EVC

Back in early 1970 we were in Japan and ordered a "Plum Crazy" colored 1970 Dodge Challenger .. Two days later we saw a forest green Monte at Japanese dealer, complete with buckets seats ,fender skirts and black vinyl top … We immediately returned to the Base Exchange and switched our order for a mid summer delivery of a green Monte to Reno Nev… We paid about $3100. back then Does anyone know how many Green Monte's were made… The two shades of green were very popular. Never liked green refrigerators though … Still prefer white..

Tomorrow is a new day…

Today was a special day,,,,, Today was Veterans Day and I drove the GREEN ONE to breakfast with my son … It was a very special day because she got a new look with her shiny new wheel rings and caps to celebrate her age and miles. Also on this special day,,,, I proudly, and for the second time, helped her thru that magic 100,000 mile mark. She now has 200,000 miles and still wrinkle free... Yeah!!! ,, This chick has been around and seen some rough roads, but she always takes me safely home. At the age of 54, she's seen at least 40 states, traveled a lot of old roads and she makes no excuses for her chips and imperfections… She's a lady when left on cruise,,, but hell on wheels at the stop light. Most of all she is mine…. 200,000 more miles to go baby. Ed C

In my humbled opinion, you have the finest looking (non green) Monte on this site, raised letters included… Ed

Thank you Joe and all who have served our country. Today is that very special day when my son and I have breakfast at Beale AFB with the young men and women at the base dining facility. It warms my heart to see that these young people have done such a miraculous job of picking up the reins and supporting our country. We're expecting our Grandson to be home from deployment with the Marines at any time. … I'm hoping he'll be there as big surprise …. Ed.

Thanks Paul, It was you who started me to rethink the derby cap idea. … The add on Amazon wasn't clear to me if the would work on the MC wheel, but they turned out to be a perfect fit and the quality is excellent… Ed C

I agree with you on the black walls. In my opinion , nothing is more visually repugnant than cheap quality raised letter tires on a Monte , especially 235/15 tires (As other have said,,, "to fill the wheel well " ???? )… To me they look like navigational anchor buoys that should be in the lake. In my opinion, The Monte is too dignified for that. May as well put "POP CORN" ceilings in your home... I wouldn't put BIG O, Coopers or BF Goodrich raised letter tires on my Monte if they were free. These Tiger paws are fairly new and will probably be replaced with black walls in a couple of years.

Needs a gun turret on the top.

Maybe fatter tires ? Then the great grand kids could use them in the pool on weekends.

Finally decided on this wheel combo, I wanted to drift away from the stock rally look and without spending a ton of money for new rims. The smaller beauty rings were in my junk area and I spent about $100 on Amazon for the smaller derby caps. Both are excellent quality. I've really never been totally fond of the stock rally combo, especially with raised letters or black walls. I'm hoping this will look good with either the WW, Black or raised letters, giving me a wider range of tires to choose from… I decided on the dark paint because it blends well with the darkened windows… I've had the side windows dark for over thirty years and so far the cops haven't said anything. Even got a speeding ticket about ten years ago and nothing was said.

USAA has been good for me for the past 5 years. I have no loyalty to any insurance company. Shop around. My Daughter thinks State Farm is her friend… They only charged $2400 per year for their new Polaris side by side. True ownership of these companies would surprise most of us. Another discussion for another time.

I believe the bracket is a better fix than replacing the bolt, especially for a vehicle used for heavy towing.. There is a lot of heat at this location. Mine broke off even with the head and would have been a nightmare to fix.

Not to interrupt, but if this is an LS engine there is an easy fix. On the back of the head is an extra bolt hole. There is a reach around piece of cast metal that will bolt to the rear of the head and it has a bolt on the front that will torque and hold to the required specs. It's comes as a kit and I believe you can get it on Amazon… I did my wife's Yukon about three years ago and it works. This bolt on the corner has a propensity for breaking because of the heat and being over torqued.. I believe it needs to be torqued to about 10 to 15 ...lbs. Most people over torque because it sounds ridiculously low.

I used to do this to my old 54/56 Mercury's and 56 crown Vic. Speaking of throwing parts,,,, It solved the problem and was a lot cheaper.

It's usually the weakest link that wears first. Hopefully it'll be a simple fix and it's the tie rod ends and center link. Start here, but check all of them. Any movement on any joint will magnify itself at the steering wheel.

I recently replaced the tie rod ends and center link on mine. Everything else was in great shape. I'd get an opinion from an alignment shop. It could be many things contributing collectively…

Did you pay extra for the tiger paws ?

I Installed the wheel trim rings I found in my junk. Thinking about a some chrome lug nuts and calling it good.

Original engine 20 over….. 041 heads… 273 gearing with 700r4 tranny. Edlebrock intake and carb…. Both square bore with no adapters…. It made a big difference for me. Don't recall the numbers on the Cam , but it's a mild torque and does most of its work between 1000 to 4500. We live in hill country and it's great set up… I can drive anywhere in the Sierra's and stay below 3000 rpm. It's a long story, but I tried using a roller cam twice and they never lasted beyond the first oil change.

Back on the subject of wheels… Does anyone recognize these beauty rings… After purchasing several different sets and designs, none fit properly or looked right on the Monte. Yesterday,,, I recalled having a set from years past and found these in my barn… The date stamp indicates they are over 30yrs old and probably no longer available… Three of them are almost perfect, but this one needs to be polished. Judging from the design, they are obviously quality rings and far superior to the junk I've tried so far… I like the clipping mechanism and they fit into the rim like they were made for it. Unlike other after market trim rings, the cutout for the valve stem is a perfect fit…. They look natural on the Monte and show more of the rim… I'm still not sure where I'm going with this. I'm trying to modify the look and still blend with the cars age and patina…. If all else fails, I'll put the original caps and rings back on and not spend $1500 for some Gawd Awful rims that out shine the car…. …. I'll post pics later.. Ed C.

Drove to Reno again yesterday (223 miles round trip, Summit racing), and used 10.4 gals, 89 octane, always with Lucas additive… Avg cruising speed was 60 to 75mph, reaching 80 twice. Cruising rpm was 1800 to 2150… Never went beyond 2600... Doing what she was designed to do, give 21mpg on the open road, idle like a kitten at 700rpm, and roar like a lion when needed. Hank likes it…

I took these pics of my TV screen while watching the TV Series movie "Tulsa King" staring Sylvester Stallone…

Personally , I've always thought Coker was a rip… They keep jacking the prices as long as you're willing to pay….. I'm running 215/70s tiger paws and they look great on my car. BTW… My Speedo is now 100% accurate with the 215's. They actually ride better than the 225s and 235s. Tires are available and the BF Goodrich label is just that…. A label ...

$ 1700 is too rich for my wallet.