65 GTO

[Mater]

exactly my grandpa's brand new 72 camaro had horrible fit of panles. he still complain about how horrible that car was put together even today even though the car rotted a way back in the 80's when the floor collapsed

[tardis454]

Todd, how well do you think these car were put together at the factory? Don't beat yourself up.

x2, you took a rotted P.O.S. & turned it into a gem man!
Maybe Brian will make it a featured build when it's done...

[mike343sharpstick]

Todd, how well do you think these car were put together at the factory? Don't beat yourself up.

What he said

[Thumpin455]

I can still want it nicer than it is, but thanks guys. The problem with the drivers side quarter is obvious, and once you see it you cant not see it. Found some parts for the 65 I have been looking for, didnt get it running though. Its a good thing I have an entire car for small parts, because many of them are either gone or werent worth keeping. Should have the glass in it over the weekend, and maybe mount the seats before I run the hard lines.

Spent today pulling the 455 in the 70 so I could see what is causing cylinder scuffing after two minutes of run time. Looks like something got between the piston and the cylinder while it sat waiting for the cam to get here. So tomorrow I yank the rest of them, clean everything verify the ring end gaps, redeburr the rings, and stuff it back together. I need it running to test the carb for Bob.

If I get up early, fat chance since its 0245 right now, I could get both of the engines done and maybe start the 400 in the 65.

[Thumpin455]

Well one 455 runs, building another carb for it and an adapter plate to fit a 2 barrel Holley. Yay.

The 65 just got a bunch of stuff ordered for it, mostly fasteners, but some emblems too. GTO for the grill, and quarters, 6.5 Litre crests for the door panels and fenders, and all the bolts I need to put it together. Been searching for the cans that had them, no idea where they got to with the firefighters helping me with the truck last year. Cant find a damn thing.

Chris the mother in law stopped by today and she saw it for the first time since it got painted. She was very impressed, and her face lit up when she walked in the shop. Cant wait to get this thing done and let Dave take it for a drive. They got him a drum set for his birthday, he hasnt had that since he was a kid either. Chris said he is having a second childhood now, so its thrash time so he can enjoy it yet this summer.. probably when it cools off a bit, they arent used to the warm weather like I am.

[Monk]

Amazing work!

[Thumpin455]

After fighting with other stuff for nearly a month, and getting so frustrated I didnt want to look at cars, I have found some motivation. I want this thing drivable by Sept 1 this year. That is the goal so Dave can drive it after he isnt doing charters and working his tail off every day all summer.

It took me a while to figure out how the weather strip trim went back on, this is the only hardtop and my pics werent about how those parts fit. Now it has weather strip around the windows and doors, doing the trunk later. Need to find the doors glass channel, and then the hardware for it and I can put the glass in.

Also took the time to put the GTO emblems on the quarters and trunk, and finally installed the bumper after walking around and over it for a month.



Bumper needs cleaned, and actually replaced. It just isnt in the budget to replace it yet, maybe next year after Dave has driven it a while.

[Bob Holmes]

This car just sings. What a great job. Keep chipping away and it'll be done soon.

[mlcraven]

Glad to know you're feeling better. This thing has been a huge part of your life and I'm sure 1 Sep will be a big day for you.

[Mater]

wow it's starting to look like a car :D

[milner351]

NICE! Sure beats working on a Honda huh?

[Scott Liggett]

An SOS pad and a bit of Blue Magic polish will do wonders for the bumper for now.

Dont get down when you get burned out from wrenching and sanding. Just go drive one of your other cars until the urge gets you again.

[Thumpin455]

An SOS pad and a bit of Blue Magic polish will do wonders for the bumper for now.

Dont get down when you get burned out from wrenching and sanding. Just go drive one of your other cars until the urge gets you again.

Been trying to get one of the other old cars legal again. I have the 72 Formula running good, but it still has issues. The GTO has a few more issues and I need to fix the TV cable. So all I have to drive is the 98 Formula, and it just isnt the same as an old ride. The 65 is coming along good though, cant wait to see it move on its own. I wonder how many years it has been non running.

[Thumpin455]

Drivers side glass is in, needs the chrome strip for the weather stripping between them, but its in there. I am missing three parts for the passenger side, so while the glass is in, it isnt aligned and capable of being rolled up and down.



The door panels dont look too bad. They say LeMans and have some dirty spots that wont come clean, but they will work for now.



My friend that has the nicest 69 Judge I have ever seen needed a flywheel for his 65 GTO. I had one with the 10.5" clutch pattern, so I gave it to him. All of my clutches are 11" so I didnt need it. He traded me the GTO dash plaque and a few other bits for the flywheel, this piece if VERY nice. He has a hood I am trying to get him to sell, gotta see how that turns out. It really makes the dash much better than the LeMans plaque I had in there before. Those things are like $80 a pop and this one is original 65 GTO. Stuck the radio in there too, it will probably get an aftermarket stereo in the glove box that plays oldies.





YAY BRAKES! The hubs need scuffed and more grease put in there before they are ready. The line for the rear brakes needs installed then get it all connected right and secured, but they are on there. Also pulling the rear end from the LeMans, dont know if its a posi or not yet, doesnt matter since Dave isnt going to be racing. The fuel line is bent up and ready to go in, just need to get under there and do it with the brake line. Once that is done, and the exhaust manifolds are pulled from the LeMans and installed on here, I can put the front sheet metal back on. Cant wait....

[Huskinhano]

Looking good Todd! I would imagine you're hitting that wall right about now where every little thing seems to take for ever after all the big sections you've completed. Of course you know once you're done, there's the gratuitous burn out