A few updates to the "new" '66

[LM14]

Thought it needed some shinies. Only gave $70 for the valve covers, they need a little polish work but are nice otherwise.


Also put in a new Hurst shifter and bent the stick to fit the seating position better. Switched to a wood wheel 'cause I like the look of them.


This is part of the planned winter work, picked it up for a hunderd bucks the other night.


Also have the stuff to put discs on it this winter, came with the truck when we traded.

Been driving the crap out of it and it's inspired me to get going on the unibody this winter. May not be enough time in the day after I retire this winter! Been gathering uni parts and sheetmetal. Got the "Y" on the engine stand and blasted all my engine parts. Between missing SS and getting the '66 I seem to be re-energized!


SPark

[foodstick]

That uni has a lot of character as she sits

[sgettin]

both are looking good. what are your plans for the uni, hopefully it doesn't include the words "lowered or dropped". just personal preference on my part.

[rickairmedic]

Ooooooh that uni would get a bath in CLR a coat of flat clear " slammed " and driven .


Rick

[LM14]

The uni will be lowered, sorry Scott. Kicked a lot of ideas around, looked at a lot of build threads, talked to a lot of people. Right now we're leaning Dakota front end, maybe a 4 bar rear on coilovers, Dodge truck bed floor (no visable bolt holes), fix all the rust (plenty of rust, see pics below), 292 (have the '57 T-bird heads, 4bbl Holley and '57 T-bird intake) with a T5 behind it, have a set of American Racing 200S wheels for it (15x8 and 15x7), smooth tailgate, bucket seat interior. Do it all with a street rod flavor.











Lot of metal work to do, that starts late fall if I can get everything gathered up.

SPark

[foodstick]

Man, I feel your pain on that box floor and the cab back wall, I wonder if the torsion box is even there anymore?

[LM14]

Acually, for some insane reason, it doesn't look all that horrible. Sure it will need rebuilt. Also have an 8.8 T-Bird Super Coupe IRS sitting around, hmmmmm.....

[rickairmedic]

I guess I need to get some pics of my " lack of bed floor " and the underside of my cab that thing looks almost pristine compared to mine . To give you a clue my front cab mounts have been gone long enough a PO decided to weld some 2-3" C channel between the frame and the lower kick panel areas under the cab .



Rick

[sgettin]

The uni will be lowered, sorry Scott.

argh, oh well. from the pictures it looks like you're saving one from the grave. be sure and post a build thread.

[LM14]

Rick, the right side cab mount is completely gone except 3" near the tranny side. The left side is there but is so rotten you can pull pieces out with your bare hands. The back cab/front box panel is really solid....once you get 3" above the floor. Guess I could leave it like that and reach for drinks under the cab and out of the cooler in the bed. The floor pans are junk from the firewall to the back panel and step to step. You say step? They're gone, as are the rockers. The risers are there and not all that bad actually, it's very odd what is gone and right beside it is something solid. The core support is junk as is the tailgate, surprise! Bed floor is swiss cheese with large portions completely gone. The rood and dash look good.

Fun times, love to cut rust out!

SPark

[rickairmedic]

Spark whats funny is I picked up my donor 63 longbed years before I picked up my 62 shorty yet the really bad areas on the shorty are good on the 63 . I didnt plan it that way but I am glad it worked out that way as I will be transfering alot of sheetmetal from the 63 over to the 62 .



Rick

[MadMaxetc]

I feel your pain on the rot! Mine didn't have the surface rust like yours, but the end result was the same...total replacement.