This Weekend's Wrenching

[I66coupe]

Well, I got to work on the '66 200 this weekend. I needed to get some broken bolts out of the head that broke off when I removed the exhuast manifold. Four of them broke off. We tried everything. Three were still sticking out of the head so we installed nuts on them and welded them on. We heated the head and tried to spin them out but just broke them off again. We drilled then and tried easy-outs but that didn't work. Wound up drilling them out completely and rethreading the holes. Such fun!

Took the valve cover off and checked the valve stem seals. They need replacing. Have some on order and should have them tomorrow.

Pulled the damaged oil pan off and inspected the bottom end. Everything looks clean and perfect in there. Looks like a new engine down there. Checked the timing chain play and its good. Very happy about all that. Harmonic balancer needs replacing. I can see cracking in the rubber. I'll get the engine stripped of paint and then repaint it. Should look great for re-installation.

The car has 41k original miles and the engine condition bears that out. While I'm in there, I'm going to replace the oil pan, front and rear seals. I'll replace the cracked exhaust manifold also. The flywheel has been resurfaced but it was in great condition anyway. The clutch, throwout bearing and pressure plate are on order. The T5 goes to the shop for inspection this week, the adapter is here and ready to go in.

Things are finally beginning to move forward on this car. This all started when that paper-mache 2.77 tranny broke. Decided to install a T5 and one thing led to another.

 

[66Sprint6]

Sounds awesome! Its always a good feeling when alot gets done and you did the work!!! Keep on it and let us know how it all works out! Got some broken bolts of my own to take care of Im afraid, plus my C4 just broke so Im on the T5 path as well. Take it easy!
Matt

 

[I66coupe]

Ya, feels good.

I've got new carpet, new battery tray, new jack, ratchet jack handle, carpet underlayment, trunk underlayment, trunk mat, spare tire hold-down hardware, jack bag, spare tire cover. Already replaced the water pump, coil, heater core, ignition switch, front strut bushings, shocks, radio speaker and old bias ply Goodyear tires (which must have been the second set of tires for this car). Still have the original Firestone spare with the rubber whiskers still on it. It was installed at one time but I think it was used to get the car to a service station (remember those?) where the Goodyears were put on. There is a red dye stripe on the spare that is still there, so the spare must not have been driven very far at all. You can see some wear on the rubber whiskers.

Not sure what to do about the spare though. I now have modern radials on the car and if I have a flat, I'd hate to put that Firestone on the road. Still has 1966 air in it I would guess.

Maybe sell the spare to some atmospheric scientists?

My brother is going to cut me some alternator brackets from a slab of stainless steel, so they'll look good. I have a chrome valve cover, going to have the air cleaner chromed as soon as I can afford it. I'll repaint it for now and get a new decal for it. Also going to get a chrome alternator at some point. Want the engine compartment to look good.