65 GTO

[Thumpin455]

Hey Bro. sounds great! But, shouldn't you take it easy on the new engine?

Its far from new. The heads were on the 70's 455 for years. The bottom end has been in the blue Formula, the 70 GTO, a 71 Formula I have stashed at the farm, and my 76 C10. Its been around and has about 5k on it. Runs freakin great. Its a .040 over forged piston 400, Charlie did the machine work so it will live. Besides, it wasnt even going over 4500 there, and I am still breaking in the cam and plugging leaks.

Burnout is coming, with a different set of tires though. It should be able to spin the 2.56 gears pretty easy. Its a cruiser so it has manifolds instead of headers, but its still healthy. Not sure if I will drive this one or not, since it was built for Dave. With all the stuff going on though, it might not be a good idea to give it to him right now. Makes me sad, but he will get to drive it for sure sometime this summer, I just have issues with it being down there at his place now.

As for me having fun, the 70 GTO is legal now, the Innovative wideband O2 is here, just waiting for me to install it, and I have a new 3" exhaust system for it. The 70 is MY car, so it will get driven by me. I wanted to go do cruises and shows with Dave, him driving the 65 and me in the 70, but it doesnt look like that will pan out.

[mrocketscience]

Sounds a lot better than my Pontiac did on first fire up! Cool deal.

[Thumpin455]

It has run before, and all the parts are in good shape so it should run good. Need tuning, but that can wait. Eventually I will get it all working and running good, after the cam is broken in.

[Thumpin455]

Walt came by and shot some video after bleeding the brakes with me. Here it is, being driven for the first time in who knows how long.

[yellomalibu]

Motor sounds good, starter sounds a little in need of a shim or two.

Awesome, by the way! Congrats on it's reincarnated maiden voyage!

[STINEY]

Pure mechanical music. Nice work and congratulations.

[Deaf Bob]

You can be proud!
I am..

[Thumpin455]

Thanks guys, it does make me feel good to have it moving and near finished.

[milkovich]

Man, that sounds GOOD. I'll be in the garage this weekend dreaming about that sound coming from my T/A.

[milner351]

FANTASTIC!

what an incredible journey you've taken that car through - Todd - the car whisperer!

[cantvalve16]

You know a guy is up to some automotive mayhem when he has TWO engine hoists hangin' around. (see video for reference)

[TheSilverBuick]

Nice!

[Thumpin455]

You know a guy is up to some automotive mayhem when he has TWO engine hoists hangin' around. (see video for reference)

I use them both when I flip my trailer to work on it, and also to pull car bodies off frames. I fixed my trailer a couple weeks ago, and I havent put them away yet. Makes more room in the shop, but really I should put the good one in the big shed for a while.

[Thumpin455]

Dave is pretty broken up about events of this summer, he is trying really hard to keep me here. He doesnt want me to go. That makes me nervous, because he has been suffering from congestive heart failure since 2009 when I started work on this car. He knows I take care of his daughter, that she cant on her own, and her new kidiot cant do it either. Anyway, if he is worried this much, then I am too. His car is going to get done, drivable, and finished this week. No matter what it takes, Dave is going to be able to cruise his GTO this summer.

Things it needs. Alignment, I can get it close but I want it done right. The wiring needs finished so everything works. Exhaust needs put under it, and there is a 2.5" Pypes system sitting with mufflers. The passenger seat needs installed. The windshield needs replaced, the bumpers need the right bolts, and more grease added to the front hubs. Then I need to figure out a carb, want to build another Qjet for it, but it might get a Holley or one of the new Demon carbs that looks like an old AFB.

I really hope he is ok, I know the stress is getting to him. The guy really cares about me, so he needs to drive this car this year.

[DanStokes]

Todd, you're a good guy and a good friend - wherever that friend may have come from. I'm sorry Dave's daughter lost her mind but neither you nor Dave are responsible for that. I know you'll get the GTO done for him and I'll bet big money that he feels your love as expressed in the '65.

Carry on!

Dan