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TheRX7Project
TheRX7Project Reader
4/16/19 9:41 a.m.

Update 4/16/19:

IT IS ALIVE! I got the old gas out and new gas in, and it started and ran. I even backed it out and turned it around in the parking spot. The brakes are downright scary- even at just idle speeds I was unsure if I'd be able to stop. Brake parts and the idler arm have been ordered. I'm upgrading to a '67 master cylinder and using a conversion/ full brake like kit from Inline Tube.

TheRX7Project
TheRX7Project Reader
5/9/19 3:41 p.m.

Well it's been slow-going, but I'm starting to feel the pressure of my impending deadline. Plus, I'd like to have some time to work the bugs out instead of "hey I just got the car driving the day before we drive 5 hours". Unfortunately poor weather and lack of shelter has kept progress much slower than I'd like.

But here is a most recent update-

I got the car up and removed the rear brake lines and the new pre-bent lines installed (from Inline Tube). The lines fit phenomenally and I would recommend them for anyone doing a complete brake revamp. The kit I got was even set up for a single-to-dual master cylinder conversion.

I had a few issues with stuff being gunked up or siezed, but I managed to work my way through it. Boy, those brake lines look great.

But wait a minute... notice anything missing? Yeah, whoever did te brakes on this car last never installed the self-adjuster cable. Maybe that's part of why the brakes sucked so bad. My dad (the previous owner) denies ever having done the brakes. So progress is halted until I get those cables in (should be Monday).

Also, in case anyone needs a friendly reminder that the driver's side on an old MoPar is left-hand thread, I present exhibit C:

Yes, I BROKE THE BREAKER BAR handle off, no I was not using a cheater pipe. I'm just a large man and apparently the wheel stud was able to handle 700+lb/ft (I'm 350# and I was standing on the end of a 2' bar, so math). They came right off when I stopped trying to tighten them.

So my checklist is growing shorter, not by much, but even a snail gets there eventually:
Idler Arm, Finish the brakes, Oil change, Coolant hoses, Fan belt, Final install on fuel pump/filter, and a few minor wiring things I want to do and she'll be ready. Will it be done in time for June 11th? I guess we'll find out in 32 days...

ETA: A guy was dropping his trailer off and gave me some encouragement. "Places like this are usually where cars come to die, I'm glad to see something making it out."

volvoclearinghouse
volvoclearinghouse PowerDork
5/9/19 9:37 p.m.

In reply to TheRX7Project :

I have nothing to add other than, good luck, we're all counting on you.  

Also, June 11 is my daughter's birthday. Not that that is relevant in any way at all. 

 

79rex
79rex New Reader
5/9/19 9:37 p.m.

Looks like your breaker bar become a broken bar :laughs:

Saron81
Saron81 Reader
5/10/19 11:38 a.m.

My first car was a gold on gold 66 Belvedere I two door post car. Lots of good teenage memories! I discovered that a slant 6 will still run with a rod sticking thru the block, lol! Cool to see this here. Have fun with it!

TheRX7Project
TheRX7Project Reader
5/21/19 12:53 p.m.

Well not to let everyone down, but a change in my work schedule means there is no chance the car will be ready in time for the HRPT. I do still intend to get the car back out on the road, but it probably won't be until the end of June sad

The good news is, I'll have some extra spending money at HRPT from all the OT...

TheRX7Project
TheRX7Project HalfDork
8/5/19 7:47 a.m.

So an inch of progress, finally. It has been a busy couple months. I did get the front brakes mostly apart only to find out you need a modified wrench to take off the wheel cylinders, which I seem to forget at home EVERY TIME I go to work on it. That took some wind out of my sails, but having the Car-B-Q at my house and seeing my friends' cars put a boot in my butt. I did manage to get the new master cylinder installed and ran some fluid through it. I also put the modified wrench in my car so I can't forget it next time. All that's really left is those front brakes and some little stuff (mounting and wiring the fuel pump, misc. wiring). I've decided once I get the brakes done I'll be dropping it off at the shop next door for an alignment and new tie rods as well.

 

Soon... hopefully.

79rex
79rex Reader
9/17/19 7:32 a.m.

uuupppppdaaaatttttessssssssss

 

TheRX7Project
TheRX7Project HalfDork
9/26/19 2:51 p.m.

It has driven! In the lot.

I think the rear brakes may need to be bled more OR the pushrod for the master may not be long enough since I changed master cylinders. But I drove it. I did a small burnout (don't tell the lot owner). It was glorious.

Agent98
Agent98 Reader
9/26/19 4:08 p.m.

Agreed. six months to a year of minimal progress = major, major progress.

TheRX7Project
TheRX7Project HalfDork
10/3/19 10:50 a.m.

It's HOME! Temporarily. Well, long enough that I am going to use it to pick my kid up from school on my birthday next week. Then she goes back to rest until spring.
It leaks, it pulls to the right, the heat and the wipers don't work. The tires are dry rotted and there is moss growing on the rear quarters. Somehow I just don't care. I'm just so glad to be driving it. It runs, it drives, it stops.
The brake issue was the pushrod being too short, which I took care of with an adjustable one from Right Stuff. Also, it is using up fuel filters like crazy- the inside of the gas tank is apparently made of sand now. Good thing they're only a few bucks.

Should be good for a few more miles, right?

volvoclearinghouse
volvoclearinghouse PowerDork
10/3/19 12:20 p.m.

I once cleaned out a fuel filter that looked much like that one in the sink of a gas station bathroom.  Pressurized hot water does a remarkably good job of "refreshing" an old fuel filter.  

Congrats on getting the old junk roadworthy!

dropstep
dropstep UltraDork
10/3/19 1:53 p.m.

Always nice to see an old car back on the road!

79rex
79rex Reader
10/3/19 7:29 p.m.

ill be sure to let the the authorites know about your storage lot burn out next time im there.  Although I think he might understand

MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt PowerDork
10/4/19 7:03 a.m.

Looks like these guys have a new gas tank available for about $100. No experience with this site myself, but I'm running a similarly priced repro gas tank in my '66 Dart.

https://restorationpartssource.com/store/gas-tank-1966-67-belvedere-19-gal-dynacorn-details.html

TheRX7Project
TheRX7Project HalfDork
10/4/19 8:40 a.m.

In reply to MadScientistMatt :

That's 33-ish fuel filters!

Actually this one does have a pinhole leak, so it may be something to check into. Thanks.

I drove it to work today because it is supposed to be nice and not raining. Somehow I managed to hate driving it and like driving it at the same time. I'm hoping the gauges/gauge lights not working may just be power or ground to the cluster (common problem). Something for me to look at. I wouldn't mind knowing how the temp is and how much gas I have...

MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt PowerDork
10/4/19 8:47 a.m.

If there's no gauges, also check the instrument panel voltage regulator, which is another common problem.

TheRX7Project
TheRX7Project HalfDork
10/4/19 8:50 a.m.

In reply to MadScientistMatt :

Yes I was going to check that too. I just think it has a better chance of being a power/ground issue since the lights aren't working either. I know you can make a replacement 5V regulator for only a few pennies- plus I was looking at a phone charger and noticed it was 5VDC output, so theoretically I could just wire that in.

Woody
Woody GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/4/19 8:52 a.m.
MadScientistMatt said:

Looks like these guys have a new gas tank available for about $100. No experience with this site myself, but I'm running a similarly priced repro gas tank in my '66 Dart.

https://restorationpartssource.com/store/gas-tank-1966-67-belvedere-19-gal-dynacorn-details.html

^This hurts. A leaking gas tank and no source for a replacement was why I sold my '67 Belvedere II hardtop back in 1985. My grandparents bought it new and I spent my entire childhood in that car. I inherited it in high school, but could never put more than 5 gallons of gas in it or it would leak out all over the place.

TheRX7Project
TheRX7Project HalfDork
10/4/19 8:57 a.m.

In reply to Woody :

Ouch. I know until recently there wasn't anything available for the redhead stepchild '66-67 cars. Even still there isn't nearly as much as there is for the '68-70s.

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