1966 valiant project 6/27 update

Cluck Norris

Cluck Norris

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Let’s start this off with years ago I was building a 73 valiant and just like most things life gets in the way, wife kids ect….. so that project got abandoned and I didn’t really pick up another project that was something I wanted to do for almost a decade. Just with time and money constraints it wasn’t an option.
Growing up my old man was a mopar enthusiast and loved dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth, so I have always gravitated to the brand.
@Slacker has had a valiant posted up for sale for what seems like an eternity, and it was way to clean to go to the scrapper. Talked to the wife about it and the price was right, so for my Father’s Day present I got a 1966 valiant singet project car. She is a little odd ball after looking over the fine details tonight, but she is going to make a cool little project.
She was made in Friday January 28 1966 but wasn’t sold until March of 67(probably because of the way it was equipped)
It is originally silver top and body with a red interior
Heat no ac
Chrome package
Power steering but manual brakes
Small engine 175
3 speed automatic
Originally sold in Durham NC
More details and pictures to come tomorrow
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I’m showing my project at 12:30 today. I hope it sells. I lost interest years ago and need the room in the garage.
Good luck with the project.
 
Ahhh... fond memories.
When I started following my now wife around (to be honest- stalking) when we were 16, she was driving a bright blue valiant around.
 
I have no drive and less motivation to take on just about any project, but I do enjoy watching one in progress.
 
HotSoup said:
Wrecked hellcat drivetrain swap!
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Wrecked SHP chargers are CHEAP.

kcult said:
I have no drive and less motivation to take on just about any project, but I do enjoy watching one in progress.
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Reasons why I have 3 project vehicles in the yard.... it was only $300!
 
fieldgrade said:
I vote for a rat rod sleeper.
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We talked about this last night, I’m sure you’ll know what I mean when the car is talking to you…
Where my head is at on it
2 years on the project
Body is going to be hot rod black(mat black)
All of the chrome trim and front and rear bumpers are going the be high gloss black
Center section of the grill will body color
Side sections of grill around the headlight will be polished aluminum

I would leave it like this and slow the rust in the lower quarters on the rear if it was factory paint, or even old paint, but that is primer.

the power train will be a healthy Chrysler small block most likely, with a 4speed auto that hasa reverse manual vale body. not looking to do any crazy numbers, around 350 to the rear tires. People talk about big HP numbers (600+) but most have never sat in anything like that, especially in a car that weights 2200lbs.
Once I have time I’ll post the purposed build specs
 
If you really want to enjoy the car leave it alone and refine it with better brakes, tires, etc. but leave the drivetrain as is, you have the best engineered car of that timeframe and if tested will shame most of the comparable products of today. Lots of people think the slant six is the most durable motor ever and they are right if they stick with the 170 version. The 225 is a dog that wears cylinders due to too much side thrush whereas the 170 is a fine balanced reverse flow head motor that runs silky smooth. Matched with a chassis that can take hard and fast driving and you have a fun ride. Or do like most and plant a bomb motor in it and never be able to match what the car’s engineers designed the car for and that was the best handling, most durable as well as the most comfortable and fastest American made compact that could knock down 20+ mpg day in day out.
 
A cammed up 360 with an 8 3/4 rear end would treat that thing like a rocket ship. You could still use unleaded gas and a good fuel injection system would not kill the wallet. Tub the rear to put some big meats and that would be a fun little toy to embarrass mustangs with!
 
Gator said:
I came really close to going after this car myself. Congrats on the new project.

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I debated on it really hard, and went back and forth on it while going to see it for the first time…. But I walked around it with my oldest son and it reminded of going to look at cars with my old man and I fell in love with it. She is really straight, and the rot is so minimal that it is almost comical.
 
Ben Jefferson said:
A cammed up 360 with an 8 3/4 rear end would treat that thing like a rocket ship. You could still use unleaded gas and a good fuel injection system would not kill the wallet. Tub the rear to put some big meats and that would be a fun little toy to embarrass mustangs with!
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You are not wrong, good luck finding an A body 8 3/4. I found a b body last night so I may end cutting one down. I’m not wanting to go “dragster”, just a healthy V8, good suspension, driving/cruising car
 
I would love to see what that 6 would do with a nice turbo........best of luck in this endeavor
 
Cluck Norris said:
You are not wrong, good luck finding an A body 8 3/4. I found a b body last night so I may end cutting one down. I’m not wanting to go “dragster”, just a healthy V8, good suspension, driving/cruising car
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A streetable road racer then.
 
Cluck Norris said:
You are not wrong, good luck finding an A body 8 3/4. I found a b body last night so I may end cutting one down. I’m not wanting to go “dragster”, just a healthy V8, good suspension, driving/cruising car
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If I remember right the Valiant was a very light car compared to other Mopar stuff … like 1,000 lbs lighter than a Charger … so a smaller V8 might be better for fit and weight distribution. Not sure about the motor mount compatibility but a good old vintage 318 with a little cam help and single smaller 4 bbl attached to a 4 spd manual would move the lighter Valiant nicely while giving decent a mpg.
 
You will HAVE TO cut down a rear end. I had to cut one down for a 69 Dart and that's narrower.

You can get good Q and mileage out of a 360.

Keep the pushbutton for the coolness though!
 
A Plymouth 318 with the factory dual carbs would be a really cool addition.
Plenty of motor for your car and totally reliable!

A Ford 9" rear axle from a Maverick or Fairlane should bolt right up.

178583_Engine_Web.jpg
 
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Chuck said:
gh
Did some of them not come with a 273 V-8 ??
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I don't think so, 6 bangers all around. That's why exhaust headers can be a biotch. TTI can sort that out I bet though.

It would be a fun project that that I wanted to do badly.
 
Ben Jefferson said:
I don't think so, 6 bangers all around. That's why exhaust headers can be a biotch. TTI can sort that out I bet though.

It would be a fun project that that I wanted to do badly.
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In the 2nd gens 63-66 you had three options a 170, 225, or a 273, the 225 being the most selected option.
This one had the build tag under the seat still but it was mostly gone
 
I thought my 1964 had a small V-8 with a push button automatic transmission shifter on the dash. Thanks for letting me know not all my memory is gone.
 
I had a '64 Dodge with slant six and pushbutton auto when I was in college. Bought it for $200, sold it a couple of years later for $200. Never spent a nickel on it and drove it all over. Extremely comfortable and reliable. I'm ashamed to say I don't even remember changing the oil. If this Valiant was mine, I think I'd keep the slant six.
Dodge.jpg
 
Hashknife said:
A Plymouth 318 with the factory dual carbs would be a really cool addition.
Plenty of motor for your car and totally reliable!

A Ford 9" rear axle from a Maverick or Fairlane should bolt right up.

View attachment 343967
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The picture is of a low deck 361/383 B-block. The dual carb setup for the poly head (early 318) was on the 57 Plymouth Fury’s, never was a dual carb factory setup for the later inline valve 318.
 
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Ben Jefferson said:
I don't think so, 6 bangers all around. That's why exhaust headers can be a biotch. TTI can sort that out I bet though.

It would be a fun project that that I wanted to do badly.
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Dave Dutra made cast iron replicas of the dual exhaust system used on the early Hyper-pak Valiants. A much better setup for road use than the tubular headers.
 
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OldNascar said:
The picture is of a low deck 361/383 B-block. The dual carb setup for the poly head (early 318) was on the 57 Plymouth Fury’s, never was a dual carb factory setup for the later inline valve 318.
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OldNascar said:
The picture is of a low deck 361/383 B-block. The dual carb setup for the poly head (early 318) was on the 57 Plymouth Fury’s, never was a dual carb factory setup for the later inline valve 318.
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Had one in an old v-drive boat. I always thought it was a 318. (?) It ran good with zero issues.
As mentioned, a 360 would be a cool engine in that car as well.
 
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Good luck with a 273 V8. It would probably be the best fit in the Valiant’s engine bay. With a little work can out so nice power BUT as rare as they are parts are twice or more times than the price of say a 318 and high performance items like a cam, pistons, etc are almost custom orders … you can find a nice selection of 273 parts at egge.com but a good block might be the pricy piece.

Kits

Kits
egge.com egge.com
 
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