard don't move, want brakes you cant haz no brakes because there is no brakes. Oh well. That single master cylinder and antiquated front drums were due for a rebuild anyway. Ill probably try to find a bolt on (read that as I dont fabricate) good quality disc brake kit for the fronts. Back to the 'lectrics. I have a dome light, dash oil light and some sort of buzzer when the key is in the ignition. Sweet. Time to set up my intricate fuel system.
Even has a squeezy bulb to prime it. Once the can builds pressure it feeds (typically my generator while camping) a steady stream of fuel. I'm not even sure the fuel pump works but here goes nothin.
Turn the key just to check, not a damn thing. Not a buzz, not a grunt, not a nothin. Hmm. Channeling my inner caveman, I whack the starter with a hammer. I mean, cant hurt. Then (sorry for the audio):
It spins!
