1966 Coronet 440 field find

[gdrill]

This was what I wanted to show you guys. But it's upside down and I can not figure out how to flip it. Stupid smart phone! Anyway, this was after I gave it a quick fire to get the fuel from the tank through the line to the fuel pump and run on it's own. It took 3 starts on bottle feed gas and then she was purring from the tank! Then I stopped to add coolant and fire it to run until hot and cook the exhaust manifold paint.

 

[gdrill]

Well, I shimmed the oil pressure relief spring and it basically is the same. A little over 20psi at start up and dwindling down to nothing at run temp. I'll try some thicker oil, but I don't think it will help. Odds are bearings. But maybe I can get enough pressure to run it long enough to go down my driveway and check out the trans, brakes etc. But that won't be until next weekend for sure.

 

[Photon440]

Is that the idle pressure? What does it do when revved up?

 

[gdrill]

Yes, 20psi was at idle, cold. I revved it up to about 1500-2000 and it climbed to 30psi. I didn't do to much, I just wanted to see if it would maintain. I'm not real disappointed, as I said, I gambled on it! Oh well, that's why I don't play the slots!

 

[Photon440]

10 psi. per 1000 rpm isn't out of line.

 

[gdrill]

Thank you Photon440. I agree it is a normal range. But going to 5psi when warm has me concerned. I'm away for the week but when I get back I'll do some more playing.

 

[gdrill]

Well, I just tried the heavier / thicker oil. I put in Castrol 20W50 for my test. She fired up with 50psi cold and when the thermostat opened to circulate at operating temp, it was holding a steady 14psi. The pressure moves up nicely with rpm. But to me this does say main bearing wear. So I will continue with the car, as in bleeding brakes etc. Then I will take it for a run down the road and see how it looks. I'm thinking it should be OK.

 

[moparnation74]

I wouldn't be concerned.......Run the piss out of it....

 

[1967coronet440]

I wouldn't be concerned.......Run the piss out of it....

Well, I just tried the heavier / thicker oil. I put in Castrol 20W50 for my test. She fired up with 50psi cold and when the thermostat opened to circulate at operating temp, it was holding a steady 14psi. The pressure moves up nicely with rpm. But to me this does say main bearing wear. So I will continue with the car, as in bleeding brakes etc. Then I will take it for a run down the road and see how it looks. I'm thinking it should be OK.

Like moparnation said, I wouldn’t be concerned. My last 440 ran about 15psi at idle and moved up with rpm’s. Although I didn’t like it at 15 when I was stopped at a light I would throw it in neutral and it would bump up to about 20 at idle. My motor ran great.

 

[gdrill]

Thanx guys. Ya, I agree, I'm going to run it. If for some reason it shuts down, it'll give me an excuse to cam it. Or replace it with the 440!

 

[gdrill]

Guess what drove it outside under it's own power this morning! This car has been off the road since 1978. It went to sleep with a toasted slant 6 and awoke with a 383! It has officially been resurrected. Now it just needs the rest of it's pieces put back on.

 

[1967coronet440]

Congrats brother

 

[moparnation74]

Ohhh what a feeling it is....congrats...

 

[1967coronet440]

Jealous as f***

 

[gdrill]

The B's are out of the hive together today!

They are now known as the B's brothers!

 

[gdrill]

I decided to commit to the vinyl. By that I mean I cleaned the sealer out of the drip rails. What a messy job! But I masked the windows off so the flying debris wouldn't get in the car. Then I used a wire wheel on a 1/4" air die grinder. The rails were fairly clean, but there was ever so slight of surface rust below the sealer. Anyway it's clean now. I'll give it a shot of primer on the bare steel and let it sit for a few days to allow it to cure.

 

[440jimr]

I believe you are making a good choice to replace the vinyl top. They look good on the 66-67 body style.

 

[gdrill]

I got some used door panels from member @elephantengine. I have acquired many parts from him for this car! They just needed a little coat of SEM and they look great. I have been delayed on the vinyl top due to life, but I may be able to tackle it tomorrow.

 

[PeteBell68]

Looking great you've done done really nice work on this car ..

 

[gdrill]

Thank you very much. Appreciate that.