Slowest 1970 Chevelle build! - Page 5

Berg · #41 07-11-2011, 02:51 PM

These are the pics of the Malibu trunk and the 15" rally sport wheels. The trunk was full of old dried out tar and it was difficult to rip out of it. I have since cleaned up the floor and shot a coat of rustoleum on it to preserve it somewhat.

Berg · #42 08-12-2011, 09:43 AM

OK it's been a month since my last post and it has been way too hot in the garage/ driveway to get anything done on the cars. I swapped distributors in the 1970 Malibu so it now has HEI and used a relay off the factory resistor wire with a fused link that runs from the horn relay for easy starting and reliability. I have been having a problem with the points getting crapped up every time the car sits. I'm just sick of it. It now appears I have a ground problem as my parking lights are staying on when the battery is hooked up. I feel the only way to fix this car the right way is with a whole dash swap and new wire harness. I put the 14x7 RS wheels back on it and put the SS wheels on the gray.. er, primer spotted gray car. I need to figure out what the Malibu is worth so it can be sold and allow me some funding and room to work on the other car.

smokenjoep01 · #43 08-12-2011, 11:14 AM

I feel ya. Looks like it may be a cooler weekend. Goodluck

Berg · #44 09-07-2011, 11:33 AM

Well, I got the 400 back in and running with an HEI distributor and got new collectors, two and a half inch tube, and a set of Thrush welded mufflers to get some sort of exhaust system on the car. I was going to get a set of tailpipes bent up but I think I'm just going to throw turn-downs on it for now. I bought another set of Bendix wheel cylinders for the rear and I'm going to bleed the brakes again since the pedal seems like it has gotten spongy again. I dug out a Torker II intake manifold and Carter carburetor along with a 650 cfm Holley. I also have a Performer RPM intake manifold with a Quadrajet rebuilt by Edelbrock with electric choke I'm thinking about throwing on. I wish I upgraded this car to HEI a long time ago. It completely got rid of the hard starting problem and it doesn't feel like it is hesitating when it is cold like it did. All this time I have had this car with the 400 and wanted to put in a 454. I pulled the 400, had the 454 sitting in the car and then decided to sell the car so went back to the SBC 400. Funny thing is I just wanted to sell the car and make room to get the SS in the garage but once I got everything bolted up and running again I feel like I want to keep them both. I don't know what to do anymore. I should just sell it while it is on the road but people seem to want everything for nothing. I listed the car locally for $3,500 as a roller, $4,000 complete as-is or for $5,000 for the complete running and driving car along with all the extras like new interior kit, some sheet metal and the 12 bolt rearend I was going to save for a spare. I got the 10 bolt open 3.08 rear in it now and planned on setting up the 12 bolt with a 3.55 ratio to swap into the SS if I felt like making some long trips and for cruising but not having to take apart the 4.10's that are in the car now. I even threw in a set of factory front disc brakes complete with original hold-off valve and an L98 350 that needs a hone and fresh bearings and rings. I can't believe the ridiculously low prices people are throwing at me. I know it isn't a show car and I know it has rot but I had a guy offer me $2,000 for everything and it sounded like he wanted me to deliver it too! I had guys offer to trade all sorts of stuff but worst of all is when I take the time to make a detailed ad with everything listed and explained and they ask the same questions that has everything in the ad! I'm so disgusted trying to sell this car I think I just need to park it in a friends garage for a few years. I think Grumpy and Mrs. Grumpy give me some hope that I'll be able to pull off having his-n-hers- Chevelles! She isn't one for originality of the car and the car she would like wasn't available in 1970. To tell the truth, I think her 2011 Camaro has spoiled her. I guess I'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, I got the welder set up again and cleaned up enough room in the garage to open the doors on the car while it is totally inside. Its been a while since that was possible.

Berg · #45 09-07-2011, 11:45 AM

I installed a Bosch relay and used the screw from the firewall gutter to hold it to the firewall. I used the blower motor ground screw and a piece of 12ga. wire to ground the relay, and used the original resistor wire that went to the coil + terminal to power the relay. I did it this way so it could easily be returned back to points and I wouldn't have modified anything that couldn't be easily undone. I also ran a 12ga. positive wire from the relay back to the horn relay so I had power at the point the alternator charges/senses voltage at. (note- in picture throttle cable is broken and return spring is removed. I am aware of this. This has since been repaired and was in the installation process)

Berg · #46 09-07-2011, 11:50 AM

Also note wrong size radiator in second picture due to original being stolen while car was behind my old shop.

Ms Grumpy · #47 09-07-2011, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berg

Also note wrong size radiator in second picture due to original being stolen while car was behind my old shop.

That is so sad ! But on a brighter note, it looks like you are moving forward. I look at those pics and think back to what I started with. I can't wait to see more as you progress.

shadowgray396 · #48 09-07-2011, 10:39 PM

I agree you are moving ahead. Just take it one step at a time.

Berg · #49 09-12-2011, 11:07 AM

Well, my moving ahead just turned into moving on. I cleaned up everything the best I could on Friday after work. I spent most of the afternoon detailing the dash and working out small electrical bugs like a stuck flasher and a corroded fuse. I got a new ignition switch since mine has been kind of funky since highschool. I cleaned the interior the best I ever have since I have owned the car. I hate armor-all but I wiped everything but the pedals and steering wheel down with it after I cleaned everything. I got all the dust/dirt out of the grain pattern and cleaned the pleats on the seats. I re-stuffed and taped the seams on the front drivers side seat rips and it came out pretty good. I went back over everything with some old clean sweatpants material to take the excess gloss off the interior. I couldn't believe how good the old crappy interior looked. I decided to armor-all the weatherstrip too. In essence I was polishing the proverbial turd but it came out pretty good. I welded up some 2.5" tubes with collectors and welded on a set of Thrush welded mufflers. They look and sound like knock-offs of the Flowmaster 40 series. It gave the 400 a nice rumble. I adjusted the carburetor and took it for a good ride to clear it out. The more I drove it, the better it seemed to get. I went a few blocks down to a street that was just paved not too long ago and spun them up. It left some nice marks in the road. I stopped and jumped on it quick, spun the tires through 2nd gear pretty good. It made me wonder what ever clicked in my head that the car needed to have a big block in the first place. I forgot how fun the car was it has been sitting so long. It felt good to take it out again for a good ride after all these years. Little did I know it would be my last ride. I sold the black Chevelle over the weekend. It has been kind of depressing but I needed to let it go so I could move on to the "new" car. I got pretty close to full asking price and still have a lot of extra parts left over to sell off and recoup some money. I had left my camera in my other truck so I couldn't even get any good pictures of it before it left. All I have is a few shots to remember it by. I am gonna miss that car.

Berg · #50 09-13-2011, 10:20 AM

It just dawned on me that I sold my only remaining 8 track player with the black Chevelle...