[Skippy597]

Well I finally have time to really start working on my car so I figured I'd start an official build thread for it.

The car is a 1966 Lemans which I bought a few years back, in mid project condition from the previous owner. They had already rotisseried the body and primered it all and powder coated the entire frame. They also replaced most of the steering and suspension but they had installed drop spindles and lowering springs which was the opposite of what I wanted. Still the car was a great starting point but there is definitely downsides to buying a project.

This is my dream car and I couldn't be more excited about it but it is also a huge undergoing and by far the biggest project I've ever tackled. The plans for it are based along the lines of what would be considered a day 2 build with a slightly taller stance, stroker engine, dual carb setup and 4 speed swap with hurst super shifter 3.

So here it goes, also the car will don a GTO hood and grills but is not being cloned, I just like the looks of them and thus the nickname was created the GTOlmost.

I'll try to be good about sharing along the way but when I get into a project I'm terrible about taking pictures but I'll do my best. Also I got this car stripped so I've had a hell of a time figuring out how or where things go so if you notice something please point it out.

[64speed]

Good luck! Stick with it. 8 years in my build and still going.

[Skippy597]

The car as I bought it.

[Skippy597]

Shortly after getting it home. Got some wheels and tires to mock it up on and threw on the fenders and hood to see the look.

[grivera]

Looking forward to your build - love my 66!

[Skippy597]

First place I started was setting the suspension how I wanted it. Off went the drop spindles and on went factory height spindles along with Eaton 1" taller springs all around. Also installed drag bags in the back as well as some super cool old lakewood slappers I bought from a member on here. The springs may be a little too tall but I can always trim to adjust.

One area I'm concerned with is the rear drag bags have a gap at the top. Now this is my first set but I assume they should rest against the body but there is about a 1" gap at top. I'm guessing this is from the taller springs but does anyone know if these will work or if I need a different set of bags.

[b-man]

Neat build!

Before you get too far into your build thread start editing your photos before downloading by cropping them ever so slightly. This will keep them from turning sideways.

[Skippy597]

Thanks for the tip, will do.

[blueghoast]

Best to gap the bags at top and bottom so you won't poke a hole in them.

GT

[Skippy597]

Last week I got around to installing the new fuel tank and mostly installed the fuel lines. The fuel tank is a Dorman replacement and seems fine but I wish I would have gone stainless. The pickup is a Robbmc 1/2" pickup and seems like a very nice unit. The fuel lines are from inline tube and are stainless steel, 1/2" for the feed 3/8" for the return.

Now if your wondering why such a big return, we'll I was originally planning much less power so got a 3/8" feed and wasn't planning a return like factory but plans changed and decided to use the 3/8 as a return line. Also they kicked my butt. How in the heck do you run a full length 1/2" line fromt to back? Well I couldn't and ended up kinking it but that's ok because I'll just run a multi part tube and flare them for rubber in between. Another thing is I could not get both lines in the chassis through holes, I just think the 1/2 is too big to share. So the return line is just gonna hug the frame. Should be fine.

[Skippy597]

Ok I could use some help.here guys. These are the seats I bought, they are TMI cruiser classic lowbacks. I love them, great quality and appear very comfy. But I can not come up with a great idea on how to mount them. I've seen some seat mounts that might work but they list for a chevelle. Do they share the same floor pattern?

[Skippy597]

These from cipher auto seam like they'll fit but hot damn over $300 for brackets and they're over a month out.

[Skippy597]

Originally Posted by blueghoast

Best to gap the bags at top and bottom so you won't poke a hole in them.

GT

Hmm, so center them in the coil and then fill them partly? This is the first.set I've ever had and no I didn't read the instructions.

[bdk1976]

Since it hasn't been painted, I would at least consider going all the way and putting in a GTO tail panel as it is fairly easy to do at this point. The '66 GTO has iconic taillights and will likely be an easier sell if that day ever comes over a confusing mismatch of parts that presents as a half-assed clone. You might like the looks of it, but most buyers won't if resale value is part of the equation. Tough to change after bodywork/paint done.

[Skippy597]

Originally Posted by bdk1976

Since it hasn't been painted, I would at least consider going all the way and putting in a GTO tail panel as it is fairly easy to do at this point. The '66 GTO has iconic taillights and will likely be an easier sell if that day ever comes over a confusing mismatch of parts that presents as a half-assed clone. You might like the looks of it, but most buyers won't if resale value is part of the equation. Tough to change after bodywork/paint done.

Well, it's my car and not a half ass clone, it's my car, the way I want it and if someone doesn't like it they can build their own car lol. In my opinion the 66 lemans has the best tail panel.out of all the pontiacs. It may change looks a few times but it will never be sold.

[Skippy597]

Today's progress -

I dug through the pile of parts and found the gas pedal and it was not in great condition. So I tore it apart, wire wheeled it and sprayed it with some satin black. Cleaned up the pedal itself along with the trim and it slapped it back together. Came out pretty decent I think.

Also got my tires and wheels mounted and balanced. Wheels are wheel vintiques rally 1s 15x7 4.25 bs front and 15x8 5 bs rears. Tires are BFG radial TAs 235/70r15 fronts and 275/60r15s rear. I threw one wheel one the other day and wasn't happy with the amount of threads exposed on the studs. I think woth the discussion brakes it just takes up a little more than I'd like. So I dug around these wheel studs for mid 70-80s corvette and camaro. Slapped them in and they fit perfect and im.much more comfortable with the thread engagement now.

[gtokid1968]

You are inspiring me to get to work on my old junk!!!!

[Skippy597]

I can't figure out how to keep the pics from turning sideways.

[1966Lemans]

Everyone is jealous of our cool tail panel! 😂

[Skippy597]

Semi daily update:
I got my fuel likes 95% installed along woth a robbmc pre pump fuel filter. Pretty happy with how they came out, had to add a lot of bends to get them how I wanted them.

I installed reproduction factory style traction bars. I decided to go with the factory style because, well... they are cheaper than aftermarket tubular style ones. They're about 1/2 price and seem like they'll do the job just fine. They installed super easily but I did have to move my return line a little to clear the left side.

Also I got my American powertrain hydraulic clutch pedal in and boy is it a slick setup. For the first time I've got pedals in the car! Granted they're not hooked up to anything but it's still something.

Finally last Friday I discovered you can not fit 15x8 rally 1 wheels with 5" backspacing wih rear disc brakes, even with extensible grinding. I have a solution for this coming soon.