Those rims don’t look as bad as some I’ve seen, but yeah, I’d definitely go smaller. Looks like a clean starting point.
MONTE CARLO Introduce Myself
- Thread starter 86blacksupersport
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Good luck to u both, that's one helluva project ahead of you. My dad and I shared the mechanical restoration of my 64 1/2 Mustang back in '81. A daily driver, it went up on blocks every weekend for 3 yrs. 6 cyl, 200 sprint, 3 spd, all original, Prairie Bronze/blk int. I could literally climb in the engine bay change the oil, the oil filter and do mechanical changes from the top. It was an AWESOME car & project...... I loved that car!!! It was a great learning experience about a cars mechanics.Names John, my son (he's 15) and I recently bought this 86 Monte Carlo SS for a project car. We like the body style and the power potential. The Monte has 58K original miles and is mainly stock, no rust and very clean. Only; wheels, alarm, stereo and speakers seem to be custom.
We joke how it looks like a drug dealers ride but, we're changing the image of the car to a street performance image.
Our plans;
Ditch the 22" wheels, upgraded suspension and steering components, LS3 or Blueprint 383 with EFI, auto 4 speed or manual trans, rebuild the rear end and restore some of the car's door decals.
Everyone has hopes and dreams for their new cars but, one thing for sure; the 305 and that 200R4 must go! We have an LS3 long block now for a different project, and as soon as our garage is built we'll contemplate our engine and trans options.
John.
Marc, thanks for sharing your experiences with your father. Dad sounds like a great guy. I didn't have a father like that, sadly. Everything I learned about cars and being a man learned from my friend's father and my grandfather.
My son and I have spent a lot of time somewhat restoring our Chevy truck 4x4. He likes learning how the Chevy truck operates. I think it's because the Chevy truck is so basic, so simple to understand and super easy to work on. For instance, when we upgraded to a high-energy ignition from a points ignition, he was able to understand every aspect of what we were doing. He was impressed by the noticeable power gains the HEI and a tune-up provided. Good results help feed his interest.
Our truck
Monte Carlo update:
I ordered the Yearone N90 wheels. I have the 22" up for sale; no bites yet.
My son and I have spent a lot of time somewhat restoring our Chevy truck 4x4. He likes learning how the Chevy truck operates. I think it's because the Chevy truck is so basic, so simple to understand and super easy to work on. For instance, when we upgraded to a high-energy ignition from a points ignition, he was able to understand every aspect of what we were doing. He was impressed by the noticeable power gains the HEI and a tune-up provided. Good results help feed his interest.
Our truck
Monte Carlo update:
I ordered the Yearone N90 wheels. I have the 22" up for sale; no bites yet.
Welcome; unlike the majority here, I like the wheels on the car. 22s allow the car to still perform as designed, and with tires average around 28" tall. Most guys at the dragstrip run 28" tires on G-bodies too.
The 22" gives the car a tough modern look. Did I hate the look; no. It's just not me.
The issue I have is the ride is rough and the previous owner did not make the necessary adjustments to suspension and wheel wells.
The tires scrape the front wheel wells and the frame ( see pics) if you turn too sharp. Also, he had spacers on top of spacers to offset the wheels. The wheel studs weren't long enough either. I feared the studs shearing and I would lose a wheel while driving; not good.
They used spacers. The wheels don't fit, ditch 'em. Suspension is probably just the old, worn out original pieces; replace it all with new stuff.
Q Dub you're right, the suspension is shot. The shocks are garbage and who knows what else. I plan on r&r the suspension and steering soon.
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