[.97391]

Finally finished all the many little small projects and delayed responsibilities that I wanted to clear up, before taking full responsibility of working on Dads 69. I am now reading a lot about the matter, and got to the point of actual planning on how and where.
My Plan is to make it 100% mechanically perfect as possible, then have it painted by the Shop I dreamed about, a Shop that has been in my Hometown since the car arrived in 1969. The Shop original owner and his son ( new owner ) run the Shop, and the Old man told me he remember the very day when the 69 arrived at my Hometown, and has admired the car since. They agreed to paint it because the trully believe in this Cause, although they realize they make more money working on new cars, my full respect to them for accepting this request.
I want to buy some new tools, specially for cleaning old parts when I do the wrenching, any recommendations are very welcome.
I will start on the brakes, which are in poor performance conditions now. Car “brakes” very scary !!! It has four drums and no power brake. Will remain like that as it was since new. I will be posting photos ans questions and videos, if any one wants to join us on this journey, please do so, it will be very much appreciated. All the work will be done by us brothers and one sister, with our Late Father watching us from Upthere I hope. My phone is 787-951-2951 ( Text only please ), in case any Goat Protectors come by and want to meet us for a couple of beers and some GTO chat !!! Here with my older son who is also a car/bike lover...

 

[GrandTO]

It's good (and rare) when the shop working on your car has some emotional attachment to your dream!
Hope you're going to do a photo record.

 

[.97391]

It's good (and rare) when the shop working on your car has some emotional attachment to your dream!
Hope you're going to do a photo record.

I will post photos and data on this very Thread. Will post my questions on new threads with the Title being the specific Questions to each repair. The car is not just a joy and a dream to me, is much more since I am doing it for the love and respect of our Late Dad who preserved this car, his pride and joy since Zero miles until He Passed. It is kind of a soul feeling because I can never and do not want the car to be mine. We, the three surviving sons and one daughter, will preserve it as His car because we do not feel we trully own it, it is still His in our hearts, we are the Protectors if I may say it that way. Not owning it proves that every drop of sweat and minute I spent, will be out of true love and respect to the Old Man since it is not mine, is ours. My “Crazy Dream” is that we could put the car in a cloud to have it delivered to Dad into wherever he is now, “till then“, we will keep it safe and sound.

 

[ponchonlefty]

that's a cool story man.i wish you success and fun in your journey to honor your dad.

 

[.97391]

that's a cool story man.i wish you success and fun in your journey to honor your dad.

Yes we will, the car will never be dismantled, it will receive small short repairs so we keep it running as much as possible. The car actually runs solid now, the mayor issue is the brakes, and the paint. Thanks for the good words they mean a lot to us.

 

[.97391]

My goal, drive it one our for each hour we work on it before starting the next repair, it will be fun that way. Will post all about it.

 

[Scott06]

I know you said you want to keep it stock but if you want to drive it much would recommend a disc brake kit vs the drums .

 

[.97391]

I know you said you want to keep it stock but if you want to drive it much would recommend a disc brake kit vs the drums .

Thanks a lot. It has been considered already. I really have no idea how bad, or how are this car brakes when good, I never ever drove it before Dad passed away. I know he would not let anyone drive it for that reason, too much power, not enough brakes. But I am not considering ever driving it fast or near other cars, so once I get all the brakes overhauled, and test them, I will not know for sure. I rather leave them alone as Dad never modified the car, but we will see. Thanks a whole lot. I can tell you, now, IS SCARY when it comes to stoping it !!!! I had a V8 CJ5 Jeep with all drum brakes, and it was unpleasant to drive, it was not sweet if I may, I always had to be worried about stopping, specially after riding over water and the drums got wet. Disc brakes will make this Goat to be a sweet dream, also my brother who is a Pro Mech agrees with the Conversion and has no double thoughts, but I am sentimental, the car is so much my beloved Dad, that I think I don’t have the guts to make the decision just yet. If I change them, I will preserve the original parts and never cut or modify anything so it will remain 100% redoable back.

 

[Scott06]

Thanks a lot. It has been considered already. I really have no idea how bad, or how are this car brakes when good, I never ever drove it before Dad passed away. I know he would not let anyone drive it, for that reason, too much power, too unresponsive brakes. But I am not considering ever driving it fast or near other cars, so once I get all the brakes overhauled, and test them, I will not know for sure. I rather leave them alone as Dad never did, but we will see. Thanks a whole lot. I can tell you, now, IS SCARY when it comes to stoping it !!!!

I liked to leave my car mostly stock except for the brakes. This is the second 65 ive owned. The original with working power drums stopped, you just had to plan ahead.. my current car got a summit kit that uses essentially stock gm parts single piston calipers, 11” rotors And dual master cylinder, huge safety upgrade.… somethings are improved over time.

 

[chrisn]

welcome to the madness . i like you are continuing our fathers builds , i wish you many miles and smiles ahead and always remember him when you put the key in the ignition as i will and do

 

[.97391]

I liked to leave my car mostly stock except for the brakes. This is the second 65 ive owned. The original with working power drums stopped, you just had to plan ahead.. my current car got a summit kit that uses essentially stock gm parts single piston calipers, 11” rotors And dual master cylinder, huge safety upgrade.… somethings are improved over time.

If I find the parts for a stock OEM install, I will do the swap. I have been warned many times, and no one will disagree with making the car safer if going to the road for daily use. I will be acting a bit irresponsible by not pursuing the mod. For the safety of others, and avoiding wrecking it and then regreting it, I will do it. Thanks for the respectful and humble advise, you made a difference in this Project, thanks again. The first time I drove it I almost wrecked the car, and that was being extra careful and going slow.

 

[chrisn]

i guess im just a purest mine has drums all around and im not changing it. i started driving with drums all around and will continue , yes they dont stop as well but there are tricks, i look at it like this and was taught this way i bought this antique car to drive a antique car i didnt buy a antique car to drive a new car , i want to experience the old car for what it is and was , but thats just me

 

[.97391]

i guess im just a purest mine has drums all around and im not changing it. i started driving with drums all around and will continue , yes they dont stop as well but there are tricks, i look at it like this and was taught this way i bought this antique car to drive a antique car i didnt buy a antique car to drive a new car , i want to experience the old car for what it is and was , but thats just me

My Respect to you, I feel the same way, exactly like you. But I am changing my mind because this car will be driven daily, and 99.999999% of the cars around me have, most of them, Four Disk and ABS and are better designed for safety and lighter too. It is a responsibility to my fellow man, to protect their children too, I do not want to ruin this car, much less someone elses health or property. I am sold on the swap, besides, whats so nice about having near 400hp and have to drive like a 1959 VW Beetle with 35 hp to avoid crashing. Back then in 69 most cars had Drums, and people knew it, and people stayed away from others knowing that fact, today, people drive like pure maniacs and we shall be ready for their stupidity too, so Im sold, but will keep the OEM parts preserved on crates. Thanks for your point of view, I understand you trully in my heart.

 

[.97391]

Ok tomorrow is the day I start turning wrenches, I am ready to start taking notes on a Log Book, hopefully I can get this Beast back to its full glory....

 

[ponchonlefty]

Ok tomorrow is the day I start turning wrenches, I am ready to start taking notes on a Log Book, hopefully I can get this Beast back to its full glory.... View attachment 163239

cool,take your time and have fun.

 

[.97391]

Looking into some of the Goat memorabilia, I see that Dad got the car exactly on April 7, 1969, in Pennsilvania, brand new, and kept it until he Passed.

 

[ponchonlefty]

Looking into some of the Goat memorabilia, I see that Dad got the car exactly on April 7, 1969, in Pennsilvania, brand new, and kept it until he Passed. View attachment 163245

its fun to investigate the origins and wear and tear on these old cars. looks like you have some cool treasures.

 

[GrandTO]

Looking into some of the Goat memorabilia, I see that Dad got the car exactly on April 7, 1969, in Pennsilvania, brand new, and kept it until he Passed.

Over half a century ago! Pretty well preserved temp registration tag.
I wanted to mention this with your initial post. But, got enthralled in all the different conversations going on with your endeavor.
I think you'll find even a small sandblasting cabinet will come in handy for this as long as you have access to a decent air compressor.
Has been invaluable to me over the last few years.

 

[.97391]

Yes man definitely a SB is a dream !!! I once fully restored a CJ5 Jeep, and my Job Site allowed me to use their SB Cabinet during off work hours, it definitely was GREAT !!! I am getting one, a very small one for parts of less than one foot square or so. This first Chapter is two things, Revovering every single part that belongs to the GTOs, and fixing the brakes so I can drive the car Home from Dads Home, ( 4 hours ), then I will be actually restoring stuff, a SB is A MOST !!! The reason I want to fix the brakes first, is that the car will not be stopped for repairs, it will be kept usable, no job should take more than a week so I can go back riding it next weekend, thats my goal and only way, otherwise I will not do it.

 

[geeteeohguy]

Have driven GTO's as daily drivers for the past 45 years, all with 4 wheel drum brakes, manual and power. Never an issue, except with the single pot '65 when I blew a rubber hose and lost the brakes in 1985. Down-shifting and using the E brake saved the day. Drums will lock a wheel as good as a disc....if it's a rear parking brake, better than a disc.
Agree discs are better for continual performance driving, but only in the fronts. No need for rear discs on one of these cars unless it is on a roadrace track most of the time.
Both of my current GTO's are 4 wheel drum brakes and I've had them and driven them 41 and 40 years.