Chevrolet Chevelle Forums - 1972 Chevelle Malibu Sports Coupe

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1972 Chevelle Malibu Sports Coupe - VA (Build Thread)

Trying to get her back out and about after sitting for about 15 years. My Grandpa bought it new, passed to my Pop, given to me as high school graduation present (in really rough shape). I drove it for years, but the trans finally blew from all the abuse and I figured I better let it sit for a little while as opposed to getting arrested for street racing all the time or upside down in a ditch. Life, deployments to Iraq, kids, and all that nonsense took over and she just sat... and sat... and sat... Someone felt it was necessary to steal my alternator and crank bolt off her while sitting in my shed. Twat Waffles!

1972 Chevelle Malibu
71 z28 350
th350 trans
69 Chevelle 9 bolt rear w/ 3:08 gear

Somewhat original, needs lots of love.

This is when I drug it out of the shed for the first time in 15 years.

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So the interior was FREAKING FILTHY! After sitting in the shed for so long it was just a wreck. To top it all off, apparently I left the window cracked, so I had to clean about 30 gallons of leaves out of the floor. The steering wheel is definitely going bye bye. It's a 1990 Chevy Cavalier steering wheel. Not going to fit the 70s theme at all. Took about an hour with hot soapy water and lots of elbow grease.

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Thank GOD for kick butt friends. My brother from another mother and fellow club member, Leaky Paul hooked me up big time. 2 Holley 600 CFM carbs, 2 carb kits, 2 crank bolts, and 2 brand new rally rims complete with new BF Goodrich Silvertown red line tires and all the trim rings with beauty caps.

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Here's an old picture from the early 80s with the Chevelle in it. Hard to see it, but this is the only one I could find right now. If I find some better ones I will post them. Yes, that's me in the Dukes of Hazzard t-shirt. This one was taken at my birthday party at the local Burger King.

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Got her to fire up for the first time in 15 years. She only runs off of carb cleaner for now. I suspect all the varnish in the system from sitting so long has the whole fuel system gummed up. I bought a new fuel pump, new OPG tank from summit, and a new sending unit.

YouTube Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g-R...tNWvsPumDZ4BWQ

Changed out the stupid 90 Cavalier steering wheel in favor of a cheap Grant wheel.

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Looks much better ,whats next ?

I ended up deciding to replace all the fuel system in favor of cleaning the tank and blowing out the lines. It was going to cost $100 to clean and re-line the tank, might as well spend $30 more and get a brand new tank. So I went with OPG stuff, actually ordered it through Summit. Got the tank, sending unit, lock ring with gasket, new straps and bolts. Next I need to get under there and drain everything, then go grab some new line from the parts store. Guess I'm going to need a line bending tool as well.

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The original fuel line can only be replaced with the body raised up or off the frame. So most likely will need to reroute it some in the back area. Since it's been sitting for so long your brake lines most likely will need tp be changed out along with all the rubber hoses before you every drive it. Basically it will need a complete brake job. Body wise it looks like may need some rear quarters or at least patch panels. Most damage comes from around the rear window. Are going to try to do a frame off or on or just get it running again for now?