Bringing a 12 bolt down for you to build? Or help me build? So far, here is what I have:
69 12 bolt Camaro housing
3 series (140) posi unit
New Yukon thick 4.10 gear with new install kit
Axles donated by generous, helpful , kind member and from the Commonwealth to boot
Original ET rear finned aluminum cover
New multileafs
Lakewood vintage square tube bars with tails

Still need: axle bearings & seals, perches, 400# or stiffer posi springs, ? Got a hold of Tom’s Differential and need to place an order...soon. Then, I need a couple of young bucks to keep a boot up my rear and help get it all together.

We've probably talked about this before, but I don't remember. Are the spring perches damaged or gone? Axle bearings and seals are easy. They are the same for almost every car 7.5, 8.2, 8.5 and 12 bolt from '64 and up. When you get the 400# springs are you going to get new clutches too, or just shim the clutches that you have? Bring it down and we'll put it together. Just give me time to get ready for it. My shop is a mess.

Awesome Bentley, can't believe I missed this thread until now and didn't realise Project Ratty had actually begun!!

Dug out some new old oil pan bolts I have had forever.

That's cool. Too bad they will be on the bottom where most people won't see them.

Not true! The competition will get a glimpse as they are being run over by the mighty rat!:rolleyes2:

:naughty:

Cool Bolts. I have a complete set of similar Mr. Gasket bolts on the 12 bolt under the Nova.


Tommy

I have a set of Rocket head bolts for small block. Sorry I don't have any of the big block ones for you.

Ratty rod
 

This is gonna be an awesome car

I noticed you titled your response “Ratty Rod”. I would like to take this opportunity to assure folks that this car is not going to be the cliche , “ Rat Rod”. A generic name that encompasses a lot of artistic creations, but usually has no theme related to true hot ridding, traditional hot rods, or race/muscle cars. In addition, the term Rat Rod, can be an insulting description of a car that is cobbled, unsafe, has booger welds, and questionable engineering.

In no matter or way do I intend to portray, build, emmulate, or replicate a car that could be termed a “rat rod”. Although the name is commonly misused and attributed to any car lacking a quality paint job, and I am sure someone will give this car that moniker at some point. I would qualify this build to be, more so, a faux “ barn find”, another overused word I detest. Think of this car as a street heavy brawler, with speed equipment no newer than 72-3, perhaps built by a guy drafted to Nam. He puts the car away and the same car is finally resurrected in 2018. In 1972 I was 11 years old. I was still playing with my “Hot Wheels.” This will be a grown up Hot Wheels.

Bentley,

Could have saved a lot of typed words.........

"...grown up Hot Wheels" gets it! :biggthumpup:

I was on board at the first post Bentley. I have been a fan of "patina" and what I call "Rat Muscle" for a long time. Looks great!


Tommy

Tommy, thanks for the support. I am just sorry that I already had plans for the tow tabs on this car or they would have been yours. Like you, I looked awhile. All the edifying comments help me to stay on this thing and see it through. Thanks.

What's new in the Day II Zoo Bentley?

Planting crops, mowing yards, and other spring chores had me sidetracked. But updates on there way. If I wanted to just show off parts acquired for the build, I could spend a week listing and showing. Rebuilt 3-4 factory Hurst 69 shifters recently. Recent finds- Moroso cool can cheap & NOS NMW driveshaft loop cheap.

Things got a little behind schedule, but back on the fast track, now! Making great progress this week on the car. Thank God for AC in the shop! It has been awhile, like mid June since I posted about "Ratty". Here is a "teaser" pic.

Love the license plate frame

Keep it up....

Bentley, Glad to see a new Ratty Rat post. I picked up a 1980 Car Craft license plate frame at swap meet this spring.

ZommXF (R68GTO's brother)

Hmm what could that be on the '69 Ohio plate.........?

Not only are these BBengine frame mounts, but assembly line pieces, thanks, Scott P.(spookster). Posi unit and cover arrived (had them stored at Mom's). Before and After drum to disc ( I know, not the right MC, but I’m using what’s lying around the place. All parts are assembly line pieces! Nothing out of a catalog, except emblem. Last, emblem mounted.

Looking great Bentley - it's going to be awesome!

"Ratty" has undergone all of it's engine compartment mods. The engine compartment was important, because, now, the engine can go in place. I wanted all the room to install the needed components and , hopefully, ease the procedure. The engine has to go in place so there is enough weight to compress the BB springs, when the spindles are changed. Makes sense. Then all the rest of the suspension can be changed. Then I will turn my attention back to the engine to finish that up and then, the interior and some body touch up paint.

The heater box was a royal pain. The old cover had a rust hole from decades of being a rodent condo. The fan was seized and the squirrel cage gnawed. That required pulling loose the Rt. fender and replacing all that stuff, ugh!

To date, the engine bay has gotten it"s BB fan shroud top bracket, muncie speedo cable, J52 brake setup, BB heater assembly(even have the correct rubber block off piece for the unused tube holes), ZL2 wiring, BB frame stands, correct speedo plug in existing firewall hole.
The funnel is on the fuel line. I soaked it in Evaporust to make sure it was clean.

Yeah baby....lovin’ it!!!:3gears:

Looking good Bentley!

Thanks for sharing. Its looking great.


Jason

Bentley - you might want to check for your emergency brake operation - could be disconnected! ;>))

Details,details...who needs to stop? The car is made to GO! Lol

Um, yeah. That's what squirrels do!!:scholar: Man.. so dramatic! :smile::haha:

Looking good Bentley!! Nice progress! :biggthumpup::biggthumpup::biggthumpup:

Cheers
Dave

Nice work Bentley. Glad to see you making progress.

Keep the pictures coming good job

Anything new going on here?

Sorry to say, not as much as I would like. bogged down with cleaning, painting, repairing and fabricating on the car. How was I to know this would be the 5th wettest year in recorded history , here, in the Ohio Valley? Every friggin' Weekend, here comes a cold rain or snow. And a few downpours throughout each week, just to keep the spirit down. You see, I built the engine last year in my house basement. I have a walkout to level ground. It is down the hillside. The car is in the shop at the top of the grade. I cannot find a dry enough day to go down and get the engine out of the basement. The car is ready and the engine is ready for the car. i need to get a couple of buddies to help me manhandle it out of the basement. Problem is, all my buddies are older and down in the back. I find it hard to leave things "Ratty". There are some things I cannot leave alone, the rear end cover being one. I have a before and after here. At first, I was hip to leaving it...well, Ratty. But I study Grady's car a lot for ideas and I could not take that cover being all crusty. So, ok, maybe semi ratty, ha! I mounted the fuel pressure gauge and several loose end type things, like brake lines and hardware. Mounted a driveshaft loop. Sanded down the roof. Picked up some slapper bars. That kind of stuff. Too boring to post about. I am building Mamma a garage this fall and that has taken my time away from the car. got a hole for the ZL1 hood wiring. Curious 427 crayon mark (not added) I sanded around to see better. Hood pins installed and cool can mounted. If I ever get the engine in its bay. Ill have something to report. Don't cringe because parts are piled up on the fenders, She is rough. Take care all.

more

Ratty Rat Help
 

Bentley,

Sounds like Jim & I need to make a trip down there and help you with that engine. If I can pry him away from Rat's Nest.

Mike

Mike, would love the company. You and Jim can stop by anytime. We would spend so much time “ bench racing” that we would not get anything done.:3gears::youguysrock:

ratty update
 

been quite some time since giving a report. The weather has improved considerably, here, in Ohio. It has been a "Ratty" kind of week. Getting a lot of smaller details taken care of and refurbishing some acquired pieces. here is a before & after steering wheel. I think the "rosewood" color came out ok. I also have a sparkly gold "Gasser" type wheel if this does not look acceptable after installed. Traction bars are now white. may make the purists cringe. But if it was good enough for da Grump, it's good enough for me. I just thought there would be too much yellow.

getting close to dropping in the engine. got the front bumper installed, tow tabs, hood pins. Just going down the list and checking off items.Probably can't see the original T3s. Gotta come up with something in place of those Z stripes. Want to get rid of those stripes. That whole area may end up all black?

It is not unusual to find a 50 year old survivor hotrod missing an emblem. I only bought 3 emblems, they are pretty high priced. The good part of the high price is there won't be too many guys making a DH replica. So, suppose the emblem was stolen? With 3 emblems, what to do? We all have seen what is under missing trim or emblems, unfaded, original paint. So I had to replicate that with a little rubbing compound.