It is great to find this site. Thanks for having me.

I have 2 1966 98 convertibles, and I want to make one nice car from them.

They both have an engine casting, 389244D.

The red car has dual exhaust, orange engine stamped no. N594670, air cleaner cover says ultra high compression use premium fuel 10" diam. and seems much quicker. I haven't been able to check the code on the rear end yet.

The white car is rust free and has a black engine.

For value, should I leave the colors stock? Are the engines the same? Should I change the exhaust ?

I have a lot to learn. Thanks for any input.

 

The D block is a 425 so yes both engines are most likely the same in that respect. Original color was red orange and the 98 had a 4bbl carb standard. The only engine upgrade/option would have been the Sfire engine option which would have gave you dual exhaust. I like to keeps things original but that would be your choice.

 

Welcome to the site! I am the adviser for '65/'66 full size cars for OCA. By some coincidence, I also have two '66's, a red convertible and a white Holiday sedan. If you would like to contact me by PM, I could probably help you with most of your questions and, maybe, some needed parts. If you are totally new to these cars, I would suggest you get the maintenance manual. They are frequently available on eBay.
What part of the country are you in?? (bigoldscruiser) Bruce

 

Sounds like you have a tough decision to make. I can help you with that. Restore them both, see problem solved.

Post some pictures please

 

welcome aboard. sounds like you should be able to make one sweet cruiser between the two.

The guys here a an amazing wealth of knowledge and very helpful, but only if you post pics

 

Here are a few pics, more to follow.

I am not sure how to respond to anyone.

Please help.

 

From what I can see in the pictures, they are both nice, solid cars and it would be a shame to use one as a parts car. I recently sold one that was in fairly poor shape but the guy insists that he is going to restore it. I see that they both have cornering lights. What other options do they have??

Bruce

 

Welcome!!

 

The white car has power antenna & windows, clock, trunk release, cornering lights, tilt & telescoping steering, dealer added air and I am not sure what else, but everything works.

The red car has everything the same, but no air, but it may have a starfire high lift cam motor since it has dual exhaust. I am not sure how to tell. The motor is stamped with a number, N594670, on a machined spot on the head passenger side.

Since the white car is cleaner,even though the red one is very straight, but has some surface rust, would it be worth switching engines and restoring both cars, selling the red one and keeping the white one.

I would also switch some fenders and quarter panels out, and repaint the cars as original.

I bought the white car from the grandson of the original owner, and it is dinged up pretty good on three corners and both bumpers.

I am in northern Nevada, the white car is a California car, the red one is from Washington state.

thanks for your help. Pete

 

Pete,

I'm not sure why you'd want to switch the engines - they should both be the same engine. All 98s came with the standard compression (10¼:1) 425, which is what you've got there (N594670 - see chart below). The optional Starfire 10½:1 engine would have an S after the number.



- Eric

 

Why does the red car have dual exhaust?

 

Probably because some prior owner wanted it to.

- Eric

 

That's what I thought.

Thanks for that. Pete

 

The white car does feel much quicker than the red one.

 

Could be the diff. rear end

 

Easily.

Jack both of 'em up and check the ratios.

Could also be one of them is in bad need of a tune-up.

- Eric

 

Correction The red car with duals is much quicker.......

 

[QUOTE=66BOAT;336459]The white car has power antenna & windows, clock, trunk release, cornering lights, tilt & telescoping steering, dealer added air and I am not sure what else, but everything works.

The red car has everything the same, but no air, but it may have a starfire high lift cam motor since it has dual exhaust. I am not sure how to tell. The motor is stamped with a number, N594670, on a machined spot on the head passenger side.


Pete, The antenna, windows and clock are standard on those cars, trunk release-quite common. The Tilt-Tele with cornering lights is not so common and a very nice option. What about the radios? AM, AM/FM, or Wonderbar?Does either have Cruise Control? Does the A/C system have the vents through the dash like factory? How are the controls set up--in the dash? The compressor is a real monstrosity and, since it is not factory, I would replace it with a Sanden compressor. Another place to look for a clue as to whether you have a Starfire engine--the transmission number plate. The standard was 66-OB-10--, with a Starfire it read 66-OD-10--. Someone may have just changed the heads for some reason.

Bruce

 

Bruce,

Red has AM Radio and Wonderbar. I don't know what that is.

White has AM Radio, the Air and controls are all under the dash..not like factory.

Thanks for the info on the tranny......I'll check it out.

Both cars need new tops, but the white one came with a new white Robbins top/glass window not installed.

Pete

 

Pete,

The Wonderbar radio is a fairly rare option. There was a foot switch much like the headlight dimmer switch which changed the stations the same way the bar did. They are very hard to find these days. Did the car also happen to have the Reverb unit? That was to make it sound similar to stereo since there was no stereo in those days. There would be a switch under the center of the dash.

What color is the interior of the red car? If it is red or white, the white top would look good on that. If it is black, forget it! How about the interior color of the of the white car?

If the A/C is one of those units hanging under the dash like the early Mustang, and you want to stay with A/C, you might consider looking into a modern, underdash setup from Vintage Air.

Bruce

 

Welcome!!!! Nice car!!!