1967 Coronet Deluxe

[kb67mopar]

I got a little more done but not much. I cleaned up some wiring, bled my clutch some more (which I am not done yet) and installed my starter push button since the key switch wouldn't turn over the car. (something to do with internal circuits). I also used a brake bleeder kit to figure out all of my brake thread sizes for getting all of my fittings. I hope this upcoming weekend to get the brake lines in the car and bled so i can maybe make short trips .

 

[Ron 73]

Good luck this weekend getting it ready, A short run probably will turn into a long run for the fun! You have a lot to be proud of with this build!!

 

[kb67mopar]

Good luck this weekend getting it ready, A short run probably will turn into a long run for the fun! You have a lot to be proud of with this build!!

Thanks but with no lights, hood, bumpers....I think I have to keep it short.

 

[kb67mopar]

Well I made some more progress. I found that my clutch was not fully disengaging and after lots of diagnosis found there must be a difference in the length of the actuator rods on the slave between the Ram 2500 clutch and the Dakota clutch. So after about 4-5 iteration in rod length I finally got it right. I added an extra 1.2" to the rod to get full disengagement of the clutch but now that thing feels perfect. Once I got that done since my brake line fittings aren't here yet I started tearing apart the front suspension. Hopefully tomorrow I can sandblast the suspension parts and prep for putting in the new bushings.

The goal for this weekend is pretty lofty...brake lines, new oil pan and pick up, and rebuild the suspension. Anybody want to come thrash!?

 

[Sprag]

Wow, glad to hear you got the clutch worked out, that would have drove mad!

I'd love to get over there for a thrash session but I'm booked for the next two weekends, we'll have to work something out. If nothing else, it would be a great reason for a longer drive in my ride and I'd love to check out your progress.

 

[kb67mopar]

Thanks for the offer Mike.

So I got some done but not as much as I would have liked. But still not bad. Brake lines are done minus a couple brackets and clamps to hold things in place in a few places. The passenger side suspension has been sandblasted and then painted. I need to have somebody press the new bushings in and start the drivers side.

I also added some strength to the upper A arms since they looked a little rough.

 

[kb67mopar]

Well I made a ton of progress but managed to get myself stopped in my tracks again. First, the progress. The suspension is all back on the car minus the tie rods, center connecting rod and torsion bars. For the first time, with new brakes and brake lines. I also painted the front end of the car and wheel well area. All of the suspension bushings and joints are new and replaced some BADLY worn bushings. (to any of you just driving one of these without doing this...bad idea, I thought these were in good shape)

Now on to the problems. With the new oil pan on (yeah I got that done too) I have tons more ground clearance and no leaks! However its a touch taller in the rear and doesn't clear with the steering arm. I am not cutting apart my new pan so here goes my potential solution. Since it appears to be cast steel, I am going to weld a 1" bar to the bottom of the steering rod all along the center section and then clearance the top side to clear the pan by 1/8". I suspect I'll have to remove around 3/8" from the top of the rod. With all of the extra steel welded on it should be stronger then original still and then clear with no trouble.

 

[kb67mopar]

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade....or at least do a bunch of welding, cutting and grinding

 

[Propwash]

Good work! A guys gotta do what a guys gotta do. Judging from the pic's I would imagine that modified center link is going to work out pretty slick for you. Progress is looking great!

 

[Ron 73]

Its always refreshing to see what you are up to! I don't think there is thing one that could stop you from making it work right, you do have some great skills in what you do! Good luck and i hope you get to go on that long cruise soon!!

 

[747mopar]

Great progress, should be a real fun cruiser when it's done. I know what your saying about the suspension "it's a wonder some of these old cars are even drivable". Center link looks pretty solid along with the rest. Looking good

 

[kb67mopar]

Thank you for the comments folks. That center link is not going anywhere...gave my knee a sunburn welding that thing up. (forgot about the hole in the pants). I am just waiting on my new inner tie rod ends (apparently the pst kit doesn't include the inners or adjusting sleeves, wish I had noticed). Once I get those I can button up the front suspension and move onto exhaust. I am going to run the manifolds probably for the rest of this year and dabble in header building sometime next year (probably after its painted). Waiting on a buddy to come help bleed the brakes and then I should be able to take it for a spin around the parking lot next door and actually drive it.

With any luck in the next couple weeks i hope to get some work done to the front pass fender and door, rebuild the door hinges and attempt to get the inner fender stuff all painted up and any places that need painted blue done. Then I can put the grille and lights back in and finish up my wiring to them. But baby #2 is fast approaching and when that happens all progress will come to an abrupt halt for a bit. But my 2.5 yr old son did provide me with some extra motivation yesterday. We were headed out to get some dinner and I asked him which car do you want to take he said "that one" and pointed toward the Coronet under the cover.....oh how I hated to disappoint.

 

[747mopar]

You just wait, it only gets better. Mine are 5 and 7 and the 7 yr old girl "daddies girl" showed interest at 3yrs old and has only gottan more into it, she's already claiming my Charger and Torino, she points out all the cool cars as we pass, goes to all the shows and is always sticking up for me with my wife "man do I love it". Her and I have a real bond and do everything together as for my boy "he's a mommies boy" but I'm working on it. Enjoy it

 

[kb67mopar]

Well I got the brakes bled and the throttle pedal position sensor mounted. The battery tray is back in and I am going to put the torsion bars back in maybe tonight. I went to the salvage yard and picked up the two exhaust parts I needed to make turn downs. I wanted to do this part myself before bringing it to the exhaust shop. I will have them build the final system but the pieces I made will become sacrificial when I make my headers.

 

[kb67mopar]

[video=youtube;WkpAD74HuGE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkpAD74HuGE[/video]

 

[Ron 73]

Sweet man! I bet your still smiling Glad to hear your getting her where you want... Enjoy!

 

[Gpuller]

Good to see it moving under its own power. Is it everything you thought it would be?

 

[kb67mopar]

Good to see it moving under its own power. Is it everything you thought it would be?

About 150% of my expectation. Its very smooth, runs incredible and I can tell its going to be quick. With the engine being light the steering is super easy even without power. The brakes are down right fantastic and for not having it aligned and no shocks its pretty decent riding. So far extremely impressed and about as motivated by that drive as you can be...

 

[Gpuller]

Cool, glad its all working out for you!

 

[roadrunnerman]

sounds pretty cool. Just hearing it run, it sounds like it has power to spare.