Thought I'd share some of the Valiant build-up with pics. Thru the years and for many reasons, I have done my share of helping many others AND ENJOYED IT but as my wife told me...'just work only on your own stuff for a change'. pics...
Jerry T "Gdemon" was the main reason I decided to do the resto. He was very GENEROUS with his time and resources. This photo was about 2 hours after we wondered how the body would look removing the drip rails...
Looks like a awesome project is underway! I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of it unfolds. Maybe I'll see it out and about when it's done as we're kinda in the same area.
Built a paint booth with bright lighting and filtered negative pressure. (Too much negative psi at first) and it pulled dust from EVERYWHERE and mandated stopping primer stage allowing to dry/sand and restarting the next day. Then shot the car with 2014? charcoal grey.
I cannot forget to mention Chuck at Best for his generous extension of resources and help when I first put the engine together. I am stubborn and want to do things 'my way' and I have to give all mentioned the credit for tolerating me.
Thank you Bob! Doug, if it is quick, it'll be because ive had a lot of help from the people I've listed. Of which I can't leave out an old friend, Mike Ogurek, in the mix too although he isn't on here. Generally, it's been idle way too long and im back after it more recently. I did buy a Holley datalogging dash and piggy-backed another 8 channels for misc temperature sensing.
Thank you Bob! Doug, if it is quick, it'll be because ive had a lot of help from the people I've listed. Of which I can't leave out an old friend, Mike Ogurek, in the mix too although he isn't on here. Generally, it's been idle way too long and im back after it more recently. I did buy a Holley datalogging dash and piggy-backed another 8 channels for misc temperature sensing.
With the cocktail of guys that are in the mix,,,,,I have 7s in my prediction
A blanket thank you to ALL for the compliments. This 485" motor should be about 700HP it is a stock block pump gas with Indy SR heads. Something to get me back up to speed in the seat but yes with all the effort involved you'd expect it to run in the 7's. It could be the poster child for fake it until you make it? I do have another KB block motor that should be about 900HP reusing some of the pieces from this motor. It should be around 3000 pounds with 200ISH lb me...Chassis is 8.50 cert moly with a 2x3 frame 4-link, anti-roll Dana. It has glass bumpers, deck lid and hood. ALL windows are lexan but functional and I tried to keep them looking real (except the for the windshield which is screwed-down). I'm finishing the chute and wheelie bars currently.
THANKS!!!...Jerry really helped big time and we spent a good amount getting it very nice. It isn't quite Doug Wright fit/finish perfect but it'll hold it's own.
Sean, I couldn’t be happier to see YOUR project finally near completion. You have always kicked your stuff aside to help me as well as others. You’ve got a good network of friends that will always be there to help. Sure has come a long ways from a couple years ago when we were saying “lets just touch it up and go racing”, lol.
Sean, I couldn’t be happier to see YOUR project finally near completion. You have always kicked your stuff aside to help me as well as others. You’ve got a good network of friends that will always be there to help. Sure has come a long ways from a couple years ago when we were saying “lets just touch it up and go racing”, lol.
Randy
I wouldn't say I kicked my stuff aside, I always have a choice ...it is more fun doing things with someone and enjoying some success. You have always made yourself available. Yeah, it's come a long ways.
Just airing a couple funny? thoughts I had while rummaging thru the old photos...this was from around 1977?... on the right, this HAS to be one of the first photobombers? ...the contest was juggling 'legally soccer-style" and called "kick me" WTH, no wonder my life has been so difficult lol.
Dusting off an older post with some annual updates. I added a Holley dig dash with data acq. i maxxed-out use of the system. It was trouble to install because i had no tech support and because the factory harness wound-up being assembled (pinned) wrong...i was left to figure it out pretty much on my own. The car is completely wired now and things work! I did my best to hide the wiring thru frame rail etc. DVW and Paul G. (machinist) were a big help here. LED's in both front rear. I have things 'shock' mounted and insulated from heat in case i drive it ...100,000 miles. I have to rivit the tin in yet few panels need final coats but everything now has been fitted and as good as i can tolerate. I finally got all the pGlide adaptations and rebuild done even have an internal rpm pick-up with help from Paul and even Al Alguire was there with parts. The brakes were used but i rebuilt/tuned them up and they work nice. DVW swapped the gear to a 456. I built 'legal' sprung wheelie bars and 'cute. It still needs a front end alignment and 4-link plot verification (at exact ride height), misc trunk-area fuel system final mounting. And front and rear windows final installed. Pics to follow...
Thanks a bunch guys, it is close. a bunch of the work that took time was the tin needed alot of work, it was very sloppy. Dartin' wound up remaking a few panels and those are done and needed no rework. The wiring was a major learning curve but that is done...tucking it away clean was work. So most is done other than what is listed above. I did do cranking compression on it last week checking things out and it was a little lower than expected @150 so I may have got a touch greedy with duration on this 11:1 but it is what it is.
Unriveted and polished most the tunnel tin and polished the old shifter mount then painted the moly mount tubes ...no pics. Pic of chute has unfinished tinwork. detailed and painted more tin.
This is an older but more clear 3/4 view pic taken with another phone back when i rolled it outside...shows I bowed-out the windshield as much as possible without looking out of place?
LOL...no I did...I can run a Bridgeport, lathe, bandsaw, brake, press, mig/tig welder, and design solutions too. I'm pretty good at giving credit where it's due, it's just hard to get on equipment anymore and been a while so it takes me about double the time as it 'should'.
Coming from someone who's 'junk' is nicer than most of us including me, I appreciate that. I appreciate the comments, even constructive, from anyone. Looking at some builds makes me want to step-up even more. I enjoy this community, i lurk often but, log-in very rarely. So I'm just sharing my contribution. I'm really hoping it'll run good because, I enjoy the 'motor' stuff MUCH MORE than this 'art project'.
!!!Thanks again guys!!!...I'm surprised the floor paint is getting complements because IMO it's a 3-footer (no pun intended) All I did was figure out what roller to use and how many passes it took before shedding lint. It's Armor-all hammered black. However that took A LONG TIME to figure out stripping and sanding after each failure. You gotta know some 6-year old kid will come along later and nail it first try? It's frustrating to think about... short of anyone exaggerating that it looks 'great' I have a long string of expletives waiting in response lol.
Have to tried any testing with the scoop your using, with and without? Ever tried a cowl scoop. I have been contemplating a scoop for my t ram set up. Curious to what works and what don't. Thanks
Have to tried any testing with the scoop your using, with and without? Ever tried a cowl scoop. I have been contemplating a scoop for my t ram set up. Curious to what works and what don't. Thanks
There are so many good discussions about hood scoops that are worth referencing with one more recently done in this Forum. And yes I have tested with many different styles and cars. I have found generally, fwd facing are the most forgiving to execute some performance benefit. In the end you have to try things and figure out what works with A/F data ideally. The trouble is that most people will say WHY something worked or didnt and be wrong therebty misleading others. Put the bottom of the scoop opening ABOVE the string-line run from the roof to the front of the hood and choose a scoop that has about 3.5" room to the airhorn ( s) Sidebar Q for Alguire if you're still here...care to hazard a guess how much more fluid in quarts than "full cold" I should start the trans level at? There's 4 total in it now (full level cold) and I'm using your old 8" ATI conv which didn't loose any in shipping.
If it were me 4qts is plenty to fire it up with. As for total capacity will depend on what pan cooler and lines you use. Considering there is likely 1.5ish in the converter you wont need a ton more for sure. Here is what ATI has to say. As for ultimate level I never run them completely full in the shop as you will likely not get enough heat in it to get an accurate read. Although engaging the brake will help put some heat in it.
As eager as I am to see you get this car wrapped up and racing, I’m glad you put the extra effort in to fixing some of the poor fitting tin work that you had “the other guy” make. The rest of the work is far too nice. It’s a shame you didn’t get what you paid for.
As eager as I am to see you get this car wrapped up and racing, I’m glad you put the extra effort in to fixing some of the poor fitting tin work that you had “the other guy” make. The rest of the work is far too nice. It’s a shame you didn’t get what you paid for.
Thanks again Randy! and fellas. I just had some updates and I figured I'd add with old/new work...still moving along. As-of last night, I have a cardboard template of hopefully THE LAST two pieces of tin.
This weekend I finally hit the start button! I had great help from Randy (Dartin) and Shaun Meyers and we got it going. There are a couple vids on FaceB...I'm not sure how to link? It SOUNDS decent anyway. Some of the data display is not working well and I have to finish riveting some tin, and needs front alignment. But it's getting closer to track time!!!
Looks like a top quality car/chassis. The 485 CID Indy SR motor will be mild for that car. But you have lots of upgraded parts already on it to make 1000 hp with some heads, etc.
Looks like a top quality car/chassis. The 485 CID Indy SR motor will be mild for that car. But you have lots of upgraded parts already on it to make 1000 hp with some heads, etc.
Thanks Jim. I already have about 90% of everything I need to RELIABLY upgrade to about 925HP. This is to get acquainted to the car etc.
Looking good! I dig that insulator between the base and top on the t-ram. I want one!
THANKS! I used a piece of 1/2" thick Delrin plastic to add plenum volume. It was hand-made (no bridgeport). With a little engine RTV it's sealed-up tight.
Did you leave stock rad support? for fenders to bolt to?
This is ther best pic i could find...I welded thin-wall 1x1 steel for verticle raisers and radiator mount etc. I welded 1x1 angle iron to those for upper core support and fender mounts.
LOL...same pic is on page one here but, better quality. I just checked. If you look at some of the other earlier pics in this thread you'll see the 3 pieces of plate that bridge the gap between the grill and the 'new' core support. The middle piece i had edm burn a logo with my initials.
Looks Awesome! Whats your geuss on weight? Mine was 3100 lbs with me in it.
I HOPE less than 3000 WITH me but it's probably going to be nearer your weight Bob. Anyone want to guess??? I have MF tube front/coil overs, light brakes all corners, fglass dash, 2x3 rear clip 4-link and all assoc. brackets anti-roll Dana tube floors glass hood bumpers and decklid, 10gallon cell, Dbl beadlocks 10x33.5 M/T, 40 spline gun-drilled, Std 78 case 12V battery in rear. Tube steering column, ALL windows are lexan .125", 8.50 cert cage, mid-plate, PG trans with JW bell... I probably weight 150/160ish
More updates..I finished front/rear alignment, the MF suspension definitely has some inherent bumpsteer issues. Also added some LCA bumpers to the frame. I feel it's safe now but, I'll never buy that same unit here. Tin is done. Had some dig7 Ignition issues hopefully resolved. I added a bleed to the waterpump impeller chamber thanks to a recent post here. Just a bunch of misc fixes after i got it running. I wound up driving it around the block and have made some more mechanical changes since. I plotted the 4-link and it's a little more aggressive than I thought but I'd like the rear to separate. I have a pretty tight valved 5 inch travel shock. So any suggestions would be appreciated. Plan is to take it out for testing this weekend.
Looks Awesome! Whats your geuss on weight? Mine was 3100 lbs with me in it.
I HOPE less than 3000 WITH me but it's probably going to be nearer your weight Bob. Anyone want to guess??? I have MF tube front/coil overs, light brakes all corners, fglass dash, 2x3 rear clip 4-link and all assoc. brackets anti-roll Dana tube floors glass hood bumpers and decklid, 10gallon cell, Dbl beadlocks 10x33.5 M/T, 40 spline gun-drilled, Std 78 case 12V battery in rear. Tube steering column, ALL windows are lexan .125", 8.50 cert cage, mid-plate, PG trans with JW bell... I probably weight 150/160ish
Mine is 3009 with me in it, ready to race. I would think you would be lighter
Looking great. Glad to see you got it moving under its own power this past weekend. Love to hear what you found with the 7530 box. Cant wait to hear how things go at the track. Best of luck!! Oh yeah mine weighed 3470 with me in it, all steel(except bumbers and hood), all working glass, dana 8.50 MS cage and full interior. Im not exactly the smallest guy either
Looking great. Glad to see you got it moving under its own power this past weekend. Love to hear what you found with the 7530 box. Cant wait to hear how things go at the track. Best of luck!! Oh yeah mine weighed 3470 with me in it, all steel(except bumbers and hood), all working glass, dana 8.50 MS cage and full interior. Im not exactly the smallest guy either
Thanks again. I tried swapping the polarity and it wouldn't even try to fire, back it went. Once i was able to get into programming...I found nothing (that I would recognize) which would retard the timing UNDER 800 rpm. So i just bumped it forward about 10? deg on the pick-up so i could take it around. I did readjust all RPM limits and i took out the 'start retard' which was only 8* also it looked like it had some downtrack/run retards on a graph (dots) that were about 8* so i moved the dots to 0. I havent checked it since those changes, maybe i did find something? Thanks again Tony! I acually weigh 205 so I'm starting to think it'll be close to where you are because the 4link backhalf is 2x3 and all related junk that i prob wouldnt need if it were ladder-bar. It's gotta be 75lbs heavier that a tube back ladder-bar. I don't think I'll be able to scale it before I do test and it kinda is what it is for now. I really would be curious to know how aggressive i can go anti-squat on this set-up. It's sitting at about 37" and 11"!!! showing 179% antisquat. If i move the lower bar up at the axle it'll put it at 41" and 10" with a.s. being 146%...anyone?
Gotta start somewhere with the 4 link. A thousand options and only a few are right for your car I would think thats a bit high and short but would need alot more info really, like HP, SLR, Weight, ride Ht, crank centerline, bar spread blah blah blah Also depends on your goal with the car, ride the bars for the fans or get down the track.
Gotta start somewhere with the 4 link. A thousand options and only a few are right for your car I would think thats a bit high and short but would need alot more info really, like HP, SLR, Weight, ride Ht, crank centerline, bar spread blah blah blah Also depends on your goal with the car, ride the bars for the fans or get down the track.
It isnt much lower than a typical BB A-body in the front with a 26" tire so, 12"? It has about 1* rake towards the front. the cam c/l is about 18/ SLR IS 8.75/ HP750/ weight w/dr. 3000/ bar spread is about 10.5 rear and 6 front. There is a pretty quick lower bar change I will make and that'll get me 46" and 10". Which shows a 131 a.s. I'd like to get down the track fast with minor drama.
Thanks again guys! I had it out last night to shake out any obvious bugs in an undisclosed area with help from Gdemon, Dartin and my wife Michelle and thanks to Al for taking a quick tech call as well. There are a couple vids on Facebook. It seems to be working pretty well! I never drove anything this quick but, I felt pretty comfortable pretty quickly.
Thanks again guys! I had it out last night to shake out any obvious bugs in an undisclosed area with help from Gdemon, Dartin and my wife Michelle and thanks to Al for taking a quick tech call as well. There are a couple vids on Facebook. It seems to be working pretty well! I never drove anything this quick but, I felt pretty comfortable pretty quickly.
Good to hear you got out. I’m sure after working on it that felt good.
I tried a few things to change FB to 'public' but apparently not working? Michelle uploaded the video to Youtube, it's called "1000 Horsepower 1968 Valiant "
I tried a few things to change FB to 'public' but apparently not working? Michelle uploaded the video to Youtube, it's called "1000 Horsepower 1968 Valiant "
I tried a few things to change FB to 'public' but apparently not working? Michelle uploaded the video to Youtube, it's called "1000 Horsepower 1968 Valiant "
It's been busy since Thursday trying to get out testing. Changing parts adjusting parts etc. Side note: I'm going to speculate some looser returned a 20 year-old worn-out coil spring to Summit, passing it off as-if it were unused, only for me to pay-for a used WORN-OUT spring that additionally had major powdercoat chips. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! I made two passes on Monday at Lapeer, the second pass footbraking it went 1.33 60ft and 3.83 330ft Obviously I have more work to do but, I feel it's got potential. Michelle put a couple more vids up on FB. I didn't weigh the car so, that'll be coming real soon. In a way, I hope it's as heavy as i think because really I care more about what kinda power it's making for some odd reason? lol
Thanks again everyone...there's really no magic here. It's taken ME so long to build. Understandably, not everyone at all times has long nights to burn and this is what it really took for me to get things to this point. I've had things done that i redid along with things i made to remake whether it was for function or looks. I haven't helped anyone much lately plus, I have been the one getting assistance. While I'm not complaining, on this last stretch of the build, I have not gone to bed before midnight. Mostly it's been way later and I work dayshift. One way or the other I'll get it down to running the way i think it should. Although a few arguments along the way, my wife being involved (little arm twisting here and there) has certainly helped me. She even said this weekend after helping at the track..."although it's a bunch of work, at the end of the day you wind-up enjoying it all"
I wonder how much MPH the car will pick up with the back window in 2,6,8?
LOL I might not know comparatively. Because it is legal to run without and at the moment if it'll delay me getting out another week, I'll skip it. Running without it goes against all the help that's tolerated me putting the extra time into the looks. We struggled with it for about an hour/learned some things and it'll eventually go in soon. I'm sorry I havent figured out how to link the FB vids but Michelle did post the video of my second hit at Lapeer which is decent ...ON YOUTUBE so if you click on the vid here someone nicely linked and then click on Michelle's name it'll show the other vid. The sound is good. There is a good amount just watching the vid to know what needs done yet, thanks to a few that have critiqued. The one neat thing about this track is the 'enclosure' the track is within contains the sounds. You gotta remember, these are the first tests in the car, I'm just getting comfortable/familiar with things in general. People kept texting Michelle about #'s what did it run, she's asking me and although I felt it was pulling strong at points there was no way to quantify. But as i was unloading the car I remembered seeing a 3.8x on one ticket and once i looked closer, it felt good to think it's going to run OK. Nothing broke, nothing leaks, everything is still tight, I never opened the hood to check ANYTHING while i was there. Yeah the chassis needs and is getting some adjustments now, I'm near the point where I am enjoying the fruits of the sacrifices.
Thank you! I am TOTALLY open to suggestions and constructive inputs. I certainly give mine! I give in the event to avoid any oversights. personally I'm so consumed with so much at this point I recognize that I may miss something. I just assume most are in the same boat.
It got damaged the last time I ran the car in it's old 906/446/590 SS spring days. It was donated to a great cause! and with the abilities of a very capable up-and-comer, it's still being put to good use!
Really appreciate it! This should fill in the blanks on a backstory not chronicled in this thread...I bought the car in 1991 turn key from a local guy named James Rose whom became a good friend thereafter. RIP The first trip to the track 'Detroit Dragway' I went 11.05? then James showed me how to drive it... He went 10.99 then I got back in and went 10.91. I worked at Roush and did entry level dyno testing back then but, I really had no appreciable mechanical skills because we were always kept contained within our jobs. It was and still is a very repressive environment. But I did learn dyno testing and tuning. From there, I went to GM where I was able to play in the machine shop once my dyno work was up and running. This is where I met the guy whom helped and inspired me to evolve my skills further, his name is Ross Smith (I understand he helped Pete a bunch as a youth) I took on porting my own heads and ultimately got this car into the 10.40's (105+ in the 1/8th) in good air with the same parts previously described(I was ALWAYS just a test/tuner). I had the car repainted lime green again among other changes. Although Ross was a great machinist and head porter, I learned head porting on my own until I left GM and went to Chrysler from a guy named Tim Connely. I'm getting ahead of myself so, throw a failed marriage in there until 2006 where I was as good a dad as I could be to my stepson whom I coached his teams in a variety of sports. At some point, I got sidetracked by spiritual research and ancient history along the way, and have even lectured on these subjects lol! During these times I helped many friends and ported a few sets of old iron Mopar and Ford. Money was tight and I bought what I could afford but that always got 'upgraded' because the bar kept getting higher. This shxtbox has been fabbed on from bumper to bumper and back again and again as my skills and standards evolved. (There are plenty here who have skills and cars beyond this but, at some point i had to push to finish it.) Many things I paid to be done wouldn't go down the track on every part of this build so, I just pretty much redid things my own with help from friends like Randy Johnson whom I haven't given as much credit as due.
Thanks for sharing this car’s history and your past. It is as enjoyable to hear as it is to see the cars and Engines. Congrats on evolving to such a hgh level of craftsmanship. Really nice.
A little more to the back story: When I first met Sean over 20 years ago I had just joined a car club he was in and we met through a mutual friend. He told us something to the effect of “Hey, why don’t you guys come by and help finish up some last minute things and we’ll take it to the track in a week or 2”. We showed up intending to do some minor wiring and small stuff and Sean was in the car with a sawzall cutting the old rollbar out, lol. I’m glad that he’s finally starting to enjoy it! Hopefully before the snow flies we can get a good pic of both of our cars on the track together!
Looks Awesome! Whats your geuss on weight? Mine was 3100 lbs with me in it.
I HOPE less than 3000 WITH me but it's probably going to be nearer your weight Bob. Anyone want to guess??? I have MF tube front/coil overs, light brakes all corners, fglass dash, 2x3 rear clip 4-link and all assoc. brackets anti-roll Dana tube floors glass hood bumpers and decklid, 10gallon cell, Dbl beadlocks 10x33.5 M/T, 40 spline gun-drilled, Std 78 case 12V battery in rear. Tube steering column, ALL windows are lexan .125", 8.50 cert cage, mid-plate, PG trans with JW bell... I probably weight 150/160ish
I just did a quick 'wet' full 10 gal gas tank etc. but without me weight of the car and I don't believe it, honestly. 2530lbs total no pass seat, no parachute. Rebco 4 corner scale I warmed it all up then zero'd weighed the car and rechecked zero. BTW my hoodscoop with inner tray was 7lbs.
Because it seems the updates to the car are being posted in other threads, I was sort of hoping at some point this one could be saved in the Member Projects forum
Reason being, supposedly pictures will stay live in that area forever (which means until the site owner stops maintaining it).....wheras in the other regular forums the pictures have a tendency to go dead after a few years
Of course, if it is on any other board besides the Unlawfl board 99.9% of racer type folks will ignore it, but it might get 'exposure to a new audience' so to speak.
Because it seems the updates to the car are being posted in other threads, I was sort of hoping at some point this one could be saved in the Member Projects forum
Reason being, supposedly pictures will stay live in that area forever (which means until the site owner stops maintaining it).....wheras in the other regular forums the pictures have a tendency to go dead after a few years
Of course, if it is on any other board besides the Unlawfl board 99.9% of racer type folks will ignore it, but it might get 'exposure to a new audience' so to speak.
Just thinking out loud
Thanks Rich! I just grabbed/bumped the latest relevant thread to 'update' for context. As long as I've been a member of Moparts, it's probably a shame that I'm not real familiar with areas other than "Unlawfuls" Is there something I can do to move this entire thread? EDIT Scratch that...I know the classifieds pretty good too!
Because it seems the updates to the car are being posted in other threads, I was sort of hoping at some point this one could be saved in the Member Projects forum
Reason being, supposedly pictures will stay live in that area forever (which means until the site owner stops maintaining it).....wheras in the other regular forums the pictures have a tendency to go dead after a few years
Of course, if it is on any other board besides the Unlawfl board 99.9% of racer type folks will ignore it, but it might get 'exposure to a new audience' so to speak.
Just thinking out loud
As long as I've been a member of Moparts, it's probably a shame that I'm not real familiar with areas other than "Unlawfuls" Is there something I can do to move this entire thread? EDIT Scratch that...I know the classifieds pretty good too! lol
Pretty sure a mod, or Tom, can move this one there.
with help from Gdemon, Dartin and my wife Michelle and thanks to Al for taking a quick tech call as well. There are a couple vids on Facebook. It seems to be working pretty well! I never drove anything this quick but, I felt pretty comfortable pretty quickly.
?
![[Linked Image]](https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/download/Number/411071/filename/cooper.jpg)
