Ge
Great thread! Love it
From the pasture; The valiant story of my '66 Valiant
- Thread starter AircoolerKirk
- Start date
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Great thread! Love it
AircoolerKirk
Well-Known Member
Thanks! I am swimming in water I dont completely understand when it comes to floor pan replacement.
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AircoolerKirk
Well-Known Member
Thanks man!
plymouth67
It be a lot cooler if you did...
So....not a fan of 66 a bodies but....this thread has been super entertaining to read and, I want to personally thank you for posting this.... it has given something to do at work for the last 45 minutes!!! Lol. Now it's getting closer to lunch, and that means it's getting closer to the end of the day...so thanks!!!
AircoolerKirk
Well-Known Member
Mineallmine
Well-Known Member
Absolutely love this thread. I only just recently caught the early abody bug. I bought mine last may when looking for a decent project car I could fairly easily get on the road. Wound up picking up my Nevada born 63 Dart. I will be following your progress. Keep up the great work. Loving these little cars more and more
AircoolerKirk
Well-Known Member
Floor pans from AutoBody Specialties arrived, in a very beat up box, with corners of the pans sticking out all over. I get that its not easy to box and ship pans. Especially pans of this size. AND I get there are not a lot of A body floor pan options, so I am not complaining.
Much.
BUT.
When you charge extra to box them up, you'd think you could at least pretend you didn't stuff them in a box, throw them down a nine floor mail chute into the awaiting arms of percussively inclined gorillas who play intricate drum solos on them before letting a kangaroo power kick the box out the door. Luckily, the pans were only bent on the corners, allowing me to easily straighten them, so that's good. They are MUCH larger than the floors in my car, which I assume is due to them fitting many different cars. All that means is I'll get to practice my trimmin, and I would rather have too much metal than too little. I hope to start old floor removal this weekend, after mucho estudio.
I think old floor removal will be easier than trimming the new floors down to fit in the holes, but since I can't weld (sometimes people say they "weld for sh*t", well I weld worse than that) I don't want to make big mistakes I can't easily correct. I say that to say this, progress will be slow, as I will learn as I go.
You know what they say, "Measure nine times, step away, come back, measure again, delete that line you just made because you really aren't sure that's the correct measurement after all, measure again, remark it, right were you marked it the first time because you should just believe in your self, cut once.
Well they don't always say it just like that.
But I'm saying it with this.
More to come!
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Since i wasn´t sure whether the 64-65 pans would fit and my neighbor had some spare sheet metal and a bead roller , i made my own. Trim the new pans to fit. Cut the old pans out slightly smaller. Self tapping screw the new pans in place tightly. Cut through the old pans around the outside edge of the new pans with an air saw , Mark the frame rails on the bottom of the new pans and drill for plug welding . Clean everything up and spray frame with weld thru primer . Screw back down tightly and weld it up. I did the same with the spare tire well . 2 door post , new floor metal and MP frame connectors its solid as a rock now.
What is the story on the orange bug with the v-8
Hyper_pak
Old School Chrysler Fan
Did I see a broadcast sheet under that rear seat?
Make sure you save that as history of the car.
It will be paper thin and old so be careful!
I like the Cragars, the white walls, not so much.
Keep up the good work.
Make sure you save that as history of the car.
It will be paper thin and old so be careful!
I like the Cragars, the white walls, not so much.
Keep up the good work.
AircoolerKirk
Well-Known Member
Its an ill fated VolksRod project I aborted. I am not a fabricator, and it ended up being way more than I wanted to deal with. Good look though.
66 Valiant wagon
Well-Known Member
I've really enjoyed this thread. You are quite the story teller for sure!
I'm sure you will get those floors in just fine. If not just stand back and close one eye, now they won't look half bad...
I'm sure you will get those floors in just fine. If not just stand back and close one eye, now they won't look half bad...
AircoolerKirk
Well-Known Member
It has begun.
For sale: Most of the original passenger front floor from 66 Valiant. Heavy Patina, Some assembly required, may or may not contain all pieces.
$5000 for just this part of the floor, car not included. No low ballers, I know what I got. I saw a Plymouth on that one auction show that one time that sold for like $250,000 and it had floors too. So my floors should be worth close.
#pleasetellmeyouspeaksatire
crvtec90
Well-Known Member
Thats odd that the floor pans from autbody speciaty didnt fit. I had good luck with mine for a 66 dart. Seems like a lot of people recommend them as well. I guess the valiant has slightly different floors in the front. I thought it was just the rear floor section is a bit shorter due to the wheel base difference.
Kudos to you on making your own. They look great.
Kudos to you on making your own. They look great.
That bug is cool, If you were closer we would be talking about it.
On your floor pans, they are just sheetmetal, cut and bend them to fit, once you do one side, the other will go easy.
AircoolerKirk
Well-Known Member
ACT 1 SCENE 1
FADE INTO SHOT OF PLANET EARTH
CUE VOICE OVER
In the dark, dystopian future of 2020, on planet Covid-19, the world was burning. (I mean it is Texas, and summertime) People were wearing masks (well sorta), taking food to go and hoarding toilet paper. The world came to be run by the controlling class of "essentials" working dozens of hours a day, with no time for anything else, your author included. Projects lag. Weight is gained. Frustration mounts. The more fortunate people sat at home and collected $600 extra a month to play Xbox. It was a confusing time. It was a bleak time. A time in where there were but two glimmers of hope.
To go cups of magic party liquor, and one patient '66 Plymouth Valiant. Hi again Madam Valiant, good ta see ya.
Here we continue the Valiant's, valiant tale.
When we last left our intrepid explorer, he had just finished stabbing a jewel in the Valiant's butt and turned his attention towards the floors. Let's join that story, already in progress.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT SHOP. RISING SUN REFLECTING ON FRONT BUMPER;
'66 PLYMOUTH. RUSH - LA VILLA STRANGIATO PLAYS.
As you remember, the front floors of my Plymouth were much akin to the automotive version of swiss cheese and were about as solid as a water bed during a 1970's era coke fueled orgy. Much like the memories of those days, these floors gotta go.
(editors note: Coca-Cola, and the author was like 5 in the 70's)
Pro tip: For this job you will need a very precise set of premier tools.* This will guarantee your absolute success!** Get on my tool level.***
*not premier tools
**fake news
***I have no level. I don't honestly know what that means.
Before we go any further, you should know, I am not a professional. I do not play one on TV. I don’t even watch professional people fix cars. I cant even spell car. So that being said, Immaboutta (that a word?) do my best. You don’t like it? See the lady up front for your money back on your way out.
BUT
I do like tips and constructive criticism. Okay anyone left? Couple back in the corner? Good. Return your seats to the upright position, and fasten your belts. It’s a short flight, but may be entertaining.
So gathering all my nerve, and some new cut off wheels, I started the slow, arduous process of removing the old metal. Some of it came just right on out. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Mostly because it was falling out already. I didn’t so much as cut it out, as basically assist nature in removing it.
Ill be honest, most of it was me being worried about cutting out too much, so I cut out too little, then went back and cut more. I probably could have been a bit more brazen with my old floor removal, but several things occurred to me at once.
· I like my fingers, yes, all ten.
· I also like my eyesight.
· Why the rush?
So with those three things in my head, I continued to plug away most of the day removing the floor. The tough parts came when I had to break, bend, chip and chisel the metal off the cross member and supports. That stuff did not wanna give up the ghost. But I am persistent. My teachers would say stubborn. My ex-wife would say bullheaded. (And other unmentionables. – Ed.)
But they aren’t here, so I care not for their opinions. I talk too much. Time for pics in no particular order.
In my quasi haste, I nearly cut that. I came very close.
After several hours of patient cutting, trimming, measuring, cutting again, swearing and sweating. I had a hole I was proud of.
*insert off color joke here*
Time to repeat the process on the MUCH worse drivers side. Although, argument could be made that its much better, since there is less floor to cut. I may have to think on that one a bit. For the sake of brevity, lets just fast forward a bit, eh? One thing of note I should mention is my oft mentioned hatred of bees, wasps, any form of flying @sshole. Well once again, I found myself having to rehome this precious, delicate species. I dunno how they even got in there, then it hit me!
I don’t care.
Out they go and destruction continues!
Hmm. Trim around this or remove and use the new metal with new holes? Thinking its gonna go bye bye.
Well the day drew long, I got hot and tired, and I took less pics. I think you get the picture. Many apologies. But when its dusk and a quick glance over your very dirty shoulder makes the Plymouth resemble a floating spaceship plus you then begin to observe an odor best described as rust and armpit singing an off key duet, its probably time to go.
So as I decided I didn’t want to attend this hellish opera any longer, I closed up shop and went in search of a much needed a shower and a cold drink. Possibly simultaneously. That means tomorrow is another day, chock full of opportunities to mess something up on a Grand Mal scale. Can't wait.
Until then Constant Reader, until then.
TRANSITION TO OVER HEAD SHOT OF DUSTY PICKUP LEAVING SHOP, ELBOW ON WINDOW SILL. FOLLOW FROM A DISTANCE, GAINING ALTITUDE. FADE OUT.
END SCENE.
Join us tomorrow as our intrepid explorer woos the alien women on planet DEMDAMNSHINYNEWFLOS.
Next on: "One broke fool and his Plymouth!"
Only on Espn 8 ~ The Ocho.
FADE INTO SHOT OF PLANET EARTH
CUE VOICE OVER
In the dark, dystopian future of 2020, on planet Covid-19, the world was burning. (I mean it is Texas, and summertime) People were wearing masks (well sorta), taking food to go and hoarding toilet paper. The world came to be run by the controlling class of "essentials" working dozens of hours a day, with no time for anything else, your author included. Projects lag. Weight is gained. Frustration mounts. The more fortunate people sat at home and collected $600 extra a month to play Xbox. It was a confusing time. It was a bleak time. A time in where there were but two glimmers of hope.
To go cups of magic party liquor, and one patient '66 Plymouth Valiant. Hi again Madam Valiant, good ta see ya.
Here we continue the Valiant's, valiant tale.
When we last left our intrepid explorer, he had just finished stabbing a jewel in the Valiant's butt and turned his attention towards the floors. Let's join that story, already in progress.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT SHOP. RISING SUN REFLECTING ON FRONT BUMPER;
'66 PLYMOUTH. RUSH - LA VILLA STRANGIATO PLAYS.
As you remember, the front floors of my Plymouth were much akin to the automotive version of swiss cheese and were about as solid as a water bed during a 1970's era coke fueled orgy. Much like the memories of those days, these floors gotta go.
(editors note: Coca-Cola, and the author was like 5 in the 70's)
Pro tip: For this job you will need a very precise set of premier tools.* This will guarantee your absolute success!** Get on my tool level.***
*not premier tools
**fake news
***I have no level. I don't honestly know what that means.
Before we go any further, you should know, I am not a professional. I do not play one on TV. I don’t even watch professional people fix cars. I cant even spell car. So that being said, Immaboutta (that a word?) do my best. You don’t like it? See the lady up front for your money back on your way out.
BUT
I do like tips and constructive criticism. Okay anyone left? Couple back in the corner? Good. Return your seats to the upright position, and fasten your belts. It’s a short flight, but may be entertaining.
So gathering all my nerve, and some new cut off wheels, I started the slow, arduous process of removing the old metal. Some of it came just right on out. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Mostly because it was falling out already. I didn’t so much as cut it out, as basically assist nature in removing it.
Ill be honest, most of it was me being worried about cutting out too much, so I cut out too little, then went back and cut more. I probably could have been a bit more brazen with my old floor removal, but several things occurred to me at once.
· I like my fingers, yes, all ten.
· I also like my eyesight.
· Why the rush?
So with those three things in my head, I continued to plug away most of the day removing the floor. The tough parts came when I had to break, bend, chip and chisel the metal off the cross member and supports. That stuff did not wanna give up the ghost. But I am persistent. My teachers would say stubborn. My ex-wife would say bullheaded. (And other unmentionables. – Ed.)
But they aren’t here, so I care not for their opinions. I talk too much. Time for pics in no particular order.
In my quasi haste, I nearly cut that. I came very close.
After several hours of patient cutting, trimming, measuring, cutting again, swearing and sweating. I had a hole I was proud of.
*insert off color joke here*
Time to repeat the process on the MUCH worse drivers side. Although, argument could be made that its much better, since there is less floor to cut. I may have to think on that one a bit. For the sake of brevity, lets just fast forward a bit, eh? One thing of note I should mention is my oft mentioned hatred of bees, wasps, any form of flying @sshole. Well once again, I found myself having to rehome this precious, delicate species. I dunno how they even got in there, then it hit me!
I don’t care.
Out they go and destruction continues!
Hmm. Trim around this or remove and use the new metal with new holes? Thinking its gonna go bye bye.
Well the day drew long, I got hot and tired, and I took less pics. I think you get the picture. Many apologies. But when its dusk and a quick glance over your very dirty shoulder makes the Plymouth resemble a floating spaceship plus you then begin to observe an odor best described as rust and armpit singing an off key duet, its probably time to go.
So as I decided I didn’t want to attend this hellish opera any longer, I closed up shop and went in search of a much needed a shower and a cold drink. Possibly simultaneously. That means tomorrow is another day, chock full of opportunities to mess something up on a Grand Mal scale. Can't wait.
Until then Constant Reader, until then.
TRANSITION TO OVER HEAD SHOT OF DUSTY PICKUP LEAVING SHOP, ELBOW ON WINDOW SILL. FOLLOW FROM A DISTANCE, GAINING ALTITUDE. FADE OUT.
END SCENE.
Join us tomorrow as our intrepid explorer woos the alien women on planet DEMDAMNSHINYNEWFLOS.
Next on: "One broke fool and his Plymouth!"
Only on Espn 8 ~ The Ocho.
Last edited:
plymouth67
It be a lot cooler if you did...
Brother...I don't know what you do for a living but...you should be doing some writing...
The Ocho from the amusing Dodge Ball movie... but you have a Plymouth...
Great read! But hey man we know that Tx could be hotter, it was 115 yesterday in Phoenix!!!
You know you need somemor water or Gatorade, when the seat flows down your leg into your boots like a small river?? Dehydrate?
Mom always cautioned me to look out for heat stroke, as she would say " We can't afford a funeral and the relatives would think bad of us for a cremation"!!!
You know you need somemor water or Gatorade, when the seat flows down your leg into your boots like a small river?? Dehydrate?
Mom always cautioned me to look out for heat stroke, as she would say " We can't afford a funeral and the relatives would think bad of us for a cremation"!!!
"Valiant effort" on the car save. Nice read, interesting that the torsion bar cross arm remained healthy.
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