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Barn Find Valiant
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Author:  rustyfords [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Barn Find Valiant
I posted an intro a few days back and appreciate the warm welcome.

About a week ago I spotted what looked like a great deal on Craiglist and just couldn't pass it up. I've wanted a slant six car for some time and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

The challenge with the car is that it hasn't run in many years. However, this kept it confined to a garage for more than 20 years and this also brought the sale price down to a few hundred dollars.

I'll use this thread to post some photos and track my progress in getting the old girl running again.

I'd appreciate any help that you slant six pros can offer.

Below are a couple of photos from this afternoon when I got home with the car.

Image

Image
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Beauty, eh! Looks like a really clean original base-model final-year Valiant. Congratulations on a terrific score!

What kind of help would…help?
Author:  DusterIdiot [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:12 pm ]
Post subject:  1976...
Nice find for a 1976...

Get a set of factory manuals (they are cheap since 1976 is a "one year only" refinement of the final A-body year), they are worth the $20 you can pick them up for.

It should serve you very well, I'd bet if you did a tune up and changed the fluids and filters, it'd smoke for a short time, then spring back to life.

There aren't too many improvements you can make to the 76, other than some timing and ignition adjustments, so your should be good to go for mileage and driveability.

-D.Idiot
Author:  rustyfords [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
To elaborate on the challenge aspect of this car....

It's a west Texas car that originally belonged to an old guy who passed on when the car was still relatively new. Later, the old guy's son lets someone else drive it and during the loan out period, it quits running.

Enter, stage right, the guy I bought it from. He bought if from the original owner's son, and is not a mechanic by any stretch. For whatever reason, he removed the carb (and lost it) and removed the valve cover (which is laying, loose in the engine bay). He says the engine is locked up, but I honestly don't know if it is or not.

That's where she stands now. I'll do a thorough diagnosis tomorrow.

I figure, worst case scenario is that the slant is toast and I have to pull it and rebuild it. If so, I'll try to find another 225 to transplant temporarily just to get it running. For $300, I couldn't pass it up.

Here's some more eye candy...believe it or not...the original window sticker.

Image
Author:  rustyfords [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
What kind of help would…help?
Dan...I'll know better after giving her a good once-over tomorrow, but in the short term, I know I'll need a carburetor.

Any advice on where to get a rebuilt one?....or a core that I can rebuild?
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
"Rebuilt" or "remanufactured" carburetors are almost always junk; see this thread. I have been selling off a collection of new slant-6 carburetors for awhile and am down to the last few, but I think I have one correct for your '76. Send me a PM if you are interested.

It seems to me your first question's the right one: Will the engine turn over or won't it. Sounds like the previous owners weren't necessarily qualified to determine it was "locked up". :roll:

You'll want a factory service manual.

(A/C and power steer, cool! Whotta score! :shock: )
Author:  rustyfords [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Dan...check your PM's.

I'm ordering the FSM you recommended now.

If I can't spin it tomorrow, I'll remove the plugs and hit it with Marvel Mystery Oil for a day or two and give it another try.
Author:  Reed [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well, at least now you know the name of your Valiant- "The Clincher"! Good score, keep us posted.
Author:  rustyfords [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
The Valiant continues to surprise me.

I gave her a good wash today and she shined right up...other than a few nicks in the paint, it looks almost new.

Pulled the plugs and squirted a healthy amount of marvel mystery oil in the cylinders. Tomorrow I'll see if I can rotate the crank.

Image
Author:  6shotvanner [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
SuWeet find :)
Just a heads up since it's been sitting for awhile,if you can get it to turn over you might expect some stuck valves/bent pushrods.Might want to start soaking the valves with some PB Blaster just in case,the least it will do is not hurt and it might help a whole bunch.Man if I had that car and you had a feather in your nose we'd both be tickeled :)
Author:  slantvaliant [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
I noticed the Fenner Tubbs Co. on the paperwork. FYI, Fenner Tubbs ran a Chrysler/Plymouth dealership in Lubbock and did some racing on the side.

Fenner Tubbs A/FX
Author:  hantayo13 [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
after you pb blaster the valves smak them with a hammer to make they move......good score
Author:  Tim Keith [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
If a slant six does not have a whole in the side of the block you can probably get it going again :)
Author:  rustyfords [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
I noticed the Fenner Tubbs Co. on the paperwork. FYI, Fenner Tubbs ran a Chrysler/Plymouth dealership in Lubbock and did some racing on the side.
Cool...didn't know that about Fenner Tubbs.

That makes the dealer badge on the rear that much neater.

Image

Thanks for the valve advice. I'll hit them with the PB tomorrow morning.

The car obviously had a leaky valve cover gasket because there's oil all over the side of the block and on the manifolds, however I did some exploratory degreasing today and found shiny paint under that grime on the valve cover and on the block....so it may be a blessing in disguise.

The paint in the engine bay is dirty, but very well preserved and can be made to look pretty new as well. All the factory stickers are even still there in good shape.
Author:  rustyfords [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 10:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Fenner Tubbs must've be a great guy from the sound of this obituary.

http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/11 ... 7051.shtml
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