66 Goat project

[1965gp]

Don't post on here too often- and this probably won't fit the bill as a pro-touring car but I thought a few might be interested.

I bought this this as a non running car last summer. Father died- left it to his daughter; her and her husband didn't have the $$ or know how to get it going. Not running, 4 flat tires (on wire wheels!) and a broken steering rag joint is how I picked it up:


After I got it home I cleaned it up and put it n some rollers:

[1965gp]

The next evening I bet a friend he couldn't get it to fire by morning. 14 minutes later the car fired up with gas poured down the carb. Plug wires in the wrong order.....

So I know it would fire.... This coming week the plan is to add a new tank, flush the fuel lines, new fuel pump, new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, etc.. New carb and fluids- remove old crusty thermostat and see what happens.

Hopefully the car will fire up, smoke for a bit and be fine.

I did this on our 68 LeMans and still it runs great.

Long term plans for the car are to add a tri-power (already have), vintage air, update the wheels, fix the body (either red or tiger gold) and possibly convert to an OD 5 speed.

Comments and suggestions are encouraged!

[Nicks67GTO]

SWEET! Have you considered leaving the slight patina? That car looks like it's in great shape. What do you have for a drivetrain?

[Nicks67GTO]

I would add that 3x2, update the chassis, get some Black 5 spoke wheels, good brakes, add the od 5 speed and drive the wheels of it.

[1965gp]

It looks like it has the original 389, but someone added later heads to it (look like 1968 #16 castings).

I had considered leaving the patina but the dent in the drivers quarter really takes away from it. I could probably get it to shine similar to the 68 (washed with scotch brite and buffed cause it was so nasty) if it was kept indoors- but that dent!

It's a real 242 car so I want to take care of it. Short term (if it runs ok) it will get new brakes and then I will get all the gauges and electrical working. By then my 72 Formula should be painted and I can pull this one apart to get sprayed. It's a So Cal car and the only rust is around the wheel lip of the passenger quarter.

[Nicks67GTO]

I see it now. I was looking at this on my phone last night and missed the crumpled up 1/4. Nice score!

[1965gp]

If it wasn't for the crunched quarter the body would be in fantastic shape. Very little rust at all.

I really would like to get it running /driving before the body work starts. Makes it a lot easier

[1965gp]

Glad to report the goat came to life this week. Soaked the cylinders with mystery oil for a week, changed the oil, flushed lines and a new tank. Pulled a carb off the shelf, new plugs/wires and it came to life rather quickly. Smoked for a bit until it burned off the oil residue from what I soaked the cylinders with.

Had to use an old intake I had because the carb I had wouldn't fit on the 66 intake. I had to re-use the rubber o ring between the water pump and intake. Leaks a bit but it worked to get it running. At some point someone put a starter button on it (thanks for drilling a hole in a mint dash!) due to a bad ignition switch. After I get the new switch the car will fire up with the flick of the key.

Next step is to go through the brakes and suspension. The part where the steering column matches up to the rag joint is bent to ***** so I am going to find a tilt replacement local. The drums are locked up so I have my work cut out for me.....

[Nicks67GTO]

It might be cheaper to get that column rebuilt or find a stock non tilt column and send it to [email protected] {BirdsandBowties} on here. This is what I did. Im hoping to get mine back in about a week. He converts stock columns to tilt and rebuilds everything for a very reasonable price. Im sure he could rebuild your current 66 tilt as well. Just about every pre-69 tilt iv'e seen for a GTO is priced in the stratosphere and they don't interchange with Chevelles. I think I think the last rebuilt 67 GTO tilt I found was over $1200 and the last junk one I found was around $800.

[1965gp]

Thanks- I didn't realize they did not interchange with a Chevelle. A friend has a yard with a couple old LeMans' in it that I am going to look into

[wfo guy]

The 66 and 67 Pontiacs have graceful lines. It takes very little to make them great. I'm glad for you that some of this is going better than most projects that have set for too long. Sounds like your friend is a good guy to have around. Got anymore bets for him?

[Auto Rod Technologies]

Looks good, we are nearing the end of a 67 LeMans Resto.. Looks like you have a better car to start with than what we had.

[1965gp]

While I was under the car replacing the tank I couldn't find any rust at all. It's amazingly clean underneath.

My buddy Greg has helped me on countless projects- most of my cars wouldn't be where they are without him.

Hopefully I can get this car going good. I would like to have it drive able when the shop finishes my 72.

Here are a few pics of the 72, it's a running/driving/stopping car I picked up from a friends yard. it is very rust free except that it was a vinyl top car. Doors, door jambs, rockers etc are all clean. Putting full quarters on it should get rid of 90% of the rust. We were pleasantly surprised by what we saw when we pulled the skin:

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Awesome goat!

[1965gp]

Thanks! Got new ign switch and it fires right up. Going to start on brakes next week to get it to where it will stop.

I was following the 67 LeMans mentioned above- quite a build!

[rohrt]

subscribing. Love the goat! I still like the patina. Pound the dent out and put some red oxide primer on it.

[Django]

Agreed, that is super nice. Congrats!