simsinater
Member
And so it begins!
This is my first restoration project. Though an engineer, I am mechanically inclined and am excited to begin! Suggestions and discussion is welcomed and greatly appreciated!
I acquired this unit in a trade last year and have finally cleared enough space in my modest garage to get it in and start working. Still need to insulate the garage though, as -40 degrees here in the winter (8 months of the year XD) is not uncommon...
1964 Plymouth Valiant Barracuda
- Originally had a 273 with a 4 speed
- I'm veeeerrrry fortunate to have almost the same car at my local junkyard! I already scavenged some of the rear quarter panel (RIP old buddy... sad to see you go!)
- I bought a 360 magnum for it and am looking for a 4 speed to put behind it (A833 preferably. I considered a tremec T56 buuuuttt maybe not for my first project...) Obviously gotta put a carb on it though! Probably mechanical fuel pump etc. as well
- I'm thinking maybe a Ford 8.8 lsd rear diff from an 95+ explorer with disk brakes (cut so it's not offset). What gearing? Is 3.55 too low for power without sacrificing too much fuel?
- front disk brake conversion? Haven't researched much about the front end yet. Air bags all around would be sweet (raise car while driving [terrible roads here], slam it for shows etc.) but I think cost is going to be a limiting factor there
- I want to try my hand at redesigning the interior, but that's on the back burner. Proposed order of operations is as follows:
1) get it running
2) bodywork, electrical, bodywork, metalworking, bodywork...
3) interior?
4) pull engine and rebuild
5) upgrade as necessary (exhaust, rims, suspension?, overhaul tranny - add OD?)
Aaaaand obligatory pics.
Yes she's rough.
But she's mine.
And she'll be pretty soon enough.
Patience, friends.
Patience.
This is my first restoration project. Though an engineer, I am mechanically inclined and am excited to begin! Suggestions and discussion is welcomed and greatly appreciated!
I acquired this unit in a trade last year and have finally cleared enough space in my modest garage to get it in and start working. Still need to insulate the garage though, as -40 degrees here in the winter (8 months of the year XD) is not uncommon...
1964 Plymouth Valiant Barracuda
- Originally had a 273 with a 4 speed
- I'm veeeerrrry fortunate to have almost the same car at my local junkyard! I already scavenged some of the rear quarter panel (RIP old buddy... sad to see you go!)
- I bought a 360 magnum for it and am looking for a 4 speed to put behind it (A833 preferably. I considered a tremec T56 buuuuttt maybe not for my first project...) Obviously gotta put a carb on it though! Probably mechanical fuel pump etc. as well
- I'm thinking maybe a Ford 8.8 lsd rear diff from an 95+ explorer with disk brakes (cut so it's not offset). What gearing? Is 3.55 too low for power without sacrificing too much fuel?
- front disk brake conversion? Haven't researched much about the front end yet. Air bags all around would be sweet (raise car while driving [terrible roads here], slam it for shows etc.) but I think cost is going to be a limiting factor there
- I want to try my hand at redesigning the interior, but that's on the back burner. Proposed order of operations is as follows:
1) get it running
2) bodywork, electrical, bodywork, metalworking, bodywork...
3) interior?
4) pull engine and rebuild
5) upgrade as necessary (exhaust, rims, suspension?, overhaul tranny - add OD?)
Aaaaand obligatory pics.
Yes she's rough.
But she's mine.
And she'll be pretty soon enough.
Patience, friends.
Patience.
