You guys are my kind of people! I have covered a lot the reasoning behind the wheel purchase. Regardless if they stayed on this car or not, I needed replacements to be able to drive the car, and the setup and great deal in my eyes seemed to be lots and lots of value for the money. The juice was worth the squeeze. I could trade these wheels, sell them for a profit, and have extra cash to get something that was better for the car overall. These wheels fixed the immediate issue, as well as opened up more options for other wheel and tire packages down the road. Plus it was a good lesson for me, which is probably most important. The exhaust was needed, and a subtle dual setup doesn’t take away from any originality of the car IMO. Single exhaust systems aren’t bad, but there isn’t anything (except maybe a Cadillac or Lincoln) that a mild dual system will hurt, except for exit location, gaudy tips, or obnoxious mufflers. Aside from that I really have just been focused on the reliability, items that don’t function needing repair, and cleanup of the car. The color on the motor was a mistake. Oreillys claimed to have ordered Chrysler blue engine paint, and by the time I had my first color coat on and noticed it was off, I was in full tilt to get car back together and back on the road. It’d be easy enough to pull valve covers and paint timing cover on the car the real Chrysler blue.
I’m not sure what the Chev engine dress up is, but if you’re referring to the 4 bbl setup I have ready to go on, then I can explain at least my POV behind it.
After driving the car the first few days, I really was beginning to enjoy it. IMO I feel like it was about 80% of the power and torque I think the car really needs to be as enjoyable as possible. I have lots of experience with cars, driving, racing, and road tripping. I’m not looking for a hot rod, but there’s a level of acceleration that really delivers a pleasure experience. The sound of the exhaust, the rumble of the OHV V8, and a level of acceleration on kickdown and on ramps that needs to be on tap when spirited driving is asked of the car. I felt another 20% power increase would put the car there. I like the highway gear, so I wasn’t going to mess with that. I want to keep the factory a/c (minus an R134 conversion), so that needed to stay on. Obviously bumping the power was the most suitable course. Not only will it pick up some low end power and torque, but the top end can be more tunable and increased as well. This’ll help acceleration, the exhaust will definitely sound better with added power, and the sound of the secondaries at full trot is quite a good sound/ feeling as well. I will keep the factory mani/ carb with the car, and any future owner can easily return the car to stock form.
Lastly I had the carb laying around, and the manifold was only $70. For that kind of low investment it wasn’t hard for me to move forward with the 4 bbl swap.
Again I love the input. 2 weeks ago this car didn’t run. Sat since 1988. I’ve been thrashing on this thing to bring it back to life. At every turn I’ve learned a lot. Made some mistakes. One thing that’s awesome though is I get to be driving and enjoying the car everyday.
I wouldn’t be worried for the next owner. I wouldn’t be worried for the car. I’ll make sure the car goes to a proper owner who will continue these ideas you guys are helping instill in me as we go. The original equipment will all stay with the car. I am not planning on just selling the car ASAP. I’m going to drive it and continue to fix it as I go. If someone comes along that appreciates the car and wants to buy it, I’ll sell. At this point though if the car was alive or had a soul, it would be very happy to be in its current state, especially after sitting not running and being neglected for 29 years. Actually! I have some interior pics I finally cleaned her out and cleaned her up.
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amazing the carpet, headliner, dash, and seats on this car. Such good condition. Still needs real proper detail, but not full of junk anymore either way
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