The '64 Chevelle SS tribute build thread

[earthquake68]

I have pictures all over the place in here, so I decided it was about time to put them all in one place to make the following of the build a little easier to keep track of.

This car is being built in tribute to my car I had in high school. We were pretty notorious back in the day. The idea is to build a time machine that takes me back to 1991 whenever I get in it.

So here we go. This is what was drug home just over a year ago.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevelle001.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevelle004.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevelle006.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevelle007.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevelle005.jpg

[earthquake68]

The metal work started and slowly but surely, the holes were filled in.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleproject001.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleproject003.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleproject004.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/003.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/0022.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/0013.jpg

[earthquake68]

The tail panel was especially bad. Some genius used expanding foam and bondo back there. It took a minute to straighten it out.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellebuild001.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellebuild002.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellebuild003.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64chevelle006-1.jpg

I had a spot in the gasket track that was missing, so I had to rebuild that as well.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64chevelle007-1.jpg

[earthquake68]

On to the mud work. I'm still not done, but it's not easy grinding off four paint jobs. (one of which, is Imron)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64progress001.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleprogress001.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleprogress002.jpg

Here's the cool part. My oldest daughter wandered out and was watching me work. When I got down to shooting some primer, I asked if she wanted to do it. To my surprise, she said yes. She's a natural! It only took her a few minutes to get the hang of it. With a little more practice, she could be laying down some nice paint.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleprogress003.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleprogress004.jpg

[earthquake68]

Now that most of the rust repair is done, I moved on to some detail work. My original car was very unique. Back then, I had more time than money. Spray paint was 2.99 a can for the good stuff and elbow grease was free. The car will be white and under the hood will be accented with red.

Here's what the engine will look like.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelle001.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelle002.jpg

I got the car inside finally and the front end stripped off. I've been waiting to get rid of another project, so I had an indoor spot to park the Chevelle. Now we can get busy with it. The build should go pretty quick from here.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64chevelleframe001.jpg

After checking to see what needed replacing and what was still good, I cleaned and painted the good parts and put them back together. ('told you the detailing would be nuts. I drove the original car every day.) You can see what it'll look like now. For using two common colors, the end result is pretty loud. Spray paint has given way to urethane shot from a gun, but the idea is still the same. I can't wait to drive the ole' girl!

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64chevelleframe004.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64chevelleframe005.jpg

[SS Shaun]

good job man!

[earthquake68]

Thanks! I hope to get the firewall ready to shoot soon so I can get the engine and trans back in. Then I'll pick away at the front clip. Jamming and detailing so I can put the car back on the ground. If I sell my '67 Impala, I should have the money to get this one mostly done. At least moving under it's own power.

[Hotrodcort]

Look'n good! Love the 64's my all time favorite!

[shadowgray396]

Looking great, nice metal work on the car.

[earthquake68]

More progress. The firewall is white! I normally have more progress pictures, but this is going to be a fast build, so there's only going to be a few freeze frames of the action along the way.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellefirewall001.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellefirewall002.jpg

[earthquake68]

I hit a snag today. I got the radiator support painted and the engine and trans set in the frame. I got the wrong engine mounts, so I'll have to get the long style. It seems to me I had this same problem when I built the first car. The trans mount lined up perfect. As soon as I get the correct mounts, I can bolt it in there and start putting pieces back on the car.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleengine001.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleengine002.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleengine003.jpg

[earthquake68]

I got a little more progress on the Chevelle today. I'm having a problem finding solid mounts for it, so I made some wood mounts to get my engine height right to fit some things while I locate the right mounts for it. Here's where I landed today.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/002.jpg

[Ms Grumpy]

It is really neat to see the progress of the past year in this thread. Isn't it amazing thinking back to when you got the car to where you are now. Yeah, yeah, we all think we are going to be further along on the build, but there are always those nasty speed bumps that slow us down, looking for parts, making things fit, extra body work, it never ends. That must be why they call us car nuts !!!

I love the fact that your daughter came out and helped you. Now you know if you teach her how to paint that it won't end there. "Hey daddy, I want a car" will be the next step. lol

I do have to say that I like the red block and I like the red pin stripe on the firewall too. I think it is cool looking.

[earthquake68]

Thanks! The red pinstripe is actually a masked off graphic that I sprayed on. Back in the late '80's and early '90's, Chevy's advertising campaign was "The Heartbeat of America. Today's Chevrolet". The graphic was supposed to represent the Chevelle's heart was beating. My front license plate said, "The Heartbeat of America. Yesterday's Chevrolet". :D

Funny you mention the car thing. I own a hotrod shop so there's always projects coming and going. A couple weeks ago I sold a '53 Ford Kustom and drug home a '61 Bel Air. Cora, (the daughter pictured) fell in love so I gave it to her with the condition that SHE be the one to do the work on it. She's already rebuilt the carburetor on it and is motivated to have the coolest car in the high school parking lot next year.

Here she is with her car the day after I drug it home.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/006.jpg

Here's an action shot of her rebuilding the carburetor. I think she's scraping the gaskets here. Check out the intensity! :D

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/64chevelleframe003.jpg

[shadowgray396]

So what year Ford PU in the back ground. I had a 74 and loved it. Gas was cheap back then.

[earthquake68]

It's actually a '79, but I back-dated it to a '77. I like those grills better. I told ya there's always something cool floating around. :D

I'm building a full custom '66 Ford for a guy now and trying to find time in between everything else to finish up my wife's 'Vette. The '66 Ford pick up will appear stock when it's done. It's actually an '85 Bronco that I skinned with a '66 Ford long bed. The looks of a '66 with cruise, tilt, A/C, power disc brakes, 4 wheel drive with a soft ride suspension, power steering, etc.

[earthquake68]

I got the front filler panel, the upper grill support and grill braces prepped and painted today. I'll get the radiator support reassembled tomorrow and get a picture. It's starting to look like a car again!

[earthquake68]

Here's pictures of where I am today. I wire wheeled all the hardware, chased the threads and anti-seized everything. If I have to take it apart again, it should be easy.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleradiatorsupportdone004.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleradiatorsupportdone005.jpg

[flash]

Its looking great ,keep up the good work and keep us posted on your daughters project .

[earthquake68]

I just ordered the front end parts for the Chevelle. Hopefully, I'll have everything cleaned, painted, new parts installed and back on the car by next weekend. I'm starting to get excited.

[earthquake68]

WooHoo! ball joints and bushings got here yesterday! I should have the springs and shocks today. She should be down on all four again soon! :D

[shadowgray396]

WooHoo! ball joints and bushings got here yesterday! I should have the springs and shocks today. She should be down on all four again soon! :D


Moving right along, although I don't think it will go very far on the wood blocks for motor mounts. Lol

[earthquake68]

Moving right along, although I don't think it will go very far on the wood blocks for motor mounts. Lol

I have to make a steel run on Monday or Tuesday, so I'll have them before too long as well. ;)

[earthquake68]

I got the passenger side suspension and steering back together. I ran out of steam and didn't get the driver's side back together. I have to order the brake stuff as well.

I'll get a picture or two tomorrow.

[Ms Grumpy]

Alan, you are tiring some of us out with everything you have been able to do. I hope that finding the right steel to replace your "wooden blocks" is an easy venture.

[flash]

I wish I had the time and knowledge to do what he is doing .

[earthquake68]

This is an easy job compared to some of the customer's jobs I have to do. All I'm doing is cleaning, painting and reassembling with new parts.

One of my customer's is having a Ford truck built. It's actually an '85 Bronco, skinned in a '66 Ford long bed pick up. About 60% of that truck had to be hand fabbed.

My dad just ordered a '23 C-Cab street rod. The ENTIRE truck will be hand fabbed on that one. Just a simple restoration is a welcome change of pace.

[earthquake68]

Here you go. Progress from the past couple days.

I may have gone a tad overboard with detailing the suspension. I kept having to wash my hands so I wouldn't leave fingerprints on the control arms.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64chevellemounts001.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64chevellemounts002.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64chevellemounts003.jpg

I got my engine mounts made too. Not perfect, but not bad.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64chevellemounts007.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64chevellemounts008.jpg

[earthquake68]

Here they are painted and installed. They may not look perfect, but they fit perfect. All the angle problems from the bought mounts are gone. It's official. The engine and trans are bolted in. (except I need to buy new through bolts for the mounts.)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64chevellemounts009.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64chevellemounts010.jpg

[RBeckman]

Alan,

I can tell you, I would not want to detail that car.....black hides so much.

[earthquake68]

Alan,

I can tell you, I would not want to detail that car.....black hides so much.

...and I swore to myself that I was just going to hose down the frame with semi gloss black and call it a day. I couldn't help myself, though. I just kept taking things apart and cleaning and painting them. Before I knew it, I had done everything I said I wouldn't do again. :D

This is EXACTLY how the car I had in high school looked. For me, it's quite the time machine.

[earthquake68]

I'm picking away at the metal work. This car looked pretty straight when I bought it, but there was a lot of questionable body work done under the paint. Yet another reason to strip the car and start over when you re do something.

Here's someone's idea of a filled hole for the radio antenna. They just backed up a 1" hole with masking tape and bondoed over it.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellefender001_zps10ab3047.jpg

Here it is with all the bondo knocked out.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellefender002_zps2dbe3a4e.jpg

And here's my idea of a repair. 18 gauge steel but welded in and ground smooth.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellefender003_zps0bf08297.jpg

I had to pound out some cellulite that was under some bad body work. It's not done, but it's getting straighter. At least there's no rust to deal with.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellefender004_zps5c1cbe6a.jpg

[shadowgray396]

Excellent work

[earthquake68]

Thanks, Ray!

I got the driver's side fender stripped down the other day. The car had four paint jobs on it, so stripping the paint goes slow. I only want ONE paint job on it when I'm done. The other fender is in MUCH better than this one. I was hoping to have the fenders blown in and re-mounted on the car, but I don't want to rush it. I'll make sure they're right when they go back on.

[tunes]

I'll look forward to seeing your '64 when it hits the streets. Be sure to bring it up to the Steak n Shake cruise in Springfield.

[carpoor]

Wow, never seen masking tape used. That's really shoddy. Great repair work though! Growing up, my friend's father used to use silver 200 MPH A/C duct tape, and the green bondo you buy from Advanaced Auto. It was laughable... I remember going home and telling my father about his "repairs." He was speechless, and simply shook his head in disgust.

I totally get that not everyone has the skills or means to do a quality job, but damn... some things people attempt are doomed from the moment they conjure up a hair-brained idea.

[earthquake68]

I'll look forward to seeing your '64 when it hits the streets. Be sure to bring it up to the Steak n Shake cruise in Springfield.

Will do! In the mean time, you're more than welcome to come down to the shop and visit! :D

[earthquake68]

I got a few more things done today. The driver's fender is straight and in primer with the edges cut in and I got the fender wells painted. I almost have the front clip done! :D

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellefenders003_zpsd2d08a29.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellefenders005_zps9bcda867.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellefenders007_zps4556bea3.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellefenders008_zpse34f351c.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellefenders009_zps166d5e19.jpg

[shadowgray396]

Looks great, like the pin stripe on the fire wall.

[earthquake68]

More work to the Chevelle. This is downright spooky. It's been 20 years since I looked into this engine compartment. I'm still looking for the original car, but this one is SO close to how I had the first one.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleenginecompartment001_zpse6ffe9d6.jpg

[Stormer]

Very nice, good luck in your work, and keep the pics coming....

[earthquake68]

Thanks!

I started getting the hood squared away today. The brace underneath had some bad spots, so I took care them today.

I'll just let these go at "Before and after"

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellehood002_zps8287910d.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellehood003_zps4d174ef1.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellehood004_zpsef54eb64.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellehood005_zps0b647932.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellehood006_zps6f04df94.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/64Chevellehood007_zpseb9654c6.jpg

I'm gonna flip it over and fill the center chrome strip holes as well as the letter holes on the top side. The chrome isn't in great shape and the original car had them filled as well.

[earthquake68]

I got the hood cut in today, too. I didn't want anything to happen to it, so I spent a couple hours and lined up all the front end sheet metal so I could bolt the hood back on. It's moving right along. :D

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Whitechevellehood001.jpg

Here's the area with the repairs I made. I didn't bother to do any filler work since it's under the hood in the back. This is just steel, primer and paint.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Whitechevellehood002-1.jpg

[flash]

Looks good from here .

[shadowgray396]

Looks very nice, so what did you do about the rust under the parts you fixed? I would be worried it might start coming through on the top side of the hood.

[earthquake68]

Rust underneath? I'm not worried about that little surface rust. I guarantee most hoods look like that under the brace. I just hosed it down with spray paint and welded it up. It'll be fine. The only reason it rotted in those few spots was the squirrel or mouse nest that was jammed in there. I cleaned all that out with compressed air before I surfaced prepped everything. Besides, I don't plan on it getting very wet from here on out. :D

[earthquake68]

We're supposed to have a warm spell this week, so I plan to get some more body work done on the Chevelle. It's really moving along now. I should be cruising by spring time. :D

[Ms Grumpy]

I was checking out the fall leaves underneath the hood. Wondering how long do you think that your weather is going to hold out for you to continue working outside.

[earthquake68]

The past couple years we've gotten an indian summer. I'm guessing I have a week of warm left before I have to work in my over crowded garage. :D

I'm gonna shoot to get the jams and inside the trunk painted along with some bodywork on the rest of it. I want to be able to roll it out in the spring and shoot the outside on the first warm day if I don't have a pole barn built by then to paint in.

[earthquake68]

I got a couple pictures with the hood on. Slow on the progress because I've been sick lately, but always striving to inch forward.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellehoodon001.jpg

The gaps look pretty good, too!

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellehoodon003.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellehoodon004.jpg

It's almost a whole car again!

[shadowgray396]

Looking very sharp.

[flash]

You have come a long way ,cant wait to see more .Keep the pics coming ,I wish I had your talents .

[earthquake68]

I got the trunk jammed in and under the deck lid painted today. I'll wait until I re-mount the deck lid to take a couple pictures. I want to spray some speckle paint in the trunk too. That way I don't have to open it again until I wire the car. One more piece of the puzzle.... :D

[Hotrodcort]

Look'n good! Keep up the great work!

[earthquake68]

I finally got something to post. I got my wheels cleaned up and put on.

Here's how I got the wheels. A set of four for $120.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/002-4.jpg

Cleaned and polished.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/001-8.jpg

New tires and on the car. Oh yeah, ...I remember this car! :D

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellewheels001.jpg

I'm gonna end up taking a half or a whole coil out of the front springs, though. I ordered stock small block springs not even thinking that the whole top half of the engine is aluminum.

[SS Shaun]

what did you use to get those wheels so clean and nice looking?

[earthquake68]

I wet sanded them with 400 grit sandpaper to get all the rough machining lines and pits out of them, then used Mother's mag and aluminum polish on them. They aren't perfect, but they sure look good for a $130 set of wheels.

[flash]

Those wheels turned out great ,how long did it take you per wheel ?

[earthquake68]

It took a couple hours for each wheel.

[SS Shaun]

I wet sanded them with 400 grit sandpaper to get all the rough machining lines and pits out of them, then used Mother's mag and aluminum polish on them. They aren't perfect, but they sure look good for a $130 set of wheels.

i don't think i need to sand mine but they do need a really good cleaning. here is what mine look like right now
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n271/civiclxb16a/chevelle/2012-12-08_17-58-43_433.jpg

[earthquake68]

Just polish them. See if you can score some Simichrome. (really hard to find) If not, Mothers mag and aluminum polish is the best I've tried so far.

[Nitro]

Simichrome can be found at most motorcycle shop. I've never seen anything that polishes as well!
Nitro

[earthquake68]

I finally got an update to report!

I just placed my next order for parts. It's the stuff to get the engine running and the rear suspension parts I need.

[flash]

Keep on pushing and you will get there .

[earthquake68]

I got a solid day in the shop. Things are getting closer to being able to fire it up. Here's where I landed today.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleengineprogress004_zpsdab2247a.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleengineprogress005_zpsd0a2685d.jpg

[shadowgray396]

Looking great, although you need a different color distributor cap. Lol

Blues for a ford. Love the build. You have make a lot of progress on it.

[earthquake68]

I just bought a black cap for it, but when I took this one off, it was never used. Brand new brass terminal cap and rotor. I can put up with a blue cap for a little while. If it really bugs me later, I'll paint the cap. :D

I got new rear springs and shocks for it too. They haven't made it on the car yet, though. As soon as my DD sells, I'll order the wire harness and brake stuff I need.

[flash]

Looking good ,glad to see you got time in the shop.

[tunes]

You're making good progress, Alan. It won't be long before the cruise-ins start.

[earthquake68]

I got the plugs and wires on yesterday. I have to locate a passenger side manifold before I can start it. I have a few places I can look. It's just a matter of getting off my lazy butt and going to see what I can find.

[earthquake68]

Wow! I scored huge today!

I've been eying up a '64 four door parts car on "the list" for about a year now, but the owner and I could never get a deal going. Well, someone else bought it a few weeks ago. He promptly cut it up for parts and listed them.

MAN! Did I ever score!

I got the front spindles with all the brake parts still attached, the washer bottle and mounting bracket, a drive shaft, the gas tank and sending unit, all four arm rests, the passenger side exhaust manifold, and a power steering gear box. I paid $250 for everything!

Tomorrow I plan to order the wire harness and brake hydraulic parts I need. Then all I have to do is put it together! It should go pretty quick from here.

[flash]

Congrats Alan ,cant wait to see the progress .

[earthquake68]

I'll have more pictures tomorrow. I ordered the wire harness and bunch of other stuff today.

...gettin' closer.

[earthquake68]

Here's the pictures as promised.

Here's my new drive shaft. Cleaned up, painted and new u-joints.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelletrunk001_zpsf48845d8.jpg

And here's the shot I've been promising about inside the trunk. I finally got the trunk speckle painted today. It turned out well, but it was a lot more involved than I thought it would be. It's also a lot more toxic than anything I've ever used before. I can usually put up with any kind of paint fumes, but this stuff is nasty.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelletrunk003_zps67f0138b.jpg

...and this is my passenger side exhaust manifold. This turned into a disaster quick. I wanted a three bolt flange manifold without any A.I.R. tube bosses or a flange for a heat stove or heat riser. Such a manifold is extremely rare. I found one, but it was broken into three pieces, had three bad studs and an extra boss for a single A.I.R. tube on the front cylinder. After 5 hours, I can use it. Whew!

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelletrunk004_zps35abc153.jpg

[flash]

Im glad youre making progress on yours ,Im not motivated yet .

[earthquake68]

Well, I got a little further on the Chevelle today. I got hung up a little actually attaching that manifold to the car. Even though I had it bolted tight to a spare head while I was welding it, it moved around a little as it cooled and I had to make some adjustments to it to get it mounted on the engine. It's all good now though. I got the trans cooler lines bent up and installed today too.

The wire harness should be here in a day or two and I can start to wire the car up and think about starting this sucker!

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelletranscooler002_zps3e295b08.jpg

[earthquake68]

I just placed one of the last orders for parts for the Chevelle. ...all the brake stuff. After this, I just have a few odds and ends to get from here. I have to buy a flex fan, spacer and exhaust parts. ...I think that's it. Everything else on the car is already new. :D

Maybe I can have it ready to go in a few weeks when the warm weather hits. At least, that's what I'm hoping.

[shadowgray396]

Class A looking job. ZGoing to be one nice Chevelle.

[earthquake68]

Thanks, Ray! Little by little.

[Rattler]

Car is looking fantastic! Great work on it. I love my 64 SS.

[earthquake68]

New brakes!

I got three of the four wheels done today, but I kept getting interrupted. I hope to finish up the last wheel tomorrow and get everything bled out. I replaced the master cylinder, all four wheel cylinders, front and rear brake shoes, all three brake hoses, front drums, and ran the steel lines to the front wheels. I also cleaned and painted the drums while I was at it.

Here's a couple quick shots of the progress.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellebrakes001_zpsf6aae66d.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellebrakes002_zps85d00a55.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellebrakes003_zps2c7fab89.jpg

[flash]

Looking good .

[shadowgray396]

With that motor you have, I think I would be leaning toward disc brakes on the front and a power brake booster. Looks good, hope it stops for you.

[earthquake68]

Ray. It stopped ok in 1964 with this system. Besides, the 327 I built 20 years ago did ok too. ....and I really want to keep my aluminum slots and disc brakes won't fit behind them. :D

Also, ...I don't have anything left to prove to anybody. I don't plan on wringing it out like I did the first car.

[shadowgray396]

I'm sure it will stop just find. Cars going to look great.

[earthquake68]

Thanks! I think it'll be fine on stopping power. As I said, I don't plan on doing many power slides or reverse 180's with this one. :p (I was a teenager and bullet proof when I owed the first one)

[earthquake68]

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

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. :D

[Ms Grumpy]

Alan, I think Ray was really trying to help. Before I redid my brakes it took me quite a distance to stop my car. And there were so many close calls with someone in a little Escort, or car about that size, that would cut you off and then slam on the brakes. Now that I have pretty much the same brakes that I have my Astro Van, I can stop on a dime. We just all want you to be safe, from all the other crazy drivers out there.

[flash]

I dont drive that bad Ms Grumpy ,not all the time .

[earthquake68]

Oh, I know he was just looking out for me. I hope I didn't come off as ungrateful or mean. That sure wasn't my intention.

If I ever find a disc brake conversion that fits in these old 14" slots, I may convert it over a little later. I'm just happy I have a nice pedal now and I'll be able to take it for a spin when I get it running. No need to worry, I don't intend on driving like a fool with this car. I have manual disc brakes on my daily driver pick up and I regularly tow a car trailer that doesn't have trailer brakes. I try to leave as much room between me and the guy in front of me as possible.

[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.

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

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. :D

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. :D

[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. :D

[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! :D

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.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/chevellegastank001_zpse46f65f7.jpg

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. :D

[shadowgray396]

Looking good. Always nice to keep making progress.

[earthquake68]

I'm down to the nitty gritty now. I need to rebuild the carburetor and put exhaust on it and the mechanical stuff is done. I got all the missing brackets and linkages made this weekend.

Here's what I got done.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellebrackets001_zps544a22eb.jpg

From left to right is the trans shifter linkage, throttle linkage, e-brake cable bracket, trans shifter arm, and kick down cable bracket. All these were made from scratch from raw stock. They fit and look nice. (I think)

[earthquake68]

I put my pieces for the Chevelle on this morning. Everything fits perfectly. Since the car has the original center console and floor shifter, I wanted to keep that, but it's for a 2 speed power glide and I put a TH350, 3 speed automatic in it. The linkage I made makes it possible to use the factory shifter, but it goes into all the gears without issue. The throttle linkage, kick down cable and e-brake bracket all fit like factory units as well. I'm a carburetor rebuild and some fluids away from driving this thing.

[earthquake68]

I fixed the carburetor. Who does this stuff??!! Somebody swapped the metering blocks front to back so the primary block was in the back and vise-versa. One of the accelerator pump diaphragms was in upside down, one accelerator pump arm was bent, wrong jets, clogged squirters in a "rebuilt" carb, etc, etc, etc. I can't imagine why it didn't run right on the other guy's car. :rolleyes:

I have a few things to fix, like a couple leaks and and some odds and ends, but man, does this thing ever sound good. It doesn't show in the video, but this thing is LOUD!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=621uz0qQ7-k&feature=youtu.be

[flash]

WOW ,that sounds mean ,it wont be long now .

[earthquake68]

I wanted to have certain things done when I began to wire the car. I THOUGHT today was day I was going to get started. Well, that didn't work out. I got all the inner fender extensions in and the headlight buckets. I figure all the electrical components should be in the car when I wire it, so I keep bolting more stuff to the car and keep running out of time at the end of the day to get started on the actual harness. :rolleyes:

Anyway, today I actually got the harness out of the box and intended to mount it in the car, but I discovered I needed to fabricate a mounting bracket for it. (non-stock unit)

So here's what happened today.

I got the headlight buckets mounted.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleinnerfenders001_zps376f20c9.jpg

I got the inner fender extensions in.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleinnerfenders002_zps9844d581.jpg

I got the battery tray mounted.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleinnerfenders003_zps3b140821.jpg

...and the battery where it belongs.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleinnerfenders004_zpsbf739efc.jpg

And finally, I got the alternator cleaned, painted, and installed with a new belt.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleinnerfenders005_zps6a49824d.jpg

I'm so close, I can taste it!

[earthquake68]

Oh, I forgot to mention I fixed my leaks too. The coolant leak was the t-stat. When I put it in, the T-stat itself slid a little so it wasn't seated in it's groove. The fuel leak was a bad flare in the hard line. Both my fault. I guess I just wasn't paying attention when I did them. Oh well, it happens. They're good now, though.

[flash]

You have been very busy ,keep it up.

[shadowgray396]

That is looking sharp. We all waiting with our fingers crossed for you, for the big day. Don't rush it make sure everything is ready before you fire it. .

[earthquake68]

That is looking sharp. We all waiting with our fingers crossed for you, for the big day. Don't russ it make sure everything is ready before you fire it. .

I already posted the video of it running. I hot wired the coil. A few posts ago I put the link up. It sounds pretty darned good too! Sometime in the early part of next week I should be able to take it for a drive. (yay!) :D

[earthquake68]

Finally, ...FINALLY. I started to wire the car. I got most of the engine wired in, the fuse box mounted and all the wires roughed out to where they go. I think I can have it done tomorrow. (There aren't too many circuits in a stock[ish] '64 Chevelle.)

Here's everything roughed in.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellewiring001_zps770f94b7.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellewiring002_zps0b59b457.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellewiring003_zps010d08cf.jpg

Since I'm not using a stock harness, I don't have to use the bulkhead connector on the back of the fuse block. This allows me to better hide the wires for the head light and engine harness and give me a cleaner look.

[shadowgray396]

I remember it running a while back, just waiting for the big start up in the car with everything hooked up.

[earthquake68]

I remember it running a while back, just waiting for the big start up in the car with everything hooked up.

Ha! Me too! :D

I need to mount the front and rear glass so I can take her out for the maiden voyage when it's wired. That's the reason I put off wiring it until the end. I want to drive this thing!

I have a slight leak in the trans at the kick down cable. I may just do a service on it and replace the cable completely. I DON'T want ANY leaks under this car. So far, I've gone through quite a bit to keep this thing dry underneath.

[earthquake68]

Today I started to really make headway with the wire harness. .....and then I ran out of connectors. :mad:

Anyway, I did get it to start with the key and got the headlight harness under the hood finished up. A trip to the parts store tomorrow and I can have everything working.

[earthquake68]

Well, I guess I should of expected this. The Chevelle has been sitting for so long, NONE of the electrical components are any good. ALL of the bulbs, ALL of the switches, ALL of the motors are bad. I'm wiring away and go to test things and nothing is working. What the......? I test the wires and everything checks out ok. Then I ohm the switches and components and nothing is working. :mad:

I got so upset, I set the control arms and tightened them up, then dropped the car off the jack stands and pushed it outside. I fired it up (with the key switch which works, amazingly enough) and dropped it drive.

Yes. I drove my Chevelle to the corner and back. In the process, I scrubbed about 1,000 miles off the back tires. :D Horsepower is DEFINITELY NOT a problem. Man this thing goes like crazy! There's a ways to go with it before I can drive it any distance, but I don't have to push it around anymore.

[earthquake68]

I got some parts in for the Chevelle this week. I have headlights! I'm still dragging my feet getting everything else working, but it's getting there. Slowly but surely.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleheadlights001_zpsd08ebb88.jpg

Here's everything wired under the hood. I tried to hide all the wires as best I could.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleheadlights002_zpsbf28da8e.jpg

[flash]

That is one clean engine compartment ,you are doing a great job.

[earthquake68]

Thanks, John. I'm trying my best. :D

[shadowgray396]

I agree very clean look.

[earthquake68]

I still have to mount the wiper motor, but I'm going to drill the fire wall under the motor so you don't see the wires. I may also get different plug wire looms to clear up the top of the engine a little more. The blower motor is a similar set up. The fire wall is drilled behind the fender the rest of the wiring is under the dash, out of site.

I don't plan on running in the rain much, but even if I do, the holes are grommeted and sealed.

[earthquake68]

The weather has finally broken and it's getting warmer. I'm gonna take a break from the C-cab project and get back on the body work for the Chevelle. I hope to wrap up the Chevelle in the next 5 or 6 weeks.

This is what's been taking up my time recently. It will be a 1923 C-cab delivery when I'm done. The parts I bought are the engine, trans, rear and front axle. Pretty much every other part was fabricated. The spring was bought, but the perches, shackles, mount and frame were all made in house.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/C-cab%20Build/Cabchassis001_zpsc67187e2.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/C-cab%20Build/Cabchassis001_zpsc67187e2.jpg.html)

[Ms Grumpy]

Alan, I have to agree, that is one clean engine compartment. It is nice to hear that you got to take her for a drive, no matter how you got her started. I can't wait to see what you do with the C-cab.

[earthquake68]

Alan, I have to agree, that is one clean engine compartment. It is nice to hear that you got to take her for a drive, no matter how you got her started. I can't wait to see what you do with the C-cab.

No, it starts with the key now. :D Pretty much the only things not hooked up to the harness are the lights. Since I don't have separate ground wires for the parking lights or tail lights, I want to wait until it's painted to finish it off. I didn't want to put the lights in and the bumpers on, just to finish wiring it, so I could take it back apart to paint it. This week is supposed to be nice, so I'm gonna get nuts on making it white. Once I get color on it, the rest should fly by to get it done. I want it completed by June 1. It may end up going to BJ or Leake over the summer. We'll see.

[earthquake68]

Today I got the roof stripped down, a few rusty spots welded up in the windshield track and a coat of primer on the roof. I need to locate new clips for the windshield trim and get the glass glued in. Once I do that, I can move it to a friend's shop for final prep and paint. It looks like my June 1 goal could very well happen.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleroof002_zps44de9305.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleroof002_zps44de9305.jpg.html)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleroof003_zpsecdeb594.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleroof003_zpsecdeb594.jpg.html)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleroof004_zps53448236.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleroof004_zps53448236.jpg.html)

The primer looks funny because my pressure regulator took a dump and I couldn't get a pattern on my gun to save my butt. I hope to have it down at my friend's place by the early part of next week. ...It looks like another round of parts I have to order to keep my deadline. .....It's only money, right?

[flash]

Its getting closer .

[earthquake68]

The wife threatened me with divorce if I SELL the Chevelle. How's that for strange? She says getting a house can wait a little while. I AM NOT to sell the Chevelle. I always knew she was special. :D

[earthquake68]

New glass will be here Thursday. Windshield clips will be here Friday. I hope to have it at my friend's place the early part of next week.

[shadowgray396]

Don't set your glass until the last thing. Much easier to do any work on the car with the glass out. The front and back glass was the last things I did to my car. Also test fit all your moldings for the windows now. If you need to do any work around the window to make them look good, now is the time to do it.

[earthquake68]

Ray. Thanks for the heads up. I didn't really do anything to windshield frame, so it should be ok. All I did was fix a couple small rust holes in the bottom of the channel. The rear glass will be the challenge. The filler panel was replaced before I got the car, so I'll take special care to make sure everything fits. I already did some panel alignment back there, but I have more to do before I glue the glass in the back.

I got the passenger side door done today. I got the four paint jobs stripped off and the mud work done on the door and rocker. I just have to strip and resurface the driver's door and hood. (the gold areas)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelledoor002_zpscc48a4c1.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelledoor002_zpscc48a4c1.jpg.html)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelledoor001_zps3d089fe8.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelledoor001_zps3d089fe8.jpg.html)

[shadowgray396]

I didn't really do anything to windshield frame, so it should be ok.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelledoor002_zpscc48a4c1.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelledoor002_zpscc48a4c1.jpg.html)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelledoor001_zps3d089fe8.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelledoor001_zps3d089fe8.jpg.html)


Remember GM didn't fit things all the great. That's why check everything, trim pieces, bumper alignments, etc. Once paints on it it's to late. Looking good. Looking forward to seeing some paint on it.

[earthquake68]

Yeah Ray, I know that all too well. It took 3 hours to get the sheet metal in the front lined up. I have a good gap around the windshield (at least I do with THIS windshield) I'll make sure the new glass fits, too. The rear glass is the tricky part. The opening itself looks ok, but gap is a little funky. I'll have to play with that a little to get it the way I want it.

This ain't my first rodeo, either. I've replaced all kinds of quarter panels, roofs, floors, etc. This won't get final primer until it's ready. I'm moving along on it, but I'm NOT rushing it.

Check out some of my other stuff when you have time. This is my shop's FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Performance-Inc/226006434099195?ref=br_rs

[earthquake68]

Another thing to consider. This was a whole car when I got it. All the parts were already on the car and lined up. I shouldn't have to do major surgery to get it back together. The really nice thing about this car is all the panels except for the passenger side fender and the rear filler panel are original to the car and in nice shape.

[earthquake68]

This was great, but a kick in the teeth at the same time.

I finally found the same tach I had in the first Chevelle. Since Sun got bought out, it's next to impossible to find a actual Sun tach. Well, I found one today! Woo Hoo!


I found it in an antique shop. ......I feel old.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/newtach001_zpsb64efe57.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/newtach001_zpsb64efe57.jpg.html)

[carpoor]

I feel kind of old looking at that picture too. Quite a few of my past cars had one of those mounted to the steering column with a large worm gear clamp.

[earthquake68]

I feel kind of old looking at that picture too. Quite a few of my past cars had one of those mounted to the steering column with a large worm gear clamp.

HA!! ...and that's where this one will be tomorrow! I can't wait! :D

[earthquake68]

I got the new glass dropped off for the Chevelle today. Another piece of the puzzle.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Alicesnewwindshield002_zps9cd353a9.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Alicesnewwindshield002_zps9cd353a9.jpg.html)

....I also got the tach mounted and most of it hooked up. I kept getting interrupted while I was working.

[flash]

The pieces of the puzzle are looking good .

[earthquake68]

Well, I was hoping to have a picture of the working tach to show everyone. The Sun tach is shorted and doesn't work at all. I got an off brand tach that looks like the Sun piece. I had to take that all apart and fix the selector switch before it would work at all. (and it was brand new in the package) It still works a little flaky, so I just ordered a new Moon Eyes tach and maybe, just MAYBE, ...that will work like it's supposed to. :mad:

[earthquake68]

I got my new Mooneyes tach yesterday. I was all excited to open it and check it out. I was REALLY disappointed to find out I spent $70 on a Taiwan tach. Don't we make ANYTHING here anymore? :(

I've also been getting the run around on my windshield clips from the supply house here in town. First, it would be three days. That turned in to a week, then it was two weeks, now it's another two to three weeks. I just broke down and ordered the kit from Ground up. So close to driving this thing and I can't catch a break.

I'm still hoping to have it done by June 1st. I'll just have to hustle when I get the clips in.

[earthquake68]

I've been sidelined lately with a really bad back, so the work I've been getting done is big stuff. I did score a set of original 327 fender emblems from a friend of mine. They were dirty and faded like most of them are these days, but after a little polish and some model paint, they look pretty darn good. Check it out....

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellefenderemblems005_zps2b0d30e6.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellefenderemblems005_zps2b0d30e6.jpg.html)

I'm trying to find little things I can do to keep progress rolling forward. If my back heals up soon, the car is going to jump forward very quickly with progress.

[flash]

I feel for you on the back problems ,mine has been giving me fits the last 2 months but I have not been able to give it a rest yet.

[earthquake68]

Mine's been jacked up for about a month now. This weather is not helping. Every third day it rains and I can't catch a break. I had to stop since I couldn't walk yesterday. :( Through the miracle of modern chemistry, I feel decent today. I just have to take it easy for a couple days, then light duty for a week or so. .....that should be easy in a metal fab shop. :rolleyes:

On the upside, I got my new windshield clips today! Woo Hoo! :D

[earthquake68]

After much tweaking and shimming and adjusting, I got my windshield glued in today. Now I just have to repeat the process for the back glass. .....gettin' closer!

[flash]

Keep on plugging along .

[earthquake68]

Rear clips in. Rear glass glued down.

.....on to the exhaust system. :D

[carpoor]

What have you got planned for the exhaust? Are you going to copy what you had 20+ years ago? Or going with something else?

[earthquake68]

...Sort of copy. I'm going to build my own mufflers. (because I do that now instead of buy them) I have stock manifolds like the first car and it'll have 2 1/2" pipe like the first car, the only huge difference is this car will have tail pipes instead of side exits in front of the rear wheels. The engine and the mufflers will give this car a little more aggressive note than the first car had.

[carpoor]

You know, sometimes I wonder why more people don't build their own mufflers. The straight through, preforated core design flows well and is painfully simple. Are you going to incorporate and X or H cross over?

[earthquake68]

No. Separate duals all the way back. I do a few different style mufflers. These flow really well and give it a nice aggressive tone. I can't wait to get them on the car. It doesn't take much to get the exhaust to quiet down.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Miniturbomuffler001_zps299731cc.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Miniturbomuffler001_zps299731cc.jpg.html)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Miniturbomuffler002_zps4bae2daf.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Miniturbomuffler002_zps4bae2daf.jpg.html)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Miniturbomuffler005_zps394e14a0.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Miniturbomuffler005_zps394e14a0.jpg.html)

I left my welding helmet at my buddy's shop so I had to weld them together with my eyes closed. (That's why the welds aren't very good)

[carpoor]

I'm kind of curious as to why you wouldn't take advantage of an X or H crossover?

[flash]

I have never seen anyone make their own mufflers ,how cool is that ?

[earthquake68]

Thanks, John.

Carpoor. I have exhaust manifolds and smaller pipe on an engine that should really be breathing. I'm absolutely NOT looking for peak performance out of this car. If that were the case, I would have set the car up completely differently. It's supposed to be as close to the car I had in high school as I can get. I'm pretty sure Hooker super comp headers and 2 1/2" pipe with a X pipe and Flowmasters would give an extra 40 horsepower. ......but that's not what I want. I want my car from high school.

[carpoor]

Totally understand, I just see too many "stockers" pick up from a well-designed X pipe set up. I too am rocking stock manifolds on my 72', I have a mandrel bent 2.5 system with an X crossover. I don't expect it to be mind numbing fast, just trying to eek out every last bit without headers, a radical cam, aftermarket heads & intake manifold, etc, etc...

[earthquake68]

True duals have a very different sound than the ones with an x pipe. It's a little rattier sounding, I think. I like that sound.

[carpoor]

Very true, my Monte Carlo has a distinctive, almost rasp to it. My father's green 72' SS 454 had an H crossover, it sounded more refined - despite having chambered mufflers vs. the turbo mufflers on the Monte. My 2000 Z28 had 3" duals with an X, it had a specific ring to it in the upper rpms. Cannot wait to hear how my car sounds. Blowing through stock manifolds, 2.5" mandrel bent system with an X, Summit turbo mufflers, Pypes stainless replica SS tips.

Please find a way to post a sound clip or two of your car when the exhaust is done.

[earthquake68]

Will do. That was already in the plan to let you guys hear the new exhaust. :D

[earthquake68]

Well, here you go! The video is horrible, and it doesn't do the sound justice. These mufflers make the car sound amazing. I love the tone in them. They have a slight ring when you turn it up high, but from past experience, that will go away as they get broken in. I'm extremely happy with how they sound.

http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellenewexhaust001_zps1ea11996.mp4.html?sort=3&o=0

[flash]

That sounds pretty Badass .

[earthquake68]

Thanks John! A set of tailpipes and it's ready for state inspection. I should be on the road in a week or two.

[carpoor]

Vid isn't working for me, guess I'll try later. ::shrug:: I was all excited to hear it too.

[earthquake68]

Maybe you need a photobucket account to see it? I'll post a video to Youtube when I can get it outside and get a better video.

[carpoor]

I have one, was even logged in. ::shrug::

It just worked for me though. Has the "popcorn machine" idle like my 2001 SS did. ;)

[earthquake68]

It's amazing what a little back pressure will do to wake things up. This car is violent. I took it up the road again today. Wow! This thing runs good! :D

[earthquake68]

A little more work today. I have tail lights! :D I finished out the harness in the back and got the fuel sender hooked up, tail lights and brake lights, my tach is in and working, speedo is working, headlight switch mounted, wire run to where the tag lights will be, and the power is run to the dome light. I still have to run the ground side of the dome light. (the hard part)

The bummer for the day, though. I found out 12:1 compression and a high torque starter are particularly hard on a stock flex plate. I was fiddling with the throttle linkage then went to start it. With the extra fuel in the engine, the engine kicked back on the starter and knocked some teeth down on the flexplate. :(

I guess an S.F.I. unit will be in route next week.

[earthquake68]

WOO HOO!

I got my car back together with the new flexplate today! :D No more grinding starter.

[flash]

Congrats .

[flash]

Any updates ?

[earthquake68]

I've been going nuts in the shop, so it's taken a back seat for a few days. I've been fabricating parts for the C-cab and doing paint work on a '51 Chevy. In between jobs, I've been doing repairs on normal cars.

I'll have some updates to post in the next few days. I want to get some mud work done on the hood this weekend and maybe throw a coat or two of primer on those panels that are bare metal now. About 90% of the body work is done. I'm definitely falling behind schedule, but I had bills to catch up on, so I had to do some paying gigs. :D

[earthquake68]

I finally got some progress to show. I got the bodywork roughed in on the door and hood and a coat of primer down. The only thing left to do is the driver's door. Then I can do the fine tuning on the surface work and get some color on it.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellehoodprimer001_zps4d05d8a6.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellehoodprimer001_zps4d05d8a6.jpg.html)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellehoodprimer002_zpsd1b13cca.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellehoodprimer002_zpsd1b13cca.jpg.html)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellehoodprimer003_zps576cd334.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellehoodprimer003_zps576cd334.jpg.html)

[flash]

Its looking very good .

[earthquake68]

Well, I THOUGHT I just had the driver's door. :( I had about 14" of the quarter panel to finish up, so I wasn't really counting that. Of course under that 14" of quarter panel was a disaster waiting to be found. Some jack hole used a screw type dent puller on a badly damaged area, Instead of fixing it, he created more problems than he solved. The whole area was warped and oil canning. ....BAD. I just gave up and cut that area out and welded in a new patch. The rest of the panel looked like a Ruffles potato chip. It's just about fixed now, though. What a nightmare that "quick surface prep" turned into.

Here's what I found....

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellequarter001_zpsebbf2aa5.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellequarter001_zpsebbf2aa5.jpg.html)

It's hard to see, but the metal is still badly dented. The filler was about 1/2" deep in some places.

Here's how I left it....

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellequarter003_zps60a14e65.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellequarter003_zps60a14e65.jpg.html)

This was the worst spot. I should've cut the entire quarter panel off with how wavy it was, but I don't have the time or money for that. Some dolly work and some filler got it straightened out to an acceptable level of quality.

Onward to the door. The last panel that needs attention.

[earthquake68]

I'll get some pictures today of the quarter panel. I finally got it straightened out yesterday. Ugh. Now the only panel that needs to be fixed is the driver's door. :D

Then the fun begins of primering and blocking the car until I'm sick of looking at it.

[earthquake68]

As promised, here's the shot of the quarter panel after primer.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellequarterprimer001_zps0b6b9000.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevellequarterprimer001_zps0b6b9000.jpg.html)

[flash]

Looking good .

[earthquake68]

I finished all the mud work today! WOO HOO!! All that's left is surface prep, sealer and color. I'll get some pictures of what I have so far in a few days when I get some primer on it. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. :D

[earthquake68]

ONE COLOR!!!!

I got the car all in one color of primer. A few more coats of primer with some blocking in between and it'll be ready for some color.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleprimer002_zps2a4a90d1.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleprimer002_zps2a4a90d1.jpg.html)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleprimer003_zps3e096d75.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleprimer003_zps3e096d75.jpg.html)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/earthquake68/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleprimer004_zpsc27b017e.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/earthquake68/media/1964%20Chevelle%20SS%20build/Chevelleprimer004_zpsc27b017e.jpg.html)

[RBeckman]

I love those old style rims

[shadowgray396]

Looking good. Looks like everything is lining up very nice.

[earthquake68]

Ray, I still have some work to do at the bottom of the fenders to get them lined up, but other than that, it's coming together nicely.

[carpoor]

Alan, hope you are OK. It's been a long time since you've posted an update.

[shadowgray396]

I was also wondering what was going on with the project