64 Chevelle Build

[grr456]

After struggling with a very bad Sch****z chassis where nothing fit, I finally have it permanently mounted in my car. For something that was supposed to be plug and play, not one thing was correct on the chassis. From the steering, control arms, shock mounts to motor mounts and the chassis even hit the body. This took me an extra year+ to get to this point. This was AFTER the car was painted.....I had posted something last year and Mr Sch****z asked me to take it down and they would help me. The instant I took it down, is the instant they stopped talking......But, it is over and done with.........

grr

132047132048132049132050132051132052

132054132055132056132057132058

[Rantheman]

Very nice love early chevelles. Sorry you had a bad time with the frame fitment. Keep us posted will be following

[grr456]

More Schxxxxz incompetence - 2 more things to add to the long list -
Due to me having to literally have to cut the rear section from the frame and remake the kick-ups so the frame will mount to the car I am just getting around to mounting the front suspension.

I bought Wilwood brake adapters directly from them about 5 months ago. There is about 1/8" milled from the mounting face so the radial calipers fit with a minimum of adjusting and spacers.

They milled one correctly, but not the other. Once again, no double checking to see if these will actually work as intended.

As you can see, one is correct, but they've milled the notch from the wrong side on the other. Now, I have to take this somewhere and have it fixed correctly.

Not so correct one
132198

Correct one
132199

In this picture, the mounting screw for the clevis interferes with the steering/lower ball joint mounting arm when the suspension is in droop. That is extra nice as you are trying to turn into a corner and the steering gets hung up on a suspension bolt. I even used a button head scrw to help the problem.

132200

[marolf101x]

If you put the shock in does the suspension droop that far?

[grr456]

If you put the shock in does the suspension droop that far?

That is at a little less than 2" of droop and there is about 2-1/4" to go. While it may never get that far down, it is the point that it can interfere and everyone knows if something can go wrong, it will.....

More Schxxxtz fun - Frame didn't fit under the car, so I had to cut the back half off and repair the kick-ups so they would clear the trunk pan. By cutting the kick-ups off, the shock mounts came with them. So, I put a cross brace thru the frame to mount the shocks......

First picture is where the frame hit the pan - Please note, this was a totally rust free car and no panels were replaced or not even a patch was added last year when it was painted.
Second pic is how I did the kickup
Third is the cross tube for the shocks..

[grr456]

First time on the ground with new chassis.......Been about 6 months on jackstands getting everything to fit correctly....

132437

[Peter Mc Mahon]

You bought the chassis used, do you know that it is designed for your car?

[grr456]

You bought the chassis used, do you know that it is designed for your car?

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!! I sort of resent you asking such a rudimentary question of me. Do you know who I bought it from?

But, to answer your question,
First: I wouldn't have complained about anything if it was for something like a Plymouth or even an Impala and I was trying to adapt it to my
car.

Second: it wasn't cheap by any stretch of the imagination.

Third: I bought it from a well known person who had nothing to gain by lying to me except for ruining his reputation. It had never been assembled
and was never under a car body, which is pretty obvious since it wouldn't even fit. I have never mentioned who I bought it from because I've
never blamed him for an instant and don't want anyone bad mouthing him. To me, even though it was 'Second Hand' it was really still brand
new.

Fourth: I have nothing to gain or lose. I am 65 and still HAVE to work between 55 and 60 hours per week at a regular company in Michigan. I bought
this chassis 1-1/2 years ago thinking it would be a plug and play, more or less. I know what is involved with assembling cars from scratch,
since I've assembled many race cars from just a pile of parts. But, I didn't think they would be this much fabrication involved with something
that is supposed to work out of the box and I am not a fabricator whatsoever. While it hasn't cost much additional money, it has cost me more
than a year in time, which I may or may not have a lot of that left to enjoy something like this left at my age.

Fifth: Even the manufacturer admits it was for my year Chevelle.

I was just very disappointed in the fit and customer service when I was asking for help. Hope that clears up any mis-information.......grr

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Whoa, just a question not an accusation. Thanks anyways.

[raustinss]

OK yeah I say relax on buying Peter's head off ....on to the main issue I am absolutely floored that something like that came from them. I'd tell them your putting the original post back up until they make things right

[grr456]

OK yeah I say relax on buying Peter's head off ....on to the main issue I am absolutely floored that something like that came from them. I'd tell them your putting the original post back up until they make things right

Well, sorry about being so harsh, but it seems like sometimes I am the bad guy and I am not. This just is a sensitive subject to me and like I said, I've literally wasted an entire year futzing with this...

I was told that this was an early chassis and there were some problems with it. I was OKay with that and I did ask for help and information as to what was wrong with it. I was told exactly nothing, zip, zero and zilch.

Everyone needs to also understand, I've never asked for anything free, just information and help as to what else needed to be fixed on one of these early chassis. When I realized the rear cross bar was in the wrong location and missing the bumper and license plate brackets, I contacted them so I could buy them and they said it would be about 2 weeks before they could have something made up. I waited more than a month without hearing anything so I finally made up the brackets myself. Once again, I was going to buy the brackets, but the customer service was lacking. Downhill from there...

grr

[grr456]

Got My Penske Double Adjustable Racing Shocks Installed...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/DSCN5065_zpsukfodbwe-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/DSCN5070_zpsczambuwn-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/DSCN5067_zpsisd66h45-1.jpg

[grr456]

Starting to do final assembly, Finally!
Firewall pad is in
Carpeting is about 50% done. It is cut to size, but seats and belts aren't cut in yet.
Steering column is in...
Put a collapsible steering shaft to the rack...
Heater Box is in...
Hydro-boost is hooked up
Dual Master Cylinders are in...
Started wiring - What a mess...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/DSCN5156_zps8l9alfsm-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/DSCN5157_zpsiplnarox-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/DSCN5158_zpsphilucvq-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/DSCN5151_zps115yavvr-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/DSCN5150_zpsko2ew1ih-1.jpg

[Wraith]

Bummer about the chassis, awesome you are forging ahead, looking goood!

[grr456]

A little further

The intake, carb and valve covers are from my 72 Z/28 that I sold around 1980......

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/DSCN5160_zps5hzzlxez-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/10/DSCN5161_zpsw4a0t7wn-1.jpg

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Looking Good !! Glad you are moving forward !!

[grr456]

After 1-1/2 years I can nearly see the finish line....Some header and exhaust pics at a shop...The header guy took my existing headers completely apart and gave me more clearance to run the plug wires underneath the headers and shortened them a bit so they wouldn't hang down so far. Now the headers and exhaust are close to bottom of the car and won't hit the ground...He had to extensively modify the mufflers and also make a removable crossmember

The headers are now off to powdercoat...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/01/1BPee3Z-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/01/AUMjQCY-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/01/BHkZsLD-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/01/yiYDjpt-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/01/SzFHXQ6-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/01/zqFvJzW-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/01/7bQ4M5Z-1.jpg

Then took the car to the guy who painted the car to have him install the front end sheet metal. I don't trust myself to do this and I am all by myself, so I don't have help, either...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/01/V0NiIoI-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/01/gPHV9JG-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/01/GGY0Djx-1.jpg

Headers are out being powdercoated....
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/01/nkVOcbw-1.jpg

[Chevelle LT1]

Looks like you are making solid progress now! Hope things keep moving forward with no surprises

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Wow what a change from the last post . Looking good as always !!

[grr456]

Car is home....

Going....
136059

Coming Back....
136057136058

[grr456]

Headers have been made , finished and coated...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/BZmQvym-1.jpg

[grr456]

Doesn’t look like much, but I’ve gotten a lot done in the last week. The engine, headers, steering, clutch and shifter are in permanently…I put a bench seat shifter handle to move it back a little. The factory console one was too far forward for me.

The headers fit perfectly and look great.

Going to change the air cleaner, but not sure what style to use. Probably going with a stock Z/28 style…Going to pick some wheels next…

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/pI7QHhT-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/yAdij1N-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/4Npl0dV-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/erj18Up-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[grr456]

My rear tires came today...The fronts should come tomorrow...

Wheels should be here in a week, or two. I went with Rushforth wheels....

I have about 1-1/4" total clearance in the rear, or about 5/8 per side. I hope that is enough....

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/Is7ojmX-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/PNHYpF3-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/Y2qY1Iq-1.jpg

[grr456]

Working on the car for the past couple weeks. Finished brake lines, moved shifter handle back to center of console, mounted rear bumper and working on front bumper.

My Sc*****z chassis didn't have any rear bumper mounts, but had the front ones. I tried buying a rear clip with all of the brackets from them but after 2 months, I got tired of waiting for them to make a set on 'the jig', so I made my own and welded them onto the chassis. Thinking the fronts were OKay, I never even checked them against my original frame, before I sold it.

Anyway, fast forward (?) a year and I am ready to mount the bumpers to the car...The rear bumper fits pretty good even after I had to cut the entire rear clip completely off and remount it because the body didn't fit onto the chassis.

Now I try to mount the front bumper onto the chassis and can't believe it. Doesn't even come close to fitting. The brackets are at least 8" too short, about 1/2" too wide and about 1-1/2" too low. Not one bolt will even line up with the nuts they have welded in the tubing. Rather than flush mount nuts on the inside of the bumper bracket, they drilled a 1" hole and welded around a hex nut. I tried grinding the weld and nut flush with the mount so the bumper bracket would sit flat on the entire mount, but when the weld was nearly flat, the nut fell from the tubing mount.

Since the bumper brackets fit so badly anyway, I just ended up cutting the entire mount from my powdercoated chassis. I am going to make new bumper mounts, weld them to the frame so I can use the factory bumper brackets.

Some pictures of the weeks progress below....There is quite a bit of grinding dust just from cutting the mount from the frame...The mounts are also lying on the floor....

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/2HG6TN1-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/Fo2RFMv-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/xQDiHOy-1.jpg

Comparison of the ones which were originally on the chassis and the new ones I made and welded onto the chassis
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/VjLXi8C-1.jpg

Rear bumper mounted…

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/d8gsotP-1.jpg

New Air Cleaner and brake lines

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/Y87mj8t-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/2VFvoYM-1.jpg

[grr456]

Made new brackets and welded them to the chassis. The front bumper is finally mounted....

Before welding

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/ATBDBvj-1.jpg

From the inside

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/SCfaACY-1.jpg

Tacking it on...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/rxwa9DY-1.jpg

Welding...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/uu2kDTk-1.jpg

More sparks just because they look cool...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/04/vHTxeWc-1.jpg

grr

[grr456]

Finally received the wheels and got them mounted and installed. I am still going to lower the car a little bit more to optimize the control arm angles.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/05/3lAYW4o-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/05/GzQoep2-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/05/jDiO9TE-1.jpg

Closeup of wheels

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/05/FWdnoK0-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/05/rRBC8D0-1.jpg

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Car is looking really good !! What size tires on the rear ?

[grr456]

Car is looking really good !! What size tires on the rear ?

The car is NOT mini tubbed...275-40 x 18 Rear and 248-40 x 18 Front

[beater65]

I love that I know I can fit a 275/40/18. That's size I wanted to run on my 65 wagon.


Man that sucks about the chassis, that's a nightmare when you spend big $$ to get bent over like that.

[grr456]

I love that I know I can fit a 275/40/18. That's size I wanted to run on my 65 wagon.


Man that sucks about the chassis, that's a nightmare when you spend big $$ to get bent over like that.

Yeah, but that is all over and done with now. That being said, remember that my chassis is narrower than a factory chassis in the rear and all I have are the inner fender wells to contend with. I actually have a little more room towards the back...

Gary

[grr456]

Been a while....In the final stretch...
Brakes are all finished
Exhaust is in for the final time
Fuel tank is in and lines have been run
Battery has been mounted in the trunk and cables have been run to the front
Wiring is about 75%. Just need to finish modifying the front harness and hang the wires in the trunk.

Pics........

Got the battery mounted into the trunk
Batt
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/06/UlyEto6-1.jpg

Ran the fuel lines and pos and neg cables to the front of the car
Wiring
Looking towards the back of the car – Pass side
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/06/T4tkDs5-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/06/IeyNXqV-1.jpg

Looking up at the engine – Need to lengthen the pos cable
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/06/yelZYa8-1.jpg

Looking down at the pos cable – I want it to run parallel to the neg cable and fuel line.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/06/nB6X9E2-1.jpg

Still have to finish the front harness and that is about it…
Wiring mess
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/06/WEpG6wo-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/06/9IJezGY-1.jpg


Fuel Line – Fuel Filter
Looking towards the front at fuel filter
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/06/VzbHUzG-1.jpg

Looking towards the front
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/06/ykoGha1-1.jpg

Rear bulkhead – Line from tank connects here
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/06/1HXdonF-1.jpg


Problem with fuel tank neck – Too low
Took it to the guy who made my headers and he fixed it while I waited..

Fuel Tank
Before…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/06/KvA8aVV-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/06/Id7By6p-1.jpg

After…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/06/JHDYhhb-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/06/w15gapl-1.jpg


grr