70 Chevelle Restoration

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stbabs
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8:36p, 2/28/19
AG
Engine painted and transmission attached.

If the motor mounts come in it'll be sitting on the frame tomorrow.





The painted valve covers are temporary for the engine painting. Chrome will go on after the engine goes on the frame. Ditto for the Edelbrock intake.

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Dr. Doctor
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9:14p, 2/28/19
lb3
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11:12p, 2/28/19
AG
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Duncan Idaho
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10:24a, 3/1/19
Silvy
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10:45a, 3/1/19
AG
You can get a Beijing posi unit for a 12b for $370, you'd only have to check backlash for that.
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Centerpole90
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5:59p, 3/1/19
AG
Does this 12 bolt have posi? If not, I vote you go with Silvy advice and add it now.

I know from experience. I just finished my C10 and stuck with my 10 bolt for the same reason you chose to go to a 12 - it had the gear I wanted; so I just swapped axles to get 5x5 wheel pattern. What I didn't do was put in the posi because I was in a hurry... and I'm regretting that now. So if this 12 isn't posi, please do it now.
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stbabs
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In reply to Centerpole90 • 12:01a, 3/2/19
AG
Didn't get a chance to pick up the 12 bolt today. Hopefully soon. If it's not a posi, I will make it so.
Supposedly it came from an SS Chevelle so it's likely to be.

When I finally get the 12 bolt I'll confirm the ratio, check for wear/damage, replace parts if necessary, blast, epoxy prime, paint and install.

Not much progress today. Learned that the bolt holes of the flex-plate we'd already installed didn't match the torque converter. Ordered another flex-plate. Hopefully the engine will be on the frame Monday.



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stbabs
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8:11p, 3/4/19
AG
Was able to find a good axle. The code was stamped on the passenger side of the axle about 8 inches from the differential housing.

Code breaks to 3.31 positraction. Built 10 July 1970 in Buffalo NY. Usually the code is 3 alpha characters but occasionally they stamped only 2. CCF or CF = 3.31 ratio.





Blasted tomorrow, painted Wednesday, replace seals Thursday, on the frame Friday.
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stbabs
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7:51a, 3/9/19
AG
Several frustrations this week. Lots of work but little progress.

Good news is the 12 bolt turned out great. It's ready to hang.

Not so good:

The original rear training arms are bad. Bolt holes are elongated from 40 + years of wear. New ones ordered.

Mounting the engine: Had to replace the lower engine support bracket (the part that bolts to the frame). Mounts are different for a big block (car originally had a 350 and I'm installing a 396 BB. Got the upper part, bolted to the engine and tried to join the two parts of the mount. Bolt holes wouldn't match. Parts guy had given me the wrong engine mount. Grrr!!!

Took the mounts back to the unnamed parts store. The counter guy checked the part number against his data base and told me, "These don't fit a 70 Chevelle. They fit a 68 or 69 Chevelle." To which I gave a resounding "No S - - T!!"

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TxSquarebody
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8:49p, 3/10/19
Be sure you tell the guy you need the 2wd mounts, not the 4wd mounts.
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Centerpole90
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In reply to TxSquarebody • 10:24a, 3/11/19
AG
TxSquarebody said:
Be sure you tell the guy you need the 2wd mounts, not the 4wd mounts.

You know how I know that's funny?
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TxSquarebody
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In reply to Centerpole90 • 10:42a, 3/11/19
Once ordered an intake manifold for a sbc 400 from the usual scumbags. Go to pick it up 3 days later and it is a BBC intake. Inform the mouth breather behind the counter of the situation and he replies, "it says 396-454 on the box."
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Centerpole90
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In reply to TxSquarebody • 11:09a, 3/11/19
AG
That 400 sb causes lots of issues. Consider the poor *******s with their 400 (402) BBC that half the world has forgotten about.
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stbabs
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3:51a, 3/12/19
AG
Another wasted day. The mounts delivered this morning didn't fit either.

Trying once more to let the countermen figure out the right part number.

If that fails I'll go to other sources.
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sts7049
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4:54a, 3/12/19
AG
well, you were making such quick progress it only makes sense that the car gods trip you up and delay everything on something small like this
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Silvy
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In reply to stbabs • 5:52a, 3/12/19
AG
Perhaps it's not the engine for the car...

You can hit up Texas Speed and inquire about their 427 LS
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stbabs
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In reply to Silvy • 8:12a, 3/12/19
AG
Yep, my car's frame may be rejecting the organ transplant (396 for 350).
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Centerpole90
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8:38a, 3/12/19
AG
We are talking about the engine stands here, correct? That bolt to the frame? Surely this is something Summit Racing is swimming in...
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TxSquarebody
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8:45a, 3/12/19
There has to be something simple being missed.
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Ag for Life
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10:33a, 3/12/19
AG
Found this thread: https://www.chevelles.com/forums/155-2006/127571-motor-frame-mount-pics.html

If I am reading this thread correctly, the 350 stands & engine mounts are the same as the BB for the 1968-72 Chevelle. Only the 307 stands & engine mounts are different. Are you sure it was a factory 350 and not a 307?

It's entirely possible that I am wrong though as I'm texagging at work...

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stbabs
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In reply to Ag for Life • 1:38p, 3/12/19
AG
The "engine stands" that bolt to the frame are definitely different from the ones that came on the car. And, yes, the original engine is a 350.

New stands came off a factory 1970 SS car.

Did a visual side by side comparison of the two and no doubt, they're different.

Think I'm into a fix with an aftermarket mount. It has about 3/4 inch space between the "ears" of the upper support and the stand but fabricating a sleeve spacer will cure that.

Actually the extra space will allow movement of the engine fore and aft if required in fitting a new transmission and rear end.

More to follow.
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TxSquarebody
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2:00p, 3/12/19
Best solution I could find...

http://www.cachassisworks.com/c-516-g-machine.aspx
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stbabs
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In reply to TxSquarebody • 12:06p, 3/13/19
AG
The support with the "wide ears" is going to work.

Fabricated a spacer out of 1 inch cold roll, bored a1/2 inch hole in it and cut to length to fill the space left because of the wide ears.

Extra width of the support ears also required longer grade 8 bolts for holding upper and lower pieces together.

Now, on to the next challenge. The mount for the brake line fitting at the differential is different for a 12 bolt rear ended than the fitting for my original 10 bolt.

Original mount sat on top of the differential and bolted to the top bolt of the 10 bolt cover; meaning the mount was in the exact middle of the axle.

The brake fitting mount for a 12 bolt sits to one side of the differential. More fabrication required.

Pics when I find time.
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TxSquarebody
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1:41p, 3/13/19
I hate that dirty F word...fabrication!
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stbabs
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10:08p, 3/13/19
AG
The old 10 bolt rear ended with brake fitting and mount removed. You can see the notch in the cover plate where the brake mount was bolted:



The mount and brake fitting attached to the new 12 bolt rear ended. The mount is bolted to the steel bar cut and drilled to fit between two cover plate bolts.

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lb3
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In reply to TxSquarebody • 11:42p, 3/13/19
AG
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TxSquarebody
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In reply to lb3 • 8:26a, 3/14/19
lb3 said:
TxSquarebody said:
I hate that dirty F word...fabrication!
Somebody needs a plasma cutter.


I think you might have a point there!
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stbabs
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10:36p, 3/14/19
AG
Rear axle mounted, brakes, brake lines and all brake fittings mounted. Sway bar fitted and holes drilled for bolting to front trailing arms.

Awaiting arrival of two 7/16 X 4 1/2 " grade 8 bolts for the motor supports.

Front disc brakes and new sway bar installed.

I'll have to shorten the drive shaft 5 1/2 " to accommodate the longer 700R4 transmission.

Once that's done the drive train will be complete; except for hanging stuff on the engine.

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stbabs
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6:07a, 3/19/19
AG


Motor mount problem solved, beginning to hang stuff on the engine.

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Goose
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7:58a, 3/19/19
AG
Looking good.
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Duncan Idaho
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12:17p, 3/19/19
Nice
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Dr. Doctor
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5:40a, 3/20/19
stbabs
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6:00p, 3/24/19
AG
Exhaust installed.



Well, almost installed. The pipe coming off the drivers side manifold has to go to a muffler shop for bending.
The one in the kit I ordered didn't quite fit.

Ain't nothin easy!!

Oh, temporary valve covers back on until body is installed.

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stbabs
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4:31p, 4/4/19
AG
Been a while since I posted. Lots of work but little visible results..... until today.

Body back on the frame. Doors hung. And, obligatory shot of the Big Block.







Been worried about the fender gaps being uneven (common in Chevelles) But fender and door gaps are looking good. Not totally adjusted but they're gonna be fine.

Fit the fenders, doors and trunk lid, then take em off for paint on insides and edges. Then back in the body for final sanding and paint.
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Duncan Idaho
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6:11p, 4/4/19
Those look great. How many hands did you have helping you?
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