My new 66 coupe daily driver
12-02-2012, 02:21 PM
#11
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 20
I need opinions please.
This car is all original, never wrecked (been repainted and new upholstery) including the original 289 with 98,000 on the odometer. The engine uses a little oil but nothing major. Leaks a little oil out of the rear main. Probably needs new head gaskets.
My question is would you rebuild the motor and keep everything as from the factory or rebuild it with a some motor performance upgrades? Am I hurting the value of the car by doing this? I have all the paperwork for this car from the time it left the factory in San Jose CA. to today.
This car is all original, never wrecked (been repainted and new upholstery) including the original 289 with 98,000 on the odometer. The engine uses a little oil but nothing major. Leaks a little oil out of the rear main. Probably needs new head gaskets.
My question is would you rebuild the motor and keep everything as from the factory or rebuild it with a some motor performance upgrades? Am I hurting the value of the car by doing this? I have all the paperwork for this car from the time it left the factory in San Jose CA. to today.
12-03-2012, 01:51 PM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: FL
Posts: 37
First, nice car and it's great that you have the receipts! You owe dad at lot for that deal. However, it is a coupe and not anything excessively special, I wouldn't lose sleep over value questions. If you are concerned at all about value, do only things that can be undone. Find a roller 302 and do a mild rebuild, store the 289, do some suspension improvements (shelby drop, roller perches, etc), a few safety impovements and call it a day!
Last edited by smitten; 12-04-2012 at 06:53 AM.
12-03-2012, 04:38 PM
#13
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 149
I agree it's not a rare or even especially unusual car so do what you want with it. I bought my 66 coupe fifteen years ago. It was original at the time. We've changed some things over the years first to make it easier to deal with when I was driving it every day (electronic ignition, better radiator) and later to make it ride better and look better. We haven't done anything that couldn't be easily undone, but we have made it a much more enjoyable car to drive. I'm of the "do what you want to do" school so have fun with it and dont' worry about value.
12-04-2012, 02:09 PM
#15
Foghorn Leghorn
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: I reside in a near constant state of amazment.
Posts: 2,923
Those old 289's are dead nuts reliable and I wouldn't touch it anymore than what you already have with the pertronix (good call) until it was absolutely necessary. Just keep checking the oil.
Drive the wheels off of it and let the good times roll.
Drive the wheels off of it and let the good times roll.
12-07-2012, 03:53 PM
#18
looks great! I say do as you please with the engine its your car just keep old parts if you ever decide to sell. You probably won't and will enjoy the new power you will receive from the upgrades that can be done. I do suggest an exhaust upgrade there are tons of options and preferences but it adds a great tone to really top off a car such as yours.
12-07-2012, 09:59 PM
#19
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Goldthwaite,Texas
Posts: 42
Awesome looking! Like most everyone else said, modify it to YOUR liking but keep the original parts. Most of all enjoy it. Just curious, since it came from San Jose does it
still have all the factory smog equipment? Mine still does and can't decide if I should
leave it on or take it off when I rebuild it.
still have all the factory smog equipment? Mine still does and can't decide if I should
leave it on or take it off when I rebuild it.
