1966 coronet 2dr sedan general overhauling

[Thedeputy]

I finally found some time to make a post about the general overhauling of my 1966 dodge coronet 2dr sedan. It's got a 440 four speed. Cosmetic it needs little work so I'll leave that in peace. Most off the drivetrain needs some attention and that's how I like it.
In time I will upload the progress.

Enjoy

 

[Thedeputy]

 

[Thedeputy]

The first order of business was rebuilding the front end with all new bushings and ball joints and reinforce the lower control arms.

 

[mmissile]

Very cool. Get some discs on that car.

 

[Thedeputy]

I made templates out of carbboard and traced it onto a metal strip.

 

[Thedeputy]

I plan to install discs later on. I had to get it approved for dutch registration and had no time left. For now I'm keeping the 10" drums.

 

[Thedeputy]

The brackets were then welded to the LCA's.

 

[Thedeputy]

New bushings installed.

 

[Thedeputy]

Some paint to preserve it from future rust issues.

 

[Thedeputy]

The strut rods were also painted and installed with PU bushings. Because the inner bushing is too thick I sliced a quarter inch away to correct that.

 

[Thedeputy]

After I assembled it I turned my attention to the engine to get ut running properly. The timing was way off because the timing mark on the balancer did not correspond with nr. 1 TDC. When that was corrected I found timing was difficult to set since the distributor was sloppy and fitted with a non-fitting aftermarket electronic ignition kit. I found a well used original one and overhauled it.

 

[Thedeputy]

 

[Thedeputy]

When that was finished it finally responded well but now the temperature would stay low at around 160 degrees.
A quick look in the thermostat housing explained why.
Apparantly the problem with the wrong basic ignition timing lead to a hot running engine which was corrected by removing the thermostat. Nice job.
A new thermostat was now an easy answer.

 

[Thedeputy]

When driving the car resonated pretty bad. A quick look at the exhaust explained that issue fast. Another exhaust strap cured it fast.

 

[Thedeputy]

To protect the body against rust I filled up the rockers and other cavities with a liquid called RX5. It converts rust into a solid surface and prevents the metal from rusting anymore. Or so the label says. I removed the door panelsand found the inside to be pristine. You can even see the markings from the dip bath 50 years ago. I also found a cool sticker on the inside. Could this be a real vintage '66 sticker?

 

[Thedeputy]

I didn't like the look of the aftermarket Hurst shifter that was installed. Since it's impossible to find the correct inland shifter overhere I decided to make my own. This is what was installed when I got it and another pic from the web from an original 66 inland shifter.

 

[Thedeputy]

The process of creating the shifter.

Sadly I couldn't find an original Inland shift knob but this one is pretty close.
I used a adjustment bolt from a Cordoba LCA to moun the knob. This was welded into the stainless steel tubing.

 

[Thedeputy]

The finished result.

 

[Thedeputy]

All this has taken me about 6 months. I'm now working on correcting the stance of the car. In my opinion it was too low in the rear. The first pic is the current state and the second is how I want it, which is about 1,5" higher.

 

[Thedeputy]

The springs now installed are 5 leaf. I found a pair of original 6 leaf "hemi" springs which I will rework to give the desired stance.