Thread: 34 3 Window Re-Build

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I have been hanging around here for a while now and have been convinced to start a project build thread. Some of this story has been told here and on other forums but I will give a short replay.

I bought the coupe in 1966 just a few months after I bought a new 66 GTO; in fact towed it home behind the GTO. In 1968 my brother totaled the GTO coming home from a going away party the night before being shipped off to V.N., he received only a few cuts and bruises and shipped out the next day. Out came the sbc running gear I planed on using for the coupe and in went the 66 GTO running gear after buying it back from the Ins. co. for $300. Did the build myself with what little money, skills and tools I had at the time. The most elaborate tools I owned was a 185 amp ac buzz box and Sears air compr. Built what mounts I needed using scrap metal I found laying around and the buzz box. The B/W pic, about 1968/9, shows some of the rear mounts made with that scrap. The next pic is a color photo of the finished coupe about 1975. The paint I did myself with that Sears air compr. Those are the only pics I have found of the first build, must of left the rest with the X. Will show some pics of the re-do with the next post.

Jack.

Found another pic of the before start of the re-do. Part of the reason of the need for a re-do. That snow pic was sometime in the late 70's or early 80's. The other 2 pics are of the frame after the body was first pulled off a few years ago and shows the frame before the new Xmember. One shows the Muncie M20 with my first try at a top loader type shifter on top of the new Auto Gear case. The last 2 pics is of my latest attempt of a top loader type shifter, it works pretty good but needs more refining.

Neat pics Jack!!! What's the plans for the rebuild on the coupe??? That shifter looks very intriguing, very nice work!

Hi Dave,

The plans are many, some already done. New X frame, frame boxing, Unisteer rack & pinion, complete 58 Buick front brake set up, adjustable rear triangular 4 bar and some others mostly done, pics to come. Some wiring, new brake lines, fuel line, fire wall started but not complete. Also started some body work, not much rust repair, but need some fender repair work. Will need complete upholstery re-do. Also working on a new dash with TPI gauges.

Jack.

Well, that should certainly keep you busy for awhile! I never seem to get my own cars done for the first time, let alone keep them long enough for the rebuild!

Nice to see the goat rides again. Post some more photos as you go. Looked nice first go round, should be siper this time too!

Thanks guys for the comments,

The re-do started as just a rebuild of the original 389 and to finish the boxing of the frame (discovered a crack in the frame at the end of the first partial box). From there it evolved to replacing the F1 steering box with the Unisteer R&P, to putting on the Buick brakes W/alum drums, to making a new X member, etc. My header states that the coupe has a 461 for power and the 461 is done and ready to go in but for now the 389 is still in it. See pics below.

Dave, although I considered the coupe done the first time around it really wasn't, I'm embarrassed at the way I cobbed it together but being young, inexperienced, raising 4 kids and little money it didn't turn out too bad. At the stage of the "finished" pic of 1975 I had a total of about $1200 in it including the cost of the coupe and the $300 to buy the Goat back, notice the Rally 1's in the "finished" pic.

Stovens and all, as a lot of work was done before starting this thread most of the pics are of the work already completed but as the body is off the frame again and most of the assembly disassembled again I will try to show some of the processes involved. More pics below.

Jack.

Looks like you're making good progress Jack. Good on you!

Some of the machines used in the re-build that I didn't have the first time around. The close up of the mill shows milling a engine mount to make clearance for the header.

beautiful, my old man had a 34 five window back in what he recalls his hay days in like 1960 at 14 yrs old he loved that car he worked on it endlessly for a year and a half or so, until it was stolen and sold by his big brother cause dad was under age to drive and grandma didn't like the idea of dad having a flat head v8 at 15 yrs old that's what his shop teacher was helping him build, he said it was a lot of odd jobs to get the money for all that fun back when gas was 10cents a gallon. i will see if he still has his pics and post them when i get the chance..

Itoldyouso made a comment on another thread that there was a lack of build posts in this section so I thought I would add a couple more pics. There's not much more to show as I have been working on other projects too. the pics are of the tail pipe hangers I made on the mill using the rotary table and the final choice (?) for the position of the elec. fuel pump. The hanger pic also shows the drive shaft loupe added since my last post. Please excuse the ratty looks of the frame as I have been touching up with primer spots that have been worked on.

Jack.

Jack, this rebuild is VERY cool. What a history being that you have owned it so long and also the relationship you have to the Goat engine/transmission. This thing has to fly! I also bought a new GTO in 66 and was a Pontiac guy for many years.........I love em.

I have never seen a shifter like that. Tell us more about it. We'll be watching your rebuild closely for updates.

Don

Thanks Don,

The Hurst shifter that came with the muncie mounted too far back on the trany and the stick hit the seat in 2nd and 4th so since I now have metal working tools I decided to try and make a top loader looking shifter like one I saw in one of my Rod mags. Not knowing what the internals looked like in the one I saw I have had to make mine from what I think would work. What you see is my third attempt and when I work out a few bugs in this one I will make the 4th and hopefully the last one. All parts are made using the lathe, mill and tig welder.

The best the Goat would do at Fremont Drag Strip in 1966 was 14.99/97mph. That was having to feather the clutch off the line to keep from frying the factory Tiger Paws. The best the 34 did at that same strip with the same running gear was 14.11/97mph. I would hope I will better those times when the 461 is dropped in and I get some traction.

Jack.

I'm going to watching this one having recently purchasing my own 34 5 window coupe.

This is cool, Jack. It must be neat to have one long enough to do a second rebuild. I'm lucky if I ever finish the first!