[Old Blue 66]

I was at a BOPC meet last week and met an engine builder who owns a machine shop. Turns out I got a couple of good recommendations about him. So A buddy came over with his hoist and we pulled out the motor. I cant believe the Mickey Mouse ways the previous owner bolted stuff to the car. Wrong bolts and screws all over the place.



I still have to take some things off but its all ready to go.


The biggest surprise was this. This is the hole for the shock. Look hard but do you see something missing? Like a shock!!!!! No shock on the drivers side. It appears the front shock must have broke hence the worn hole and the previous owner just took it out. I thought the car bounced bad for warn shocks but this is crazy. The other side looks the same and the shock is loose. The next step is to figure out the best way to weld in the hold and make it round.

[PurplePackFan]

Uh-Oh, looks like the start of a "As long as I'm doing this, I might as well..." kind of project.

Good luck, take care of whatever it needs as long as it's apart.

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by PurplePackFan

Uh-Oh, looks like the start of a "As long as I'm doing this, I might as well..." kind of project.

Good luck, take care of whatever it needs as long as it's apart.

Yea, it's getting everything either rebuilt or replaced. It will be all new under the hood. I just go the shocks and springs today. Guess I'll have to wait to put them in.

[old66tiger]

First you need to figure out where the hole should really be. Find someone close by with a 65-67 car, make a template out of paper and you will have the direction you need. If it were me, I would pull the suspension apart, make a plug the same thickness as the frame and weld it in from top and bottom. If you don't know how to weld, find someone that does.

[Nicks67GTO]

Well that is just bizzare....who doesn't replace a broken shock? That's horribly unsafe and very strange??

-I also wonder why its wearing such a strange hole on both sides like that?

-After seeing this, it may be wise to take a day and check everything else out on the chassis. It seems this guy didn't mind cobbling??

[abefromen]

Originally Posted by Nicks67GTO

Well that is just bizzare....who doesn't replace a broken shock? That's horribly unsafe and very strange??

-I also wonder why its wearing such a strange hole on both sides like that?

-After seeing this, it may be wise to take a day and check everything else out on the chassis. It seems this guy didn't mind cobbling??

Kind of makes me what other nastiness you may uncover as you dig into this. Paul I'm nearby if you need help just yell.

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by abefromen

Kind of makes me what other nastiness you may uncover as you dig into this. Paul I'm nearby if you need help just yell.

I may take you up on that. And yes, last night I could sleep. I was writing down all the things that I want to check now that there may be other jury rigged stuff around. The old brain wouldn't stop working.

[old66tiger]

After having to deal with health issues lately, let me give you one piece of advice. ..it is only a car. Relax and don't stress over it.

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by old66tiger

After having to deal with health issues lately, let me give you one piece of advice. ..it is only a car. Relax and don't stress over it.

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

I was stressed at first when the motor came out thinking how are we gonna get this thing back in and running. But this morning I started cleaning the engine bay and started getting excited.

[abefromen]

Do you have something else ready to drop in to replace that 389?

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by abefromen

Do you have something else ready to drop in to replace that 389?

No, this one is going to the machine shop this week.

[b-man]

Decided to keep the '64 GTO engine rather than pursue a '66?

You could always put '66 heads and intake on it for a more 'correct' look for not a lot of cost.

There are some folks looking for a pair of 1964 '716' heads.

[charles bledsoe]

Originally Posted by Old Blue 66

Yea, it's getting everything either rebuilt or replaced. It will be all new under the hood. I just go the shocks and springs today. Guess I'll have to wait to put them in.

Which springs did you go with? Good luck on your engine rebuild. Sorry to hear about your troubles.

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by b-man

Decided to keep the '64 GTO engine rather than pursue a '66?

You could always put '66 heads and intake on it for a more 'correct' look for not a lot of cost.

There are some folks looking for a pair of 1964 '716' heads.

Keeping the 64 just made sense with what I wanted to build and budget. I can always change the heads later.

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by charles bledsoe

Which springs did you go with? Good luck on your engine rebuild. Sorry to hear about your troubles.

Station wagon springs that would go to a 66 tempest wagon. I hope they give me the lift I want since my car is a vert. I know they would lift a hard top but a a vert is questionable. I'll just have to get them in and see. Went with big car KYB shocks too.

[charles bledsoe]

Hi Old Blue 66 - Could you post some pics once installed. I have a 66 Vert with the same profile as yours. I have been trying to figure out which way to go about changing the cars stance.
Thanks.

[barrierblue66]

Are you looking to change the ride height Paul? Can't remember without looking which f/r springs I used when I did mine, but I really like the stance on mine, looks similar to yours

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by charles bledsoe

Hi Old Blue 66 - Could you post some pics once installed. I have a 66 Vert with the same profile as yours. I have been trying to figure out which way to go about changing the cars stance.
Thanks.

You better believe I will.

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by barrierblue66

Are you looking to change the ride height Paul? Can't remember without looking which f/r springs I used when I did mine, but I really like the stance on mine, looks similar to yours

Yours sits like this in the rear?

[barrierblue66]

Ah OK, I can see the rear sagging a bit now. Mine sits a little bit higher, just perfectly level. Hard to see with the little bit of shadow at the top of the wheel openings