69 Ragtop

Love that tan top with the red. You'll be on the road soon!

Double D Farms

Well, we've been busy the last few weeks working on the car. The main SNAFU has been the brake distributor. After sending the original to California to be rebuilt (it leaked worse when it came back) then getting the wrong "just right" aftermarket, we finally got an aftermarket that works. I had to bend new lines & had some flaring issues but after a trip to the muffler shop the old girl is actually road worthy & we've taken a couple of shake down cruises! There's still a lot to do, but after a year & a half of frustrations & set backs, it's nice to get it on the road! Thanks to you guys for all the tech help, parts & moral support. I'll be posting some pics in the next couple of days.

costpenn

Yes, more pictures please. I too really like the Red with the Tan top color combo.

Double D Farms

Here are some pics. I haven't been taking many, since I'm working my butt off trying to get it ready for nationals. Still need to get a/c working, door panels on & under hood work.
7-16-20141.jpg7-16-20142.jpg7-16-20143.jpg7-16-20144.jpg7-16-20145.jpg

Double D Farms

We have been taking a few shakedown cruises. A total of about 150 miles. Some small leaks, one from the distributor, one from the power steering pump. We were going to do a 100 mile drive today ( 83 degrees & low humidity in S. Indiana in July!). But, of course I got called into work. Oh, well, have to pay for this thing somehow!

Cman7713

Glad to see the finished product came out beautiful. I would be proud to drive that vert around town.

Double D Farms

Thanks, Cman. After all of the setbacks & frustrations we weren't sure that we would ever get it to this point. I'm broke, but it's on the road!

Sampson

Absolutely gorgeous! Your perseverance has really paid off for a truly exceptional looking car. I hope you have many years of enjoyment to offset all those frustrations.

Double D Farms

The healing has begun! The weather today was beautiful, so we took a 100 mile shake down cruise through Indiana & Kentucky. Got a lot of looks & great feedback from folks. Sometimes it was hard to change lanes or get away from a stop sign because the people next to us were complimenting the car. Finally, a good problem to have! The only hiccup is a small oil leak at the back of the intake. At first I was afraid it was the intake but now I'm pretty sure it's just the O ring on the distributor. It drove out nice in traffic & on the interstate. Water temp 170 degrees, 50+ lbs oil pressure & 13.9 volts. I'll try to post some pics of the engine this weekend.

69 Ragtop

GREAT looking car! Sounds like it's all good, but I doubt the oil leak is from the distributor... (Sorry) -Bob

Double D Farms

Well, I pulled the distributor & got a mirror on the back of the intake. Looks like it's leaking right about the middle of the intake. I did just like Edelbrock said on the install. No rubber seal on the ends, used RTV & had it oozing out a little. Torqued in sequence to 15# then to 25# (they call for 25# not 30# that the original did). Now, we've put about 150-200 miles on it. Since I had the distributor out anyway I retorqued the bolts. Some of them went 1/2 turn before they clicked. Do you think that may fix it? Or at least help? I don't see where it will make it worse.

69 Ragtop

The re-torquing won't hurt unless it causes an aneurism because oil is now on the surface. It's what I would have done. You either fixed it or you'll be pulling the intake anyway. I give it a good chance you'll be OK. If you must do it again be sure the last cleaning of the mating surfaces is with brake cleaner.

bodyman5001

Looks beautiful, quite the radiator shop!!!

Sampson

I had a small seep from my oil pan just behind the motor mount. I spread a small bead of The Right Stuff in the gap of the pan to engine and pressed in with my finger. I figured I had nothing To lose. That was 1000 miles ago and no more seeping. May work for your intake as well.

tru-blue 442

Wow! She turned out beautiful.
Nice work! Any under hood shots?

bodyman5001

It looked like the hack that did the first work (sponsored by Planned Parenthood) drug the bare metal through a gravel pit. Did your radiator shop guys buy case after case of 80 DA paper or skim the whole car or what? It looks beautiful on screen but I am worried about shrinkage showing such rough metal down the road.

Just curious because it looks awesome.

Double D Farms

Some engine pics
http://IMG_1250.jpghttp://IMG_1252.jpg

Double D Farms

They did a lot of straightening & sanding. Then they skimmed it with some low shrinkage filler. Just going on a wing & a prayer from here.

69 Ragtop

I have a feeling you'll be golden. Guys that do bodywork like that tend to use good materials and good sense.

bodyman5001

It should be good to go, filler is amazing these days. My first car was a red 69 hardtop...love that convertible.

Double D Farms

My wife had a red S coupe also. That's what started all of this. Years ago I traded it in on a newer Coupe DeVille leather, air, AM/FM 8 track, power everything, I thought I was doing her a favor. Then I got tired of hearing about how I sold her favorite car for the next 2 decades, & here we are !