GEARMAN69

After dropping off my previous project Lemans to the new owner I got my trailer out of the driveway and got ole yella upgrade to driveway and a long need bath and rubbing off some of the old paint. Still have not painted wheels but they are primed at least . Looking forward to getting engine together in a month or two

GEARMAN69

Finally liberated the Rallye from the 68 350 block laying in it. #6 Heads are still at porting guy, block still getting finished up at shop. Glad to have made a visit to the OCA Nationals last week. Got to meet Davebw31 and another forum member and picked up a swell 70 AM radio radio for car but might go in the wagon first. Unbelievable number of amazing quality cars at show.. Just WOW ! My buddy Matt was working hIs RediRad product in the registration tent. Looking to get engine out of wagon soon too.

GEARMAN69

So I will be getting back to the 350 build real soon. The wagon kinda stepped in front of that. Should begin assembly shortly.

Also on a different note , I did some more Googling of the previous owner of my 4 speed Rallye who was in Arizona now and finally got a good phone number and spoke to his son and will be calling back tonight when the guy is home! YEAH ! The original block that was stolen by mechanic shop apparently put it in one of their own race cars and blew it up at Hallsville is what his son said. It may have been the mid 80's since it ran so I think I am close on my estimate.

GEARMAN69

Thought I would finally update this thread. I dropped of my wheels to friend to paint finally considering I have had the new tires since January 2009 LOL. I did finally get car in the garage a few weeks ago too. Last weekend I scored a rust free and dent free Driver Side correct 70 front fender for $100 to replace the incorrect 71-72 style one that came with car. Also scored a rust free 70 radiator support for $50 and very good straight 70 front bumper for $100 The bumper may go on my wagon though. About to remove front clip on car and also assemble engine soon. I should have done that already but oh well. New brakes and shocks go on soon as well. The car will just get washed up leaving frame on and repainted only is the plan. Upgrade interior and window seals after paint and it is driving. The biggest work will be the body shell obviously. Rust repairs etc.

67442nut

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GEARMAN69

GEARMAN69

GEARMAN69

Finally got a call back from previous owner today. A lot of questions answered.

GEARMAN69

The guy I bought car from (Joe) had it about 5 years , he had bought it from original family. Basically this guy Jerry had the car from 1978 to 2009 ish , his Grandma was on the title rather than his Uncle for some reason so I guess granny bought it new in 70 likely out of Shreveport LA, she lived East from there. Jerry was first Texas title The car had that repaint in the 80's sometime. It was the early 90's when the engine was out of car at a shop followed buy a lawsuit from Jerry, the shop guy was using his engine in his dirt track car without his permission , he was supposed to be doing balancing and blueprinting of engine. Jerry had done the bigger 455 valves, cam , headers etc and other mods prior top that and said it had made a big difference. He had won the lawsuit and got car back and he did get the engine back too but it never got back together and running again. He had moved out of state prior to when the car was sold 6-7 years ago and just gave his Dad permission to sell it. His Dad, Uncle everyone has since passed away but it seems the engine and trans from this car could or should have been around where the car was but also could have been gone for a long time. I guess there is some hope it is still in Longview Texas somewhere. He had not raced it on the drag strip just the street when I asked if he had track times. it previously had Accell ignition , dual-point dizzy,headers , Crane cam, adjustable pushrods, 2.07/1.625 valves with big springs, Holley spreadbore carb, no hop bars on the rear end, some of these parts I have still. So I at least won't worry about finding the E TX dealer it came from and and just keep and eye and ear out for future chances that the VIN matching drivetrain is out there somewhere. Sent some pics to the previous owners email and will keep him periodically updated.

GEARMAN69

Finally getting rolling on front frame clip clean up. Used my grinder to knock off bolt heads to old core support to get it off. It is rusted bad on the drivers side under battery area. I have that real nice one to go in its place. Also going to start putting all the new drum brake stuff , hoses , cylinders, shoes and shocks.

GEARMAN69

Ok well worthy of a post on my endless rambling long thread... Finally , my retired painter friend called and my wheels are done , painted today ! I will pick up tonight and I guess the tires in the garage I bought 18 months ago can go on finally ! Also on a side note... today I also reached the original owner of the shot up parts car Rallye and spoke to her today as well. She had got it out of a San Antonio dealer when it was new in 70 , it was her brother that had shot it up sadly it had been in the field for a long time. She thinks she may have one of the original wheels in her barn and a old picture of the car. I will probably see her soon.

GEARMAN69

Got em picked up and ordered my new caps. He had to re-sand some and prime, 3 coats color and 3 coats of clear . Good enough for me. Motivation is high now ! The Cooper Cobras should go on Saturday.

GEARMAN69

I was very tempted to get it going as is but the surface rust just has to come off the rolling chassis and get new brake and fuel lines. Today I made the choice and pulled the frame . Also got the pistons put on the rods this week as well. The engine can go together anytime. I picked up the valve springs and some titanium 10 degree retainers and locks recently as well to get heads to together . The engine may go in the wagon first though so I can make it more of a street car while body is getting work.

GEARMAN69

Not much to report but did get tires on too recently and the new center caps came in. After I get paid next week I will see if I can afford the guy that can dustless blast my rolling chassis. Its a hydro blast with crushed glass

GEARMAN69

Just been slowly chipping away at getting the bumpers and brackets off so I can get the guy to blast the frame soon. The rusty carriage bolts have been quite a PITA. Not really enjoying that part much in this heat. I keep day dreaming during the week that I will get up early on Saturday when its cool and get the short block together and assemble the heads.

GEARMAN69

Been on back burner too long but finally finished stripping chassis. Half way thru fixing a dent in the frame under firewall area (pushed up from Jack or fork lift/wrecker) and soon finally to, be blasted and painted . Found a broke spring when stripping off front end .

tdhill01

Slow and steady, keep up the good work.

GEARMAN69

Thanks and finally back to progress. There was a significant dent on the bottom of the frame under the pass firewall to side rocker transition behind and under the hole for the body mount . Some kind of forklift or wrecker damage I think. I got some help from a friend and we straightened out with heat , hammers and welding and now ready to clean frame down paint over the next month or so. Hoping it will be painted and under car again by end of August with new SS lines