Toronado.org

Here are a few photos of the progress. I haven’t worked on it to much this winter. It’s been too darn cold! Hopefully I will get myself motivated to get back out there soon.

Funny how the greeny-blue looks very light in this pictures. I am going to install a 67 dual snorkel air breather instead of the stock 68. I have made a few alterations to accommodate the switch over. I used valve covers from a 67 425 instead of my 68 455 covers. I also had to slightly modify the 67 breather by cutting out an piece from a spare 68 breather I had and welding in place on the 67 breather. Basically it’s an indentation on the bottom of the breather. The 68 has three indentations on the bottom while the 67 only had two. The third indentation on the lower right helps clear the brackets for the AC compressor.

As you can see I also disc the disc brake conversion.

A couple more

That looks GREAT; the disc brakes are a must. Just add an HEI & internally regulated
alternator, will not regret. Bruce Roe

Hey Brucester,
I was seriously contemplating doing both of your suggested upgrades. I usually always upgrade and use beefed up alternators. Usually because I add an aftermarket stereo. This time I’m not adding a stereo so I just had my original alternator rebuilt at the max of 55 amps I think. I have also decided not to add an HEI ignition at this time, perhaps at a later date.
I’m becoming saturated with toys. I have my Merc and my Toro ripped apart and now I bought a GMC Motorhome. I’m thinking the GMC may start being the focus of my limited funds once I finish my 68 Toro. I would like to add a stereo and some other improvements mostly for handling and long term reliability.
I may have to jettison a toy eventually. Trouble is I can’t imagine selling my Merc as it is in truly amazing condition. Then I love the Toro, in fact I think I prefer driving it over the Merc. It’s a tad smaller and drives oh so nice. But the Merc is oh so cool at attracts a lot of attention at car shows.
Thing is we may start using the GMC more than the both of those.
Only time will tell I guess.

I'm told, the old style alt can damage an HEI; never tried that combination.
If you think YOU have too many projects, just visit over here. bruce

Sure Man! Well come down and see you in the GMC...were's here? lol..

Chazzer wrote:Sure Man! We'll come down and see you in the GMC...were's here? lol..

I'm just west of Rockford, IL, 61084. 15 miles off I90. Bruce

A nifty alternator replacement is to get an alternator from a 1988 Chevy Caprice with the Olds 307:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/ULT0/010381/01468.oap?year=1988&make=Chevrolet&model=Caprice&vi=1037089&ck=Search_alternator_1037089_2538&keyword=alternator

Then get yourself a conversion kit. This link has the kit for our cars (keep in mind our alternators were externally regulated so choose carefully, IIRC you need the Delco DN to CS - Part # W315CS)

http://www.qualitypowerauto.com/catalog.php?item=81

I did this and never have any issues with my dual electric fans or EFI computer. The voltage now stays rock solid at idle. Highly recommended!

I suppose there could be a conversion wiring kit for the late 70s/early 80s
alternator. All you really need is to hook up the 2 small wires to the alt,
after throwing away the mechanical reg and related wires. The wire from
the GEN light goes to alt pin1; a wire from where the bat cable starts
splitting up to smaller loads (sense wire) goes to pin 2. I couldn't wait
to get rid of that extra troublesome, radio interfering stuff.

I did my 62 the hard way. First converted from a gen to an alt which means
wiring a different mechanical reg. Then in the 70s converted it to an
internally regulated alt.

Project of the month is an 18,000 watt grid tied solar array, 11' high by
126' high. Foundation done, this pic very early in a sun day. 72 panels
waiting. Bruce Roe

Man, you are busy Bruce.