Re: More Chevelle updates
 

Well, I guess it's time for another update.

The car is essentially de-bugged save for the speedometer issue which will hopefully be resolved within the next few days. The L60 Goodyears went bye-bye last year since there was no friggin' way they were going to cope with the 496 and were in all honesty a dangerous liability.

In their place now resides a set of Hoosier 275/60/15 Quicktime street tires. I can now give the car more than 1/2 throttle w/o sending the rear tires up in a haze, and I can pull away from a stop w/o unintentionally chirping the tires. I'm sure the neighbors (not to mention the local constabulary) will appreciate that.

There's still a minor bit of carb tuning to to in order to rid the car of a final little bit of lean "lurch" during in-town ~1500 rpm driving in 4th gear.

(...who said you couldn't run a 256°/264° @ .050 cam on a 108° LSA on the street with any manners?...)

As to when the next update will be and what news it will consist of...who knows. At this point I just plan to drive it whenever I can and enjoy it as much as "life" permits. Paint & body probably aren't going to happen...at least not any time in the forseeable future. I do hope to get it to the track sometime soon, but again it all depends on what life brings.

Even if this is the end of the road for progress on the car, at least it was fun getting there. I hope some of you enjoyed the journey with me.

Re: More Chevelle updates
 

Eric - it sounds like you are making some good progress. Thanks for the update, but...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...s/needpics.gif

Re: More Chevelle updates
 

The car still looks the same...like the south end of a north-bound mule.

It just has a pair of these on the back now (sans the shiny wheels).

http://static.summitracing.com/globa.../hoo-17110.jpg

Re: More Chevelle updates
 

Well gang, it appears another update is in order.

As of today, the car is scheduled to go to the body shop early next week for de-rustification. The actual de-uglification is still a ways off, but more on that in a moment.

Long, boring saga condensed down to the essentials...the car which was advertised by the dealer as &quot;no rust <span style="font-style: italic">ever</span>&quot; turned out to be a tetanus infection on wheels waiting to happen.

There wasn't an intact panel on the entire car...if it wasn't rusty, it looked like someone had went at it with a ball peen happer and filled the voids in with Bondo afterwards.

Don't ask me how I got to the point, but as it turns out, the car needs everything from the doors back. The filler panel between the windshield and the cowl panel is shot as well. Luckily the dash appears to be OK, but we won't know for sure until the old panel is out.

At this stage in the game, I would've been better off if I would have bought a totally rusted out P.O.S. for 1/3 of what I paid for this &quot;rust free&quot; example...I would've wound up replacing most of the same panels anyways. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Live and learn I suppose.

At any rate, the car will be going into very capable hands next week to begin the panel replacement process. As of now, the car will be receiving a new 1 piece trunk floor, inner &amp; outer wheelhouses, rear body panel, drop-offs, quarters, and a deck filler panel along with the previously mentioned cowl repair panel.

Due to budget constraints (among other things) I'm unable to complete the bodywork &amp; paint part of the job at this time, but at least the car will <span style="font-style: italic">actually</span> be &quot;rust free&quot; once this part of the job is finished. My hopes are that by next spring I will have enough saved back to finish the bodywork &amp; paint and finally wrap this project up.

No promises, but I'll try to post a few progress pics as the panel replacement job is performed if my schedule will allow.

Something to consider--when this job is done, the only panels originally on the car when I bought it that will be remaining will be the roof, firewall, inner interior structures, the rockers, and about 75% of the front floorpan (the doors are still an unknown at this point).

Not too bad for &quot;rust free&quot;, huh. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif[/img]

One thing's for certain...this frame-off restoration will be a 2-in-one for me...my first, and my last.

More details as they become available.

Eric

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Thanks for the update Eric. Keep a stiff upper lip and keep us posted. Good luck!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: Chevelle updates
 

I feel for you Eric...that never should have happened. Glad that you have the right frame of mind about all of this... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Eric,

Glad I could contribute to the cause!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Dave

Re: Chevelle updates
 

It's &quot;rust free&quot;. You just didn't see the comma between the word &quot;rust&quot; and the word &quot;free&quot;.

&quot;guaranteed rust, free&quot;



But seriously, you're doing a great job. Keep up the progress. It will be worth it one day. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: Chevelle updates
 

HANG IN HERE BUDDY WE ALL HAVE BEEN WHERE YOU ARE AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, BUT WHEN IT IS FINALLY DONE AND YOU CAN LOOK BACK AND SAY I SAVED ONE, JUST DO THE MISTAKE THAT ALOT OF US DO ID SELL IT IN A WEAK MONMENT ONLY TO WANT IT BACK 6 MONHTES LATER, ONLY SELL IF YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE YOUR HOUSE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT OR IF YOU TRADING UP FOR A CAR THAT YOU KNOW HAS BEEN DONE AS NICE AS YOURS

Re: Chevelle updates
 

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/cut.jpg

Re: Chevelle updates
 

!!!!!!

Re: Chevelle updates
 

No caption needed on that one...that's one way to turn a project into a BIG project!

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Sorry for the fuzzy pics.

Trunk floor trial fitting

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...unkfloorin.jpg

Trial fitting R inner wheelhouse

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...usefitting.jpg

Body guy was tweaking R outer to fit when I left.

More later.

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Keep the pics coming Eric!

Re: Chevelle updates
 

This is going to be fun to follow. I would have cried like a baby when I discovered that much rust in a car that I was led to believe was solid. I am looking forward to more progress pictures on this one, especially now that NJ Steve is finished with his Trans Am!

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Oh, trust me...I had an &quot;emotional&quot; reaction...but it wasn't crying.

[Forrest Gump]<span style="font-style: italic">and that's all I've got to say about that...</span>[/Forrest Gump]

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Based on the phone call we had, I got a pretty good visual in my head as to what that looked like........

Glad it is working out now.

Re: Chevelle updates
 

The trunk floor and inner wheelhouses are welded in now, and the outers have been rough-fitted but will not be final welded until they can be checked with the quarters in place. The quarters will be here next week. (The surface rust on the inner structures will be wire brushed and treated with POR before the quarters go on)

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_10300008.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_10300009.jpg

Nice to see parts going back onto the car instead of coming off.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_10300011.jpg

When the back of the headliner was dropped, a rather large mouse nest was discovered. Here are the remains of the nest.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_10300010.jpg

Odd bit of irony...this is the second time a mouse has been evicted from the Chevelle...here's the first one:

http://www.vintagemusclecarparts.com...nsporter_2.jpg

(Here's the Rat that was <span style="font-style: italic">supposed to be</span> in between the fenders when I bought the car...but that's a subject for another time...)

http://www.vintagemusclecarparts.com...nning_1_DF.jpg

More later.

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Eric
Keep hammer'n on that sucker and git er done.
Question for your de-uglification, ever consider Regal Red for the color... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]
It is Kick Ass if done right... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif[/img]
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCF0604.jpg

Keep those camera batteries charged... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Mike

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Dang, that Regal Red does look good.

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Mike;

Nice `66! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

How much work did that one take?

I do have a color picked out for the car already, but I'm keeping it under wraps until (if?) I get to the point where it's ready to squirt some color on it.

I have decided to go with a factory `67 Chevrolet hue--while the car was originally Marina Blue (and that's a beautiful color), I just wanted something different.

Re: Chevelle updates
 

That Red 66 was a Buddies car his Dad bought him while he was still in HS. It was mostly raced, and was a zero corrosion car. I think it has 17K miles on it.
Cant' wait to see the 67 color you have chosen, ther are a couple I really like in 67.

Mike

Re: Chevelle updates
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VintageMusclecar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mike;


I do have a color picked out for the car already, but I'm keeping it under wraps until (if?) I get to the point where it's ready to squirt some color on it.

I have decided to go with a factory `67 Chevrolet hue--while the car was originally Marina Blue (and that's a beautiful color), I just wanted something different. </div></div>


There is a Tahoe Turquoise Metallic (LL) 67 near me, it is absolutely stunning in full sun. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]

Re: Chevelle updates
 

The new quarters arrived today. We loaded them up and dropped them off at the body shop. For once during this debacle, I can honestly say I'm <span style="font-weight: bold">very</span> happy with the quality of the panels upon initial inspection. Nary a dent nor blemish was found, and all the lines were very clean and crisp.

If the quarters fit as good as they look, they will definitely be one of the high points on this project.

(One of the two body shop gurus inspecting a quarter)

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7..._11020001B.jpg

Most of the remnants of the old quarters have been removed; the only remaining sections were the door striker panels as we weren't sure where they needed to be trimmed until the new quarters were on hand. There is a reinforcement plate which will need to be retained from the original quarters.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11020002.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11020003.jpg

More &quot;rust free&quot;....er.... &quot;free rust&quot;

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11020004.jpg

Just for the sake of a peek; the `73 Challenger below belongs to the body guy above who is inspecting the quarter. It runs the factory 360 with a 4-speed and an 8 3/4&quot; rear end. It's been restored from the ground up, and my barely marginal photography skills do this car absolutely no justice. This thing's sweet.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7..._11020006B.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11020010.jpg

More later when the quarters are being test fitted.

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Looking great Eric...please keep us updated!

Re: Chevelle updates
 

The passenger quarter being trial fitted; there are a couple of issues the body guy pointed out that will need to be addressed.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11060014.jpg

There are some ripples on the window side of the C pillar that weren't spotted on initial inspection.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11060019.jpg

Body guy says he can hammer and dolly this out, not that big of a deal. Issue #2 isn't going to be as easy to address, but body guy assures me he can handle it. There was also an issue with how the quarter panel trunk gutter rail was lining up with the gutter on the rear body panel, but a small relief cut alleviated the issue.

Note where the quarter extension meets with the trunk edge of the quarter; the trunk edge starts out nicely from the C pillar, but once it gets to the quarter extension, it is rolled out towards the outside of the quarter panel which leaves about a 1/16&quot; to 1/8&quot; gap.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11060018.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11060021.jpg

The panels line up nicely in the door jambs.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11060017.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11060016.jpg

There are also some fitment issues with the rear deck filler panel, but until the drivers side quarter is trial fitted, we won't know exactly what is causing the issue. Again, the body guy says it's nothing he hasn't battled before.

This is all the further it will go into place w/o somewhat excessive &quot;coercion&quot;.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11060020.jpg

On the &quot;plus&quot; side, the body guy states that the drop-offs fit the quarters perfectly. On the not-so-plus side, he says they're off pretty far from the trunk floor and wheelhouse.

Again on the &quot;plus&quot; side, the quarter fit at the roof on the C pillars appears to be very good.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11060015.jpg

The outer wheelhouses also fit the quarters very well.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11060023.jpg

There were some issues with the fit between the rear body panel and the trunk floor, but after bringing up the center of the trunk floor, the panel appears to line up fairly well.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11060026.jpg

So here's the informal assessment from the body guy so far:

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">-Trunk floor:</span></span> So-so. There are apparently two different trunk floors being made for these cars, and naturally I inadvertently wound up with the lesser-quality of the two. Tip for anyone looking at buying one of these trunk floors--look for the one that has the spare tire hold-down bracket and jack mast brackets welded in place already.

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">-Inner wheelhouses:</span></span> Decent. Fit nicely with the trunk floor and the outer wheelhouses.

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">-Outer wheelhouses:</span></span> Decent. Fit the inner wheelhouses and the quarters well.

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Drop-offs:</span></span> Fair. Fits the quarters well, trunk and wheelhouses, not so much.

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">-Deck Filler:</span></span> Fair.

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">-Rear body panel:</span></span> Decent so far, will know more as more progress is made.

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">-Quarter Panel:</span></span> Fair. The outer portion of the panels are very nice with no flaws and very crisp lines, but the issues at the C pillar and quarter extensions really needs to be addressed by the manufacturer.

Overall assessment from the body guy so far--he's worked with far worse in regards to aftermarket panels, and there haven't been any <span style="font-style: italic">serious</span> unexpected surprises so far, which is encouraging at this point...and at this point, I'll take all the encouraging news I can get.

More later.

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Good deal Eric!

Re: Chevelle updates
 

----Eric,,,I found exactly the same issue with 69 Camaro rear quarters in relation to the trunk-lid gap. Im pretty sure the same company pops out these quarters. Wonder why they cant get that right. Surely they are apprised of this situation. I complained, and you should as well, as its at least marginally possible that they will listen and future quarter attachers will benefit.....Bill S

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Great info Eric. Thanks for taking the time to write it up.

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Quick update, no pics today though;

Got a phone call from the body guy this afternoon. He &quot;fought&quot; the drivers side quarter into place, but he apparently managed to get it where he's reasonably happy with it.

Unfortunately the same can not be said for the deck filler panel.

In a nutshell, it's almost unusable...but since it's the only thing we've got to work with (I'm told that panel is only reproduced by one company, and that everyone else buys from them and re-boxes it), we're stuck with modifying this one to fit.

Two steps forward, one step back.

More eventually.

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Couldn't you locate a clean factory rear filler panel from a salvage yard?

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Dave;

I've pretty much given up hope of finding any rust free bone yard `66-`67 Chevelle sheetmetal. Maybe I just don't have the right contacts, but nearly every time I've searched for solid original panels, I've came up empty handed. Besides, even if we were to find a serviceable component, by the time we cut it out, shipped it in and dressed it for re-installation, we'd be into it for the same time invested in getting the re-pop to fit.

It's not the first time a re-pop component has had to be modified (or even completely reconstructed) to fit the car, and I'm sure there's even more obstacles ahead.

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Body guy calls me today to have me bring the back glass out so he can see where he's at on the quarter/deck filler issue.

Again, my apologies for some fuzzy pics, it's not easy to get decent shots when you're scrambling to try to stay out from under foot while the body guy is zooming back &amp; forth trying to eyeball the body lines.

Quick pic of the drivers side quarter temporarily in place.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7..._11090001B.jpg

Drivers side quarter is better than the pass. side in the trunk gutter rail, but it's still going to require some attention.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11090002.jpg

Back to the deck panel issue; here's another shot of the pass. side (non) fitment.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11090005.jpg

Drivers side.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11090003.jpg

As you can see in the above pic, the gap is waaaay out at the window edge of the filler panel. The actual problem appears to be on the pass. side, where the panel needs to move forward at least 1/4&quot; as evidenced by the discrepancy in the body lines in the following pic. (some trimming is obviously required here)

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7..._11090010B.jpg

Only problem is, once the flange in the trunk gutter area is trimmed and the panel is moved forward into position, it appears it may leave a gap in the gutter which will have to be filled, and it will likely throw off the gutter alignment as well.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11090011.jpg

However, once the pass. side of the panel moves forward, this *should* tighten up the gap at the deck filler/quarter junction on the drivers side...but it appear it's going to throw the drivers side gutter rail alignment off in the process as well.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11090004.jpg

At least it's starting to look like a car again, even if it's only temporarily.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7..._11090009B.jpg

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Going back to the pics from a few days ago, here's 3 quick shots to show how well the inners &amp; outers meet up with each other and with the quarters.

Pass. side forward edge:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11090007.jpg

Center:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11090006.jpg

Rear:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...0_11090008.jpg

Body guy commenced to mumbling to himself after we temporarily sat the deck lid back in place, so I took that as my cue to let him get back to work w/o me under foot.

More later.

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Well, for all intents and purposes it's back together and in one piece. There is still a little final welding to do, but the panels are all now permanently in place. Body guy was in the process of grinding down some welds when we arrived today.

Yet again, apologies in advance for the blurry pics...stupid camera just doesn't want to cooperate with me for some reason (at least that's what I'm telling myself...yeah, that's it...it's the camera's fault...)

Pass. side quarter in its new home:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/1-1.jpg

Drivers side:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/9.jpg

Body guy said that aside from having to seriously re-work the deck filler panel, everything actually went together surprisingly well. The only other serious hurdle was to get the trunk drop-offs fitted, but thankfully they were long on material instead of short.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/7.jpg

Look ma, it fits!!!

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/3-1.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/4.jpg

<span style="font-weight: bold">THAT'S</span> more like it.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/5.jpg

There's still some more fitting to do in order to get the gaps where body guy wants them, but they're not too bad all things considered.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/2-1.jpg

Still some tweaking to do to get the trunk gaps on the quarters dialed in, but body guy is already on the case.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/6.jpg

Some of the excised remnants.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/8.jpg

Body guy says the back half of the car will be finished and in primer ready to block out in the next week or so. Once the back of the car is done he'll get the windshield filler panel taken care of.

More later.

Re: Chevelle updates
 

It looks great Eric.... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Great progress Eric. Thanks for the blow by blow!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: Chevelle updates
 

Look'in Good!!!

Re: Chevelle updates
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kwhizz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Look'in Good!!! </div></div>

Agreed!

Re: Chevelle updates
 

A quick update with a few pics and some very sad news to report:

The back of the car is essentially finished save for one more coat of primer on the DS quarter and a little more blocking on the deck filler panel. The deck lid and pass. side quarter are basically finished as is the rear body panel, and bodyguy says everything's turning out great.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/D-1.jpg

Remember what a mess this was??

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/A-1.jpg

The issues with the rolled edges on the quarters at the trunk channel have been fixed as well.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/C-1.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/VMCP777/B-1.jpg

Now for the sad news;

Last Thursday, Dale Robbins, who was the owner of the shop where the work is being done, passed away unexpectedly. I only knew Dale casually, but he was always extremely pleasant and professional with me, and I am sincerely saddened at his loss.

In light of this development, this raised the question of whether or not my bodyguy was going to be able to continue to use Dale's shop, but bodyguy informs me that Dale's widow has no problem with him continuing to use the shop as he needs, which provided a bittersweet (and quite awkward) relief for both he and I.

Along those lines, bodyguy and I have tentatively worked out an agreement to go ahead and have him finish the rest of the car, including paint. I am now in a quite precarious situation as a result, but given the circumstances (and out of courtesy) I don't want to risk over-extending the car's stay there any longer than necessary.

Bodyguy says he should be able to have the car done somewhere around April or May, which means that <span style="text-decoration: underline">hopefully</span> I'll be able to finally wrap this phase of the project up once and for all.

There may be a few more updates in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.