New Project Car - '66 Belvedere

[MidWestMopar]

Hello all, acquired this new project about a week ago. Hasn't been on the road in 25+ years(tires are very old) so it needs many things to get it back road worthy again. The pictures probably make it look better than it is, I'm told the re-paint and body work was done in the late 80s or early 90s, but I have no idea. Lots of chips, imperfections, body filler is cracking and pulling away in the rear quarter panels. Interior seems to be original and all fairly nice except for the carpet. 84,000 on the Odometer. Automatic, PS, AC.

I purchased this car without seeing it in person and was under the impression is was a poly 318 car, only to get it home to find what I assume is a 273 under the hood. The "D" In the VIN seems to point to a 273 from the factory, hood ornament says 318 but that could be a replacement at some point? Casting number on the block maps to a 66-69 273 or 67-69 318..... to the experts out there are there other things I can look for to see if this might be the original engine?

 

[watermelon]

no project there. wash and drive it as is




watermelon

 

[JB400]

Looks like a good cruiser.

 

[Car Nut]

Looks good, congratulations!

 

[Bill Monk]

Sweet, looks like you have a sound start!

 

[HALIFAXHOPS]

Nice I love it!

 

[Don Frelier]

Looks nice. I like the trim on those.
I would suggest upgrading to a 67+ dual master cylinder, along with fluids and hoses.

 

[dave dodge]

That's a real gem. Congratulations

 

[YY1]

...and keep close watch on that gas cap.

High theft item.

 

[Don Frelier]

Looks like a 273 so it's an LA engine. Depends on what you want to do with the car but since the car is pretty much all original you might want to consider keeping it factory stock. (everything but the master cylinder...) Either way keep anything original to the car.

 

[patrick66]

You have a 273. The '66 cars were the last of the "A" Poly 318. Also, the '66 FSM for both Dodge and Plymouth are incorrect in the engine callout for the VIN. Your VIN says "D", its a 273. "E" is 318, "F" is 361. The FSM is incorrect, as is your good ornament.

 

[MidWestMopar]

Thanks for the info, I have no reason to believe yet that the engine was swapped, was just a question in my mind if someone swapped in a LA 318 in there at some point in it's life.
Needs a Gas tank, carb rebuild, normal tune up stuff for a car that's been sitting a long time, probably convert it to electronic ignition and see how she runs for a while. At some point i might get a wild hair and do a big block swap, but not planning to do anything that can't be undone back to stock if I want.

 

[66Satellite47]

Electronic ignition is a really good idea. Much better than points. Be sure to make the control box ground be really good.

 

[747mopar]

Very sharp looking ride, I love it!

 

[Don Frelier]

Are you missing the "O" on the hood?
I might have one.

 

[patrick66]

Years ago, I had a '66 Satellite that was a 273 car, but had a 383 hood callout. Some goof at the factory with the hood ornamnt, because I knew the original owner. Neat "goof".

 

[MidWestMopar]

Are you missing the "O" on the hood?
I might have one.

The "O" is there it's just lost most of the chrome on the inlay of the letter.
I do need Plymouth symbol emblem for the passenger side rear quarter that goes on the circle medallion.

 

[66Satellite47]

IMHO a 440 or larger would be lots more fun. You have a great piece of equipment so do what you think is best.

 

[MidWestMopar]

Quick Update.... have replaced Tank, shocks all the way around, installed aftermarket front sway bar, converted to electronic ignition, rebuilt carb, plugs, wires.....and now wheels just came in yesterday. From the comments on here I seen on 66/67 B-Bodies and my own measuring I thought 5" backspacing would be about perfect on a 8" rim on the rear. I ordered some custom wheels...put them on yesterday and wasn't too happy ....it might work out just going to be tight. After test fitting I wish i would have went with 5.5" backspacing. Then I checked the passenger side and it's about 3/4" different from rim to wheel well vs drivers side which actually makes the passenger side pretty good. I also need to get new wheel studs to get rid of the left handed threads as I guess no one makes the right lug nuts for these wheels in LH thread. You can see below the drivers side is going to be really tight. I ordered tires last night, if it comes down to it maybe i can shift the axle over slightly? Or are there any other tips?

 

[Cranky]

The engine numbers are on the driver's side front on the block just below the head right below the parting line where the head fits on. They are usually faint but are there. Yes, it's an LA engine and not a Poly and a 273 isn't really all that bad of an engine. Some like the Poly but I'm not one of them. Imo, they cost to much to upgrade verses the LA engines. And yes, guard that gas cap! They are not cheap to replace and it was that way back when they were new. My first car in 69 was a Belvedere II and I've had a Belvedere I for the last 30 years. Looks good to me. On the wheel fit, bodies can sometimes be different side to side and that's nothing new. Years ago I made a pair of 8" rallye wheels for a 71 Cuda and decided to make sure the offset was right for both sides before welding the centers in....and they were different. The car had never been wrecked either.