Well guys, without crucifying me I would like opinions on the future of this car. I am thinking the unthinkable---dismanteling. This car needs a full frame swap plus quarters and door posts and likely floors if I was to do it right. The good----the 153,000 original mile 396 big block runs great, this is an all original numbers matching car. So I dropped the gas tank, cleaned it all out, re-installed with a new low pressure electronic fuel pump that delivers the correct 6-8 psi that the original factory quadrajet needs. Then I timed up the HEI that I dropped in the hole, new plugs, swapped in a newer rad for now and ran it hot. Then I dumped the old oil and set it all back up, a couple litres of tranny fluid and I was out laying rubber by the end of the day. After numerous refreshments and much contemplation I got to thinking how I could save 5 years of my life by simply swapping that entire driveline into my 50 Chev p/u rod project. And then selling the carcass for parts....eeeeeh gad, Am I nuts to dimantel this rare beast? I will have to dismantel regardless if I decide to restore it. Better yet...carefully pull the drivetrain, sure run it in something else for awhile but keep that soft old carcass around so that I still have the entire package available for future consideration. Of course then you have space requirements and the friendy local bylaw officer to deal with. Maybe stick to finding a nice frame, throw the original body on a rotisserie and get out the welder. An absolute ton of work and a bottomless money pit. But in the end what do I have, a $20,000 car...hardly seems worth the effort. Thoughts anyone...I know this 396 car is very rare, would I be a fool to dismantel and part out the shell ??? Please no swearing. TIA
-- Edited by ss1867 on Saturday 21st of July 2012 04:30:44 PM
-- Edited by ss1867 on Saturday 21st of July 2012 04:31:37 PM
-- Edited by ss1867 on Saturday 21st of July 2012 10:51:26 PM
i have 66, one of 134..and its rusty..every one wants me to restore it...but its so bad..its a parts car..im keeping it on the low, and whacking it...3 or 4 other cars will live because of it...
Well, I know they will all come on here and laugh because it's me telling you this (because I scavenged numerous big blocks from B bodies in the 70's and 80's) but if at all possible, save it. Believe me, I know the regrets I live with now at what I've done too many times.
But as stated, the bottom line is it's your car and you do what you want.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
If it's that far gone!! it's time to BURY it. Have to look at this sensibly, by the time you spend all that $ & time, What have you got?? A $20,000 car at "BEST" [thats all patched] & you'll have way more than that in it!!! Only other option is to find a "Mint" matching car & clone it with the d/line & keep the # plates too. As the others have said "it;s your car"???
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Some times I wake up GRUMPY, but today I let her sleep in !!!!!!!!BLACKSTOCK Ont.
If it's that far gone!! it's time to BURY it. Have to look at this sensibly, by the time you spend all that $ & time, What have you got?? A $20,000 car at "BEST" [thats all patched] & you'll have way more than that in it!!! Only other option is to find a "Mint" matching car & clone it with the d/line & keep the # plates too. As the others have said "it;s your car"???
Its not that desireable out side of this froum. We all would love to see a nicely restored 66 big block car but economics and brains have to rule on this one. Offer it for sale, maybe one of the guys on here who wants it restored will buy it, then you can buy a modern crate engine that has more power & torque and a warranty. There was one on a stand at the dealer here 350 CID, 385 HP 405 lb ft for $4,999.
