GJS's 1967 Dodge Monaco 500: Beverly

[GJS]

Now that’s a quarter panel. I can just imagine dad figuring out how they’re going to punch that thing out of a flat sheet. Gorgeous car!

Thanks, man! She's got somthing about her!

 

[LocuMob]

I'm late to the party, very nice car! Keep it up.

 

[GJS]

Details, details.
Took a little chrome polish to some interior parts just to see what came out and what needs replacing. So far, only the bottom passenger side corner of the rear window interior trim is beyond saving. Took a ride just to see stuff reflect in it:

 

[65fury1]

Welcome to Connecticut.
All I know is that I got in a half hour line to get a ticket to get in another half hour line where they checked to make sure I had all my documents so that I'd be ok to wait 2 hours in the waiting room for my number to be called when the entire state computer system crashed (apparently for the 3rd time this week) right after my payment went through but before they could finalize and print my registration.

I remember waiting 5 1/2 hours at the Bridgeport ct dmv to register one of my cars once.

 

[GJS]

I remember waiting 5 1/2 hours at the Bridgeport ct dmv to register one of my cars once.

Yup, did about that in Willimantic registering a completely unsatisfying 1982 Ford Escort 4 door once.... I mean, at least the Monaco was actually worth the wait.

 

[Fratzog]

Public sector institutions have an inherently low quality orientation towards customer service. There is simply no incentive. Car is looking good btw.

 

[GJS]

Public sector institutions have an inherently low quality orientation towards customer service. There is simply no incentive. Car is looking good btw.

True, though it still seems to vary (however slightly) State to State or in my experience in Canada Province to Province. Certainly my time in Washington was all smooth sailing, at the DMV anyhow... of course that was 20 +/- years ago now.

Thanks, man! I haven't done much as far as the body or interior are concerned, just a light hearted cleaning on both counts. Still deciding how deep and when I want to go at that. Diving it has put a massive crimp in my desire to have it be not drivable during any massive projects.

 

[rapidtrans]

Gotta admit. Michigan Secretary of State offices have really improved in the last 10 years. I think I was in and out in half an hour when I registered and transferred title for the Monaco 2 years ago.

 

[cantflip]

True, though it still seems to vary (however slightly) State to State or in my experience in Canada Province to Province. Certainly my time in Washington was all smooth sailing, at the DMV anyhow... of course that was 20 +/- years ago now.

Thanks, man! I haven't done much as far as the body or interior are concerned, just a light hearted cleaning on both counts. Still deciding how deep and when I want to go at that. Diving it has put a massive crimp in my desire to have it be not drivable during any massive projects.

I final found ONE office that works reasonably well... that will probably change by the next time I need them. Titling the Twins took the majority of two days... on the right side I did find a nice Cuban sandwich shop in a plaza I intend to NEVER visit again.

 

[detmatt]

Here in MI we can get in line online and receive text updates on how long before your number will be called.
What are you using for chrome polish? I’ve had great results with Never Dull and it looks like whatever you’re using works great too.
Have you checked the length of your fuel pump pushrod yet?

 

[GJS]

I final found ONE office that works reasonably well... that will probably change by the next time I need them. Titling the Twins took the majority of two days... on the right side I did find a nice Cuban sandwich shop in a plaza I intend to NEVER visit again.

All we got near the Enfield office is the 7-11. All we got near the Willimantic office is, um, Willimantic... That's hard to explain to someone who's never been to Willimantic but suffice to say: No point in leaving the DMV while waiting.

 

[GJS]

Here in MI we can get in line online and receive text updates on how long before your number will be called.
What are you using for chrome polish? I’ve had great results with Never Dull and it looks like whatever you’re using works great too.
Have you checked the length of your fuel pump pushrod yet?

Damn. Score one for MI. One would think more states would have caught onto the fact that stuff like this is now possible.

For the chrome, I basically had a small container of old old old turtle wax chrome polish inherited in a "box o chemicals" from my Grandfather. I haven't really invested in anything nice that way as I'm not sure what direction I'm going in yet. With the bodywork that needs to be done, a full detail would be wasted energy at this point.

I replaced my fuel pump pushrod when I did the timing chain, fuel pump, oil pump and whatever-the-hell-else I did so everything should be fine there.

 

[cantflip]

Here in MI we can get in line online and receive text updates on how long before your number will be called.
What are you using for chrome polish? I’ve had great results with Never Dull and it looks like whatever you’re using works great too.
Have you checked the length of your fuel pump pushrod yet?

We have something very similar... however, the tax collector is the tag office and they have several categories of service they provide. The other categories all seem to take precedence over title work, so you can sit for an hour+++ being the next in line. Dumber than before they got the system IMO.

 

[GJS]

Started picking away at the trunk as the tank was out anyway. The duct tape under the spatter paint revealed this;

The other side which was not covered is pitted to hell but only through here:

I assume there is a lot more there that is very close to through and should be replaced regardless but not too too bad for a 50 yr old car that's had a rear window leak for god knows how long.
I'm in no position to weld this up at the moment so I'm going to wire wheel as much of the spatter paint off as possible and treat these areas... that should last me the year or so it takes till I have enough to do the proper restoration I want to do.

 

[65sporty]

Rust holes, BOO!!! Treating it will help stop it until you can cut it out

 

[GJS]

Rust holes, BOO!!! Treating it will help stop it until you can cut it out

I figured there had to be some holes somewhere. If they're that minimal in the trunk, the floors are likely similar. The big question is the rear window channel now... I know there's a few small spots in the firewall but that channel is likely Swiss cheese.

 

[GJS]

At long last, the steering is complete.
About a month ago, I shoehorned the new steering box in which was way less of a pain with an engine hoist handy.Figuring out that working on a car solo at 23 years old was far easier than it is at 41. I hooked up the column, then (of course) life set in for a bit. I'd pick here and there, built the tie rods one day, hooked them to the center link a few days later, ran everything to the knuckles then it sat that way for a while.

Anyway, I deduced that I was a tooth off on the pitman arm, thankfully I hadn't torqued anything so I slipped the center link off, repositioned the pitman arm and got everything back together, torqued and greased last night. I kind of eyeballed the toe in and steered through with the front end jacked up... everything moved as it should... theres going to be a bit of messing with things there.

Tonight I'll adjust the steering pump belt, fill 'er up and fire 'er off. Here's hoping it got it somewhat right.

 

[MarPar]

Figuring out that working on a car solo at 23 years old was far easier than it is at 41.

Aint that the friggin truth

 

[GJS]

Aint that the friggin truth

All I remember was that applying 180 ft/lbs of torque to a nut, lying on my back WAS possible. It is still apparently possible... but at what price? ...
AT WHAT PRICE?!?!?

 

[Ripinator]

Aint that the friggin truth

You guys are a buncha puzzys. Just wait until yer 70. . . or 100 years old like me.