'66 Newport 2 Door hardtop

darth_linux · Apr 8, 2023

Not a huge thing, but a little Rustoleom Gloss Cranberry goes a long way. Before and after.

At some point soon I’m gonna repaint all of the flat black and polish every last bit of chrome on the grille. I did the headlight bezels already since those are removable.

darth_linux · Apr 16, 2023

Spent a few hours with a scotch brite pad scouring off decades of grime from the chrome parts of my grille, and then used some semi-flat Testors to repaint all the vertical “blackout” areas. The only part I didn’t get to yet is the thin black line in the center section of the ornament. I’ll have to find a way to either mask or use a qtip to clean up my mistakes. I’ll give it a go next weekend.

darth_linux · Apr 19, 2023

Finally got this infernal contraption installed and working.

Had to move the factory sending unit for the dummy light over to the other side since the sending unit for the gauge was too big and bumped into the intake manifold cross bracket thingy.

Used a M10x1.00 female to 1/4" NPT male adapter for the factory sending unit in the passenger side hole.

~60 PSI at a fast idle (800 rpm), 30 PSI at warm idle (500)

Had to break down and buy this to get the factory sending unit out. None of my buddies in town had one. $12 @ O'Reilly.

darth_linux · Apr 23, 2023

Muffler replacement BEFORE and AFTER.

The generic muffler that was installed on SS Anderson was damaged during transport by a shipping company. I told the PO not to worry about replacing it before the sale and that I'd take care of it. Here's a short video of the exhaust note with it installed.

BEFORE -

I installed a Walker 18381 which seemed like a close enough fit to my original. Had some fitment problems though, since I failed to measure my existing inlet and outlet pipes. My inlet = 2 1/4", the Walker inlet = 2 1/2". My outlet = 2", the Walker out = 2 1/2". Uh-oh. So until I can get some reducing adapters, I just used some HVAC tape to prevent some massive exhaust leaks. I'm pretty embarrassed by my mistake, but it actually didn't turn out too bad. No leaks YET . . .

AFTER -

Since I couldn't effectively clamp the muffler in place as it was, I'm using baling wire to keep the muffler from rotating.

Yes, this is embarrassing. Baling wire and HVAC tape to keep it together until I get some reducing adapters. Dual exhaust is in my future anyways, so this will get the job done for now.

darth_linux · Apr 23, 2023

Also today while I had the car on a lift I replaced the "non-booted" output shaft seal on the transmission. I ran into a bit of an issue, nicking the "sleeve/bushing" that was in the output shaft with a screwdriver while getting the old seal out of the way. I made some adjustments to it so it didn't contact the driveshaft and I think I'm gonna be ok. If not, I'll have to take it all apart again and replace the sleeve/bushing. Crossing my fingers.

carguy300 · Apr 23, 2023

Sometimes we got to do what we got to do, southern engineering we called it here in texas! The under carriage sure looks good!

darth_linux · Apr 25, 2023

Just washed the Newport. It’s sitting in my car park as the evening cools down. This view makes me so happy. The kitty likes it too.

darth_linux · Apr 30, 2023

Took the SS Anderson to her first car show today. Didn’t win any prizes but it was still fun.

carguy300 · Apr 30, 2023

Its all about the good times!

darth_linux · May 1, 2023

I love fixing little details. On their own the are insignificant, but when combined, they take the presentation of the car to a new level.

I added the black detail to the grille ornament over the weekend. There’s a tiny bit of cleanup to do with a qtip and brake cleaner, but aside from the crazed clear plastic, it looks better. I also repainted the satin black that should be on the sides and top of all the trunk and hood lettering. It really cleans them up.

darth_linux · May 2, 2023

Working on a placard for display at car shows. This is a draft, car artwork is "placeholder" until I get photos of SS Anderson in the correct orientations.

carguy300 · May 2, 2023

Lots of carshows in east texas this time if year! Come on down! I hope to get my 68 300 show ready for Chryslers at Carlisle next year.

darth_linux · May 2, 2023

carguy300 said:
Lots of carshows in east texas this time if year! Come on down! I hope to get my 68 300 show ready for Chryslers at Carlisle next year.

I'd need to take out a second mortgage on my home to pay for gas from Spokane to East Texas and back, lol! 2200 miles each way!

carguy300 · May 2, 2023

Maybe but, gas is cheaper here and you would have tail wind on the way down!

carguy300 · May 2, 2023

My mother n law is from quincy washington, we were up there last year for a visit. Really beautiful country!

Sixpactogo · May 2, 2023

You've done a nice job on your Newport. Details are important. Congrats!

darth_linux · May 2, 2023

carguy300 said:
My mother n law is from quincy washington, we were up there last year for a visit. Really beautiful country!

It is a nice area. Catching concerts at the gorge Amphitheater is one of the best things to do in the summertime. I saw Rush there in 2011 and it was phenomenal!

carguy300 · May 2, 2023

That would have been awsome!, high school days when 2112 came out! Those were the days!

1966newport · May 2, 2023

i have turbine bronze one i may consider selling. has a 68 440 in it. doesnt run. motor has internal iisues that dont have time or money to fix. orginal interrior, mosty original paint.

darth_linux · May 3, 2023

Took some photos today of the car to use as artwork for my car show placard I’m making. Of course the background has to be edited out but otherwise, the car looks pretty good!