1966 Polara

It's out, I had to remove some of the linkage for the transmission to get it out the backside of the engine bay, along the frame rail all the way to the firewall.

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The little nut is stripped, and won't tighten or loosen, a quick crimp of a terminal and back in the new one will go.

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Think I figured out why I had a no crank issue. Can you see something wrong?

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I bought a 72" positive cable and a spool of wire for the small wiring running to the stater relay. Going to keep it away from that exhaust!
 
It spins when I turn the key, just waiting for Laura to wake up so I can start the car. I'm glad I bought an LED flashlight, came I'm handy, no cord and a bunch of magnets. Got a two for one when they were on sale.

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It's out, I had to remove some of the linkage for the transmission to get it out the backside of the engine bay, along the frame rail all the way to the firewall.

View attachment 212473

The little nut is stripped, and won't tighten or loosen, a quick crimp of a terminal and back in the new one will go.

View attachment 212474
I suppose the old one has to go back for a core? The most common problem I see with the Nippondenso is the solenoid plunger and contacts. You can get a kit for the contacts, clean and reuse the plunger or get one from a rebuilder. The small wire stud may be a little bit trickier.
Dorman Products - 02349

I have had a couple of the motors apart and the bearings were always good and brushes looked good.
 
I suppose the old one has to go back for a core? The most common problem I see with the Nippondenso is the solenoid plunger and contacts. You can get a kit for the contacts, clean and reuse the plunger or get one from a rebuilder. The small wire stud may be a little bit trickier.
Dorman Products - 02349

I have had a couple of the motors apart and the bearings were always good and brushes looked good.
It's always been like that, since I installed it, it's been loose. It always spun and started well, until the wires melted!
 
Put the old girl away tonight, she's with her sister in the new digs.

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She's running a little rough at lower rpms, but I rode her hard and put her away wet. Sitting for the most part of summer didn't help much either. A general tuning will occur next spring, as I always do. Car is still a strong puller when I drop it into second and mash the loud pedal, so that's a good sign. Just need it to clean up down low.
 
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It's home for now. Runs like crap below 3k RPM, have to go through carb first, see what sediment is in it, and go from there. Runs awesome over 3k RPM, but chug-a-lug under it. Brakes are sketchy as all get out, but in the ten mile drive home, it all came back to me, pump, pump, pump, pump, and pump some more. Going to find me some rear drums to slap on to keep it on the road, and I should have better stopping power. Then it's back to storage, and get the 500 home, and ready for the open road. :( Tomorrow I'll be returning the messages left by the building suppliers I've contacted, try to get the ball rolling on my own building.

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It's home for now. Runs like crap below 3k RPM, have to go through carb first, see what sediment is in it, and go from there. Runs awesome over 3k RPM, but chug-a-lug under it. Brakes are sketchy as all get out, but in the ten mile drive home, it all came back to me, pump, pump, pump, pump, and pump some more. Going to find me some rear drums to slap on to keep it on the road, and I should have better stopping power. Then it's back to storage, and get the 500 home, and ready for the open road. :( Tomorrow I'll be returning the messages left by the building suppliers I've contacted, try to get the ball rolling on my own building.

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She sure is pretty though. Are the brakes a vacuum issue or are they just physically spent?
 
She sure is pretty though. Are the brakes a vacuum issue or are they just physically spent?
The rear drums are way beyond max wear point. The brakes have always been an issue, but what fun is driving an old car without being on the ragged edge? :lol: I should fix most of the issues in one shot.
 
The rear drums are way beyond max wear point. The brakes have always been an issue, but what fun is driving an old car without being on the ragged edge? :lol: I should fix most of the issues in one shot.
Tell me about it. Mine doesn't know which line in the road it likes best ... like a dog on a lawn of treats.
 
The car went back into storage five days later, I didn't have the money or patience to deal with the car thanks to some other issues in life. I tinkered with my '68 Monaco 500 in the meantime since it didn't need a lot.of money at that time. I pulled the Polara back out in July to fix the rear brakes.

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One drum was way too tight, and got pretty hot. I put the old one back on so I could move the car.

Due to some more issue in life, I didn't do a lot of car stuff while not working, my time was needed elsewhere. I drove the car sparingly, still having to deal with it's issues.

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I had a quick photoshoot before I put it back in storage in early October, poor car, never got any love this year.

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These two cars didn't get to play this year, and it was a bummer. I'll try to hit it hard next spring, barring any surprises, and get these on the road early and often.
 
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