The '64 Chevelle SS tribute build thread

[shadowgray396]

I'm not offended, they do make disc brakes for 14" wheels. I just remember my truck with brake drums all around and how scary it was to drive after I put a V8 motor in it to get it to stop. My Chevelle stops mch better just using synthetic brake fluid verses the dot 3 fluid.

Originally Posted by earthquake68

Woo Hoo! Another milestone in the Chevelle saga. I finished the brakes and bled everything down. WE HAVE WORKING BRAKES!!!!

Next on the list is to cut the front coils down and install the new rear suspension stuff. After that, I start wiring the car. We're very close to taking this thing for spin.

....I'm getting excited.

Conrats it won't be long now for that first ride.

[earthquake68]

A good day of progress today. I got my new heater core and blower motor in. Then I got the coils cut down.

I took a coil and a half out of each one which dropped the front end about 3". That sounds like a lot, but keep in mind it was pinned against the bump stops before, so now it's about normal to an inch lower than stock. It sits nice, but I have to get some more alignment shims. My camber went a little positive after I lowered it. It's still better than the 3 degrees of negative camber I had before.

I hope to get the rear suspension done tomorrow, but it looks like it's gonna be a busy day in the shop. As soon as the rear suspension is in, I can start to wire the car. ....getting closer.

[earthquake68]

The rear suspension is in. It has a pretty serious rake to it now, but according to my calculations, with the gas tank in and full, it should have a pretty sweet stance. That's tomorrow's project. Then I can start to wire it. I think I'm pretty close to going for a ride.

[flash]

I cant wait to hear about your first trip around the block ,soon,real soon.

[earthquake68]

More good news for the day!

I got the gas tank in and new rubber lines on. I didn't have straps or hardware, so I had to make them. I could've ordered new straps, but they aren't terribly complicated and I wanted to mount the gas tank, NOW!

I didn't get to detail the back as much as I would've liked, but I'm in "get it on the road" mode now. I'll detail underneath it next winter. I have to make some throttle linkage and shifter linkage. Then all there is left to do is rebuild the carburetor and wire it. Here's how under the back of it looks.



I'm still gonna clean and paint the control arms, so it won't look horrible like it does now.

[carpoor]

Have you done anything to the rear differential? Gears? Posi?

[earthquake68]

For now, it's a stock 3.08 open end. That'll get me around for a while. I'd like to find a 12 bolt for it, but if I can't, I'll stuff this one with a posi carrier and 3.55 gears. I'm basically just biding my time to see what comes along. In the mean time, I'll be able to drive it.

[carpoor]

I wonder if a mustang 8.8 has the upper control arm eyelets in the correct location? Those are dirt cheap and easily adapted to almost anything. I paid $125 for the last one I bought, 3.08 posi. Picked up a nice set of used 3.73's with a spare posi for $75.

[earthquake68]

Even if the eyelets are in the right spot, (which I don't think they are) they aren't at the right angle, so it wouldn't work anyway. It's easy enough to put eyelets and lower control arm mounting brackets on a 9" for an A body. I'd just rather have a 12 bolt under the car.

I got most of the linkages made that I needed today. I still have to finish the shift linkage and come up with a bracket for the kick down cable, but then I can wire the car.

.....and start it.

[shadowgray396]

Looking good. Always nice to keep making progress.