Hey guys, my name is Dave and am from Upstate NY. Rochester area to be more precise. I've been lurking around for a little and you guys have an awesome site with tons of info.
I recently picked up a '69 Valiant. It's a base model, 2 door, with a 225. Decent shape, a little surface rust, but almost no rust through. Just a little on the passenger fender. It needs some paint work as one of the previous owners thought it would be a good idea to rattle can the whole car with little to no prep work. The drivers side window was broken and had been replaced with plexiglass but now that is scratched and broken as well. And last but not least the passenger side turn signals are not working.
My plans so far are to:
1) Pretty up the body a little. Even if that means just taking it down to the metal and priming it. Also, finding a new window.
2) Fixing the turn signals
3) Get it running properly! (New carb on the way from summit as the one on it now has a LARGE crack in the casting and is completely shot)
I've worked on cars before, but they were always my daily, so this is my first true "project".
I've got a couple of questions that I hope some of you guys can answer:
1) The drivers side window (front to be more precise), is that interchangeable with any other models? I thought I read somewhere that it can only be grabbed from other 2 door valiants and 4 door darts, is this true?
2) I think I've pin pointed the turn signal problem, when replacing the turn signal cam/switch I noticed the part "beneath" it has been melted and the contacts are no longer sitting flush. I'm thinking this is causing my problems. Any ideas on what this part is called and where I can get a replacement?
Thank you all so much for putting together such an awesome site and for any help you may be able to give.
Now for the pics:
I recently picked up a '69 Valiant. It's a base model, 2 door, with a 225. Decent shape, a little surface rust, but almost no rust through. Just a little on the passenger fender. It needs some paint work as one of the previous owners thought it would be a good idea to rattle can the whole car with little to no prep work. The drivers side window was broken and had been replaced with plexiglass but now that is scratched and broken as well. And last but not least the passenger side turn signals are not working.
My plans so far are to:
1) Pretty up the body a little. Even if that means just taking it down to the metal and priming it. Also, finding a new window.
2) Fixing the turn signals
3) Get it running properly! (New carb on the way from summit as the one on it now has a LARGE crack in the casting and is completely shot)
I've worked on cars before, but they were always my daily, so this is my first true "project".
I've got a couple of questions that I hope some of you guys can answer:
1) The drivers side window (front to be more precise), is that interchangeable with any other models? I thought I read somewhere that it can only be grabbed from other 2 door valiants and 4 door darts, is this true?
2) I think I've pin pointed the turn signal problem, when replacing the turn signal cam/switch I noticed the part "beneath" it has been melted and the contacts are no longer sitting flush. I'm thinking this is causing my problems. Any ideas on what this part is called and where I can get a replacement?
Thank you all so much for putting together such an awesome site and for any help you may be able to give.
Now for the pics:
