[Jerry H.]

Originally Posted by 70ra455

Only the tri power full size cars had the 093 heads as far as I know

I think only the HO cars got the 093 heads. I think the 4 bbl 421 and the 356 hp 3x2 421's got the 092 heads.

[70ra455]

I beg to differ but no worries ... not worth arguing over.

Here is just one source of many.

http://classicalpontiac.com/ Go to "Restore" and type in 1966 then look at the line for WH engine block ...

[70ra455]

Another source for the head codes ...

http://www.wallaceracing.com/head1.htm

[Jerry H.]

I've never used those 'resources'. Just used low mileage original cars that I've been familiar with over the last 30 years. But I've been wrong before!

[70ra455]

OK car is stripped ... all that is needed to remove the body from frame is steering column and emergency brakes! I'll post pictures ... car is super solid. Amazing really.

Tested my original power antenna ... worked like a charm!
Tested one I purchased from someone else ... dead ... nothing from motor ... but the mast looks great.
Tested one that I had on my parts car ... broken mast ... motor was humming along but the mast wasn't moving.
I'm going to take the good mast out of the dead motor unit and put it in the unit where the motor is humming and see if it works. Then, if that works I'll send the other one out to get the motor fixed and put an original mast in ... anyone have a good condition '66 power antenna mast for sale?

Friend coming over to do body work (metal work in areas that need it ... fender bottoms and qtrs. behind the wheel on rocker ... we're starting Tuesday and hopefully be done by Friday night!

If that goes well I'll take the body off the frame after that ... send the frame out to be sandblasted and powder coated ... found a very reasonable price (if it's true) and I'm going that route. Found a great contact to do the smaller powder coating and will bring him all the rest of the stuff I want powder coated.

I contacted a man in NJ who did my chroming on my GTO 9 years ago and it still looks new and he was very reasonable. I'm going to see if I can drop off my work before my vacation and pick it up 10 days later! We'll see ... I want to go to a guy whose work I know ... it seems the rechromers out here in Detroit are hard to find and very expensive ... unless someone knows someone?

It was a VERY BUSY AUGUST ... but now that things are going to calm down a bit (or so it seems at this point) I'm going to make more headway.

A friend gave me a brand new 70,000 btu furnace ... the gas company hooked up the gas line and meter for $200 ... and now my friend will hook it all up for the cost of materials so this insulated garage will have heat all winter! So we should get lots of movement all year ... as long as nothing else comes up.

Just got done putting on a Community Festival ... 6500 people came ... 450 classic cars ... everything free all day (food, rides, trophies, give-a-ways, etc etc) so that took up a lot of time as well.

I'll take pictures before and after the body work ...

[70ra455]

2 Fenders squared away ...
1 qtr squared away ...
one small patch on driver's lower qtr to go for metal work ...

Prepped fender skirts packed away until paint ...

Worked on restoring a '66 dash ... making headway on my first '66 dash. (A '65 is almost complete as well and coming out great) ...
Many parts ordered and came in ... can't think of all of them but here's a partial list:
- nos trunk weatherstrip
- tape for door reveal
- nos rear reverse light assemblies that go into bumper
- poa shroud/cover
- nos coil
- repro battery cables (spring ring and part number stamped)
- nos oil pressure sender (for gauges)
- repro temp sender (correct resistance etc) for gauges

there's more that I can't remember off the top of my head but as I put it all together it will all be documented on paper and camera

I'll post pics tomorrow of how the body panels look with the metal repair

[JSPONT]

Wish I could get my car done this fast!

[70ra455]

OK ... went to NJ for the past couple of weeks. But I had an opportunity to pick up a rechromed rear bumper and rocker moldings that I picked up months ago but my friend bought them and stored them until I could get there.

I was SHOCKED that the rocker moldings were that awesome. But no rear quarter moldings (thought there was supposed to be one) ... that's the bad news. The good news is that there were 3 door moldings and 3 lower under the door moldings besides the 2 fender moldings ... all without ONE pit! Amazing. Even had the rubber bumpers on the tabs to protect the body and reduce rattling. I never knew that they even had them ... none of my other moldings have them. (I'm going to make some up if they don't repro them ...)

The rear bumper was rechromed and looked excellent. So I've got an extra rear bumper now ... done with that need.

Now that I'm back and the fall is upon us ... I'm anticipating some real progress with the car now ...

[70ra455]

Ooops some pics ...

1. fender with rusted bottom section
2. fender with rusted wheel well lip
3. fender with repaired bottom including mint bracing (amazing job)
4. bracing
5. fender with repaired wheel well lip (amazing job)

[70ra455]

Ok haven't been in the garage since the cold weather came ... plus the holidays are crazy for us ... Danny passed on November 14th and that time hurts, his birthday is the 21st of December and then Christmas and New Years is a sad time for all the obvious reasons. But we did get a new heater in the garage (a free 70,000 btu heater from a friend and $200 to install it) ... so everything was 55 degrees all winter. But with the good weather has come a renewed spirit and a better attitude.

So this week all the suspension and brake lines were stripped. I'm really hoping to get the body off the frame and on the borrowed rotisserie next week? I've had a bunch of stuff powder coated already.

The frame is getting powder coated when we get the body off. Found a great price for that.

I still have the one Driver's Qtr to repair but my friend who helped to the other 3 patches has been working 6-7 days per week and he's tied up. So I'm thinking of calling someone else to pay them to get the last patch done and then the trunk ... it only "needs" 2 patches above the body mounts but I'm thinking of just having a new trunk put in so it's done ... once for all.

The 8-lugs came out awesome.

I will post pictures of the parts in the next few days as well. Just wanted to update ...

[Engine-Ear]

Thank you for the update!!

[JSPONT]

Cool. Glad you are still going. I get ups and downs on my car too. Starting to work on it again since spring is around the corner. Hope you and your family are healing well.

[2+2+3x2]

I'm enjoying the updates, looks like things are moving right along, it's going to be stunning. One thing that would make it better would be for you to park a '67 GP vert, 428HO 4 speed right next to it. Just saying!!
Cary

[70ra455]

Oh I agree Cary! But it's always about the money ... and marriage! lol

But I've offered you a 1 of 2 known GTO Convertible as trade ...

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by 70ra455

Oh I agree Cary! ... But I've offered you a 1 of 2 known GTO Convertible as trade ...

thumbs up!

[gregneun]

PM's aren't working so hot and I couldn't figure out how to attach a pic in there.

Greg

[70ra455]

Thanks JSPONT ... I can't even say the words ... when I think we're healing then we realize that we're not. So we keep busy ... and serve others all the time. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy ... but thank you for asking ... really.

Hi Greg: I just saw you pics ... (disregard the PM) ... to rusty for me ... but thanks anyway. I've got a mint condition one powdercoated but will always consider a backup that's in great shape. Thanks for posting the pics ...

[Keith Vrabec]

I love the 66 GP. My first car IS a 66 GP 421/376 4 sp car I bought in 1978. It STILL isn't done, because it had more rust than metal when I bought it. It is an ordeal, of course but never leaving my possession...

I have a restored 66 as well, 421 4bbl car converted to 4 sp.

Not much out there like them. Only thing that compares is Buick Rivs but I don't like them nearly as much


Keep this project rolling. Its a lot of fun to see it.

Life throws us lots of lemons. I'm glad you make it lemonade. Though I appreciate your special car immensely, it does not even begin to be nearly as appreciated by me as your attitude.


Oh and Carey, if that 67 needs a parking spot, I got one here for it!!!

PS our taste in cars is quite similar....66 GP, 70 Le Mans Sport ragtop and 2013 "Pontiac" Challenger RT 5.7 6 speed with Cervini shaker hood.

[70ra455]

Wow Keith I didn't know you had an HO car! I had (the ONLY selling of a car I'll ever regret) a '65 HO Bonnie Convertible .. 4spd ... a/c ... pw ... ugh ... my only car regret.

Love your other cars ... we actually met before years ago when I lived in Pittstown NJ for 17 years ...

[70ra455]

and thanks for the sentiments ... trust me, without our faith in Christ there is NO WAY Sue and I could have even breathed another breath let alone survive and continue to serve others.