James Romano
Well-Known Member
First just wanted to say thanks to all those members who like to chime in and help out newbies like me. I pretty much finished up my engine bay clean-up aside from my brake booster being out for rebuild with Booster Dewey. I've learned a lot, and learned I should have done more homework before I bought the car. As beautiful as it is... whomever owned it over the life-span took care of it, but really made a mess of things.
Here's what I found that was wrong with my car.
1. Wrong window washer system. At some point, they must have put in a mid-70s system because parts weren't avail and re-routed it all wrong, even flipping the horns over to the front of the radiator support. - corrected. Installed correct system, replaced faulty dashboard wiper/washer switch, ran all new lines and awaiting arrival of 2 restored washer jets. Cleaned/painted and properly installed horns to OEM location.
2. Wrong fuel pump. I found a early 70's 440 fuel pump was installed... which also inscluded incorrect routing of fuel line and placement of fuel filter. While removing the alternator, the wires split open. Replaced all broken wires, cleaned and painted Alternator. Installed correct Carter 383 Fuel pump along with a new pushrod. Ran all new correct OEM placement fuel lines. Installed new fuel filter. Re-painted all exposed engine areas.
3. Found coil wires broken, bad engine ground. Replaced coil wires, and re-secured engine ground strap.
4. Both shocks bad. Replaced old Midas shocks with new Monroe shocks. Painted whole area, and installed new mud flaps with new SS clips.
5. Ran all new SS brake lines, and brake hoses. Opened each front drum brake, brakes looked good and new. Cleaned distribution block and prepped for single to dual master change-over. Reapplied POR15 to whole chassis and radiator mounts. Painted Flat black for Chassis and semi-gloss on other areas.
6. Removed front sway bar and started clean-up process of bar and replacing sway bar bushings.
7. Removed CAP air cleaner. Wrong air cleaner for set-up. Did not have proper PCV system setup for air filter. Wrong year decal. Found dual snorkel on eBay!!! Applied proper year decal and installed. Looks awesome!
8. Installed new Fel-pro valve cover gaskets.
9. Removed metal hose clamps where it was more visible and installed proper year hose clamps. Cut back heater hose to proper length.
10. Cleaned cowling and installed new cowling to hood seal.
11. Have new hood insulation pad on order... will install this week.
12. Removed, cleaned and painted battery box. Sprayed bottom with rubberized paint.
That's where I'm at now. Once again, have to thank all of you guys that have offered some really good advice in helping me get her back to near OEM. I plan on showing her and entering her in amature contests just for the sake of having a mid-60's C-Body in the competition. Nothing against Impalas and Galaxys... but it's I've seen enough of them.
JR
Before...
After...
Here's what I found that was wrong with my car.
1. Wrong window washer system. At some point, they must have put in a mid-70s system because parts weren't avail and re-routed it all wrong, even flipping the horns over to the front of the radiator support. - corrected. Installed correct system, replaced faulty dashboard wiper/washer switch, ran all new lines and awaiting arrival of 2 restored washer jets. Cleaned/painted and properly installed horns to OEM location.
2. Wrong fuel pump. I found a early 70's 440 fuel pump was installed... which also inscluded incorrect routing of fuel line and placement of fuel filter. While removing the alternator, the wires split open. Replaced all broken wires, cleaned and painted Alternator. Installed correct Carter 383 Fuel pump along with a new pushrod. Ran all new correct OEM placement fuel lines. Installed new fuel filter. Re-painted all exposed engine areas.
3. Found coil wires broken, bad engine ground. Replaced coil wires, and re-secured engine ground strap.
4. Both shocks bad. Replaced old Midas shocks with new Monroe shocks. Painted whole area, and installed new mud flaps with new SS clips.
5. Ran all new SS brake lines, and brake hoses. Opened each front drum brake, brakes looked good and new. Cleaned distribution block and prepped for single to dual master change-over. Reapplied POR15 to whole chassis and radiator mounts. Painted Flat black for Chassis and semi-gloss on other areas.
6. Removed front sway bar and started clean-up process of bar and replacing sway bar bushings.
7. Removed CAP air cleaner. Wrong air cleaner for set-up. Did not have proper PCV system setup for air filter. Wrong year decal. Found dual snorkel on eBay!!! Applied proper year decal and installed. Looks awesome!
8. Installed new Fel-pro valve cover gaskets.
9. Removed metal hose clamps where it was more visible and installed proper year hose clamps. Cut back heater hose to proper length.
10. Cleaned cowling and installed new cowling to hood seal.
11. Have new hood insulation pad on order... will install this week.
12. Removed, cleaned and painted battery box. Sprayed bottom with rubberized paint.
That's where I'm at now. Once again, have to thank all of you guys that have offered some really good advice in helping me get her back to near OEM. I plan on showing her and entering her in amature contests just for the sake of having a mid-60's C-Body in the competition. Nothing against Impalas and Galaxys... but it's I've seen enough of them.
JR
Before...
After...
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