firstly, i haven't owned a classic for 22 years, my first car was sold to me by my mom and it was a 1949 plymouth special deluxe. i drove it to houston from northern california with no brakes (metal on metal, ooooh yeah i can double clutch!) and no generator brushes, so i am pretty sure i can handle just about anything. it was with great joy that i finally decided to commit to buying another classic, after years of driving 'throw-away' cars off craigslist. my logic? i want to drive into sunset of the automotive apocalypse in something i will take a great deal of pride in.
after losing a $400 investment in a 65 rambler (best 400 i may have ever lost), and having that mechanic blow the clutch job in my 92 subaru, i decided, no more pipe dreams. let's do this. saw the valiant on craigslist for $1,000, test drove, and fell in love with this sweet car.
1967 plymouth valiant four-door auto trans, this is what i am starting with:
body bondo'ed and repainted light green.
passenger side windshield pretty cracked up.
oregon plates on front, washington plates on back. plus: registered till january.
engine: GOOD! probably needs everything under the sun adjusted, valves, etc. replaced intake manifold gasket & valve cover gasket yesterday. did not stop the stalling, but, at least i won't blow a valve. desperately needs a tune-up.
trans: GOOD!
looks to have a new alternator, however, after doing the gaskets yesterday, went out this morning to a dead battery. oops! never happened before. started up after some lovin' from the sun. took it to auto zone for free battery check, was told 'bad battery,' had him run a check on alternator, was told, 'bad regulator.' wtf, if that is the case, how on god's black asphalt did i go from a dead battery, to start up with a sun charge, to 66% battery in the two miles it took me to get from my house to AZ? if it's the regulator, how is it that my battery was fine yesterday, and dead in the morning (obviously i was not driving it).
tail pipe too long, bangs on the back end. reminds me of our old neighbor who loved these things, raised goats, and had his tail pipe bailing wired up on all his valiants.
immediate needs:
tune up
carb
master cylinder, brakes
motor mounts (afraid to drive! how worried should i be, and when?) -OR- help me out here- do i need motor BRACKETS?
accelerator pump?
check timing chain for stretch & wear, timing
check cam gear (some fine day)
condenser?
crankcase cleaning/replace?
shocks, struts, etc. don't want to throw anything.
wiring
regulator?
gas tank
interior rebuild
music....speakers, have stereo, probably put it in glovebox & have a discreet lock on it. ideas?
horn wiring bonkers...new steering wheel.
PLEASE feel welcome to advise & point me to helpful links, first book i plan to buy is the owner's manual. i am taking this one step at a time, so the big picture looks grim but i don't feel it is. i'm just LOVING this car, and ready to do what is needed to get her under me arse & rollin'.
i understand there are three books i must must have, but seriously, i cannot afford the books, i've got to get this car safe & running well because i have a kid to shuttle to school and back each day. one fine day, i will have the books, but for now i am going to have to settle for finding the owner's manual.
thanks for listening, i realize this is long, but i am very excited & on a huge learning curve.
referred to this forum by:
Wildcat Auto Wrecking: Specializing in Pre 1980 Chrysler Plymouth ...
www.wildcatmopars.com
46827 Southeast Wildcat Mountain Drive
Sandy, OR 97055-8657
(503) 668-7786
thanks guys! super helpful.