'66 Ranchero and intro

[Gitanesteel]

It does look clean, congratulations. I good first project to cut your teeth on is converting your master cylinder to a dual bowl type. Even more important since a new driver will be behind the wheel soon.

As Kenny said, keep us posted on your progress.

There is a Ranchero Enthusiast Group based in Seattle. They do not have a web presence but I can forward the Presidents Phone Number to you if you are interested. They may have some lines on parts for the 66 and newer Ranchero items.

Thanks - great suggestion on the dual bowl master cylinder. The current one has a small leak. I will say the car has been parked for a week an nary a spot of oil on the concrete. That's encouraging.

Right now it's a matter of rear suspension (shocks), the door armrest, tune up - even though it runs real good after getting warmed up it can't hurt. I don't know when the plugs were changed. It'll be a year before he gets his license (assuming he pulls his head out with school) so we have some time.

I'd love the contact information for the Ranchero Enthusiast group. It can never hurt to develop contacts on both the Falcon and Ranchero front.

[Jeff W]

I'd love the contact information for the Ranchero Enthusiast group. It can never hurt to develop contacts on both the Falcon and Ranchero front.

I just sent you a PM with Russ's contact information. I didn't want to post here due to spambots and all the other tech stuff I don't understand

[Luva65wagon]

Very unique Ranchero. I like the 289 3-speed column shift. Last year for the Falcon-based Ranchero as the next year went to the Fairlane body style. Although, technically, if you look at 70 Falcon and a 70 Ranchero, they were the same front ends.

Anyway, welcome aboard and I second the dual master cylinder upgrade. Get a M/C from a '67 and the swap is really pretty painless. In the meantime hopefully the E-brake is one.

[SmithKid]

Welcome. Always nice to see an additional Ranchero. I'll add my voice to the dual MC change-over. Keep us posted with the ongoing projects. Remember, we like pictures, lotsa pictures.

[dhbfaster]

Welcome....and those wheels and hub caps look pretty sweet to me. Need to sell your son on the retro look and tell him it will be worth a bunch of money some day.

[Gitanesteel]

Just a little update:

Got the car back from the mechanic today. Had some serious leaks and realized most of the gaskets/seals were dried or cracked. Had it at the mechanic for a rear main seal and decided to have them go for it all. They pulled the motor, cleaned and painted it and replaced all seals, the master cylinder and the original nylon timing belt to a timing chain. Looks great and drives great.

Will be getting some 14" wheels from a seller today and new tires will go on in the next couple of days. Then my son gets to learn to drive it.

Before:



After:

[SmithKid]

Good job getting it all cleaned up under the hood. It feels so good when you see it doesn't it?

But....... PLEASE change that MC to a dual unit (much safer!!).

[pbrown]

That engine is looking very nice. I like the original air cleaner. You should paint that to match the darker engine color. You can get replacement 289 stickers.

Don't let Jeff see that master cylinder. Looks to be a single circuit unit.