1970 Chevelle Malibu build
 

I've never done anything like this before so this is all new to me.

I started pulling the frontend apart yesterday so I could get to the bushings and breaks easier for the conversion. We managed to remove the rear drums also.

I have some rust on the sides of the firewall/bulkhead you can see in the one photo.

When I pulled the axles out of the rear the differential pinion gear fell out of position. I think that's not good right. Haha, oh well its all a fun learning experience anyway. Should I replace all the oil seals and bearings for the rear since they are right there?

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Car looks decent to start, dont get caught up in a full rebuild.

Nice start to your project. Typical rusted out on the lower front cowl area. Dirt and leaves get down in there and plug the drain holes and rust it out. There is a replacement panel for that rocker to cowl panel or you can make it.

http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mv...e=ROCKERPANELS

http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mv...ode=COWLPANELS

You will have to check the back lash in the rearend when you put it back together.

man we are in the same boat. Stick to your guns you will get it done. Took me 19 months of working on mine and learning the whole way to get it on the road. Finally got it on the road just in time for winter...lol looks good so far keep up the good work

Thanks for the replies guys! I'm hoping I have it back on the street next summer, don't laugh, I can dream! My dad and I are in a car club it would be nice to drive my own some day. Though I do like driving his cars! I'll probably get the patch panels from ss396.com so thanks for the link. I have a season pass for the Carisle PA events so maybe I can find what I need there too.

I'll keep posting pics. I'm done with work on the 20th and I don't go back until next year so I'm hoping to get the bushing, brakes and some wiring done.

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Looks very solid ,AMD is also a great place to get patch panels and you can order most through Summit Racing .

Did a little work today. Removing the spring is a little scary!
Getting ready for new Energy Suspension bushings.

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And Moog ball joints.



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Not a fun job, I had to do it 2 times, since the first time the car sat to high.

Frame section painted with rubberized under coat and lowers.


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Think I'm going to buy a 12 ton HF shop press to finish my bushing replacement job. I still need to do the rear too so I'm guessing it'll be worth the price.

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Shop press worked great!!!

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yeah i brought one from HF might is BRIGHT orange..lol looking good

Those presses are quite handy ,we have one at my work.

Good progress today.
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Looks good, you will find many uses for press now that you have it.

Thanks.
My original color is Shadow Grey and its going back to it. I think the interior was red also. Right now its half and half, red/black.

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Does anyone know the torque spec on the spindle castle nut? I have the right stuff brake system and it says 12 ft lbs which seems low to me.

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Never mind, my searching shows 12 and back off for pin.

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We are going to have to use your thread as a reference for many things. :)

Found a set of wheels and tires at a SUPER good price!!! They are 17" Boyd Junk Yard wheels. The tires are not new but in good condition. They are bigger than I wanted but I just can't pass up the bargain.
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Should look good on there.

I threw the wheels on and put the fender on to see how it looks.

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Those wheels look good .

Taking the rear control arms off today. I have three of four unhooked but the passenger side must be twisted because I can't get the bolt out!!! Round two is tomorrow when I can get some help. Ugh!

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Did you spray the bolt with PB Blaster or WD 40 to break the rust. I had a hard time getting some of my bolts out. Maybe even heat would help.

It spins, I just can't get it to push threw. I'll have my dad to help so I can put some pressure on the back side. I did spray WD on and that helped a ton!!!

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If I remember correctly on one of mine I had to cut the bolt to get it off.

If you have an air hammer with a punch type tip or even screwdriver and a hammer, you could put it on the end of the bolt and maybe drive it back through.

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Got it! I had to cut 2 and beat the others out. The upper control arms came off easy. I'm going to order and new bolt kit to reinstall. I don't have an air compressor yet but hopefully I'll have one soon. I think air tools would make a few jobs easier.

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I did get the spider gear back in place today too. Now the axle Shaft does insert all the way in on the passenger side though. I'll figure it out late but I'm done for the day. Here's a good way to finish it off too...
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Good deal, glad ya got em out!......Air compressor and air tools are almost a must, you will use em all the time one you have em, they will definitely make life a lot easier. Were you able to figure out why your axle wasn't going in all the way?

Not yet, its back to work for me so I won't have a chance to get over to the garage until maybe Saturday. I'll probably pull the gears out again and take a look see.

Air compressor is coming soon I hope.. I should just go buy the Harbor Freight one for now, should be good for what I need. The price is right too, like $160.

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I did a little work on the rear axle yesterday. Shafts are back in, brackets on, but the rotors will not seat flat on the axles outter hub thingy. I guess it needs machined or I'm getting new axles. I'll mess with it next weekend some more.

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The axle and brakes look good man! I'm thinking on some axles the axles flanges will need turned down so the rotor hat will fit over them. I'm not sure how much needs to come off but I'm sure any decent machine shop should be able to put it in a lathe and take care of it for you.

I'll have to call and find out how much. I'm also going to email Right Stuff Detailing to tell them I was missing the brake pad clip for the poison side pad and ask which axle are a direct fit.

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Can anyone help with identifying what my rear axle and gearing is? The picture maybe is CCA 0929 B which is a 3.08:1 10 bolt. Could the picture show a CGA which is 2.56:1 10 bolt for the 350? The second letter isn't clear or stamped entirely.
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It also looks like my ring gear is positraction which could have been changed out right?
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I was planning on doing some work on Saturday,but ended up spending the afternoon buying this nice addition for the garage! Now I need tools. Should have enough umph for what we will need and more. The garage already has the air system I just need to hook it up next weekend.

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Funny how we always need another tool or something when we work on our cars.