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66 Coronet Convertible

Daytrepper

FBBO Gold Member
FBBO Gold Member
Local time
8:47 AM
Joined
Oct 30, 2021
Messages
218
Reaction score
166
Location
Raleigh, NC
Hi all, brought this 66 Coronet convertible home last week. 440/4 speed (not original); Body is in great shape, a couple soft spots in the drivers floor; other than that she needs alot of misc things---oil leaks fixed, steering gear, engine upgrades, some interior and trim pieces etc; I'll be pulling the engine/trans and going thru both this winter. Looking forward to checking out the forums here and diving into this build!
first day.jpg
 
Hi all, brought this 66 Coronet convertible home last week. 440/4 speed (not original); Body is in great shape, a couple soft spots in the drivers floor; other than that she needs alot of misc things---oil leaks fixed, steering gear, engine upgrades, some interior and trim pieces etc; I'll be pulling the engine/trans and going thru both this winter. Looking forward to checking out the forums here and diving into this build!
View attachment 1188778
Working on a 66 convert as well. Good luck with the build.
 
Welcome! We would sure like pics of your teardown, I know I could use some I've got 2 of these lol
 
Nice.

I likes me some 66/67's.
 
Nice car, seems like there were a lot of red convertibles built. I have a blue one myseff -

net.jpg
 
Welcome! We would sure like pics of your teardown, I know I could use some I've got 2 of these lol

Pics to come. Weekend of Dec 4th is the planned tear it all to pieces date.

I'm hoping to find some pics here as well so I know what's missing, and how certain original things "should be"...lol.
 
Got the project off the ground today. Engine is out! Trans to follow shortly.

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Got the 440 tore all to pieces today.

Definitely hasnt been touched in years. Every gasket was leaking, lol. Only evidence of anyone being in it is number stamps on the connecting rods and welds on the crank to balance it. That is good; someone balanced it. Not sure if this was factory or not.

Going to send it to the machine shop for a deep clean, bore, new cam bearings, and a balance--and whatever else it might need once they get everything measured up.

Calculated compression ratio at 7.65:1; that suggests a truck/RV engine, not a C-body engine as originally thought. Its definitely a 71 block going by the casting numbers. It had the emissions heads on it.

No worries, parts have already arrived to handle that. Once built, it will be around 10.5:1.

Yanked the transmission as well. Its in good shape, just needs a good cleaning and some new gaskets/seals. Found rear end to be a 69+ "489" 8 3/4; looks to be a 2.76 ratio. Going to tear that apart, new bearings/seals, and go back with probably a 3.55 ratio.

20211218_200852.jpg
 
Got the 440 tore all to pieces today.

Definitely hasnt been touched in years. Every gasket was leaking, lol. Only evidence of anyone being in it is number stamps on the connecting rods and welds on the crank to balance it. That is good; someone balanced it. Not sure if this was factory or not.

Going to send it to the machine shop for a deep clean, bore, new cam bearings, and a balance--and whatever else it might need once they get everything measured up.

Calculated compression ratio at 7.65:1; that suggests a truck/RV engine, not a C-body engine as originally thought. Its definitely a 71 block going by the casting numbers. It had the emissions heads on it.

No worries, parts have already arrived to handle that. Once built, it will be around 10.5:1.

Yanked the transmission as well. Its in good shape, just needs a good cleaning and some new gaskets/seals. Found rear end to be a 69+ "489" 8 3/4; looks to be a 2.76 ratio. Going to tear that apart, new bearings/seals, and go back with probably a 3.55 ratio.

View attachment 1209764
That 2.76 might not be a bad ratio depending on your plans for the car. Mine had a 2.91 and I swapped it for a 3.55. With the torque I have there was no need for the change and it lights up the tires with ease. If you are not racing the 2.76 will would be nice for cruising.
 
That 2.76 might not be a bad ratio depending on your plans for the car. Mine had a 2.91 and I swapped it for a 3.55. With the torque I have there was no need for the change and it lights up the tires with ease. If you are not racing the 2.76 will would be nice for cruising.

Thanks! That answered my main question...this ratio is a first for me. Not planning to race. Just want the car to be a bit wicked on the street, and be able to cruise at the same time.

I can always change it out later if I dont like the 2.76.
 
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