Update On My '68 Chevelle - With Pictures

[Greg]

After I removed the front suspension, engine, and transmission, this is what I started with.
New Mexico car, no corrosion, just 40 years of gunk and grime...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/engineremoval14-1.jpg


This is the same area after cleaning, scraping, sanding, painting, and installation of my Global West control arms, lowering springs, and new rotors.
I also lifted the body about a foot or so off of the frame, so the rest of the frame and the entire underside is also cleaned and painted...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/Picture018-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/Picture016-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/Picture019-1.jpg


Next, I'll be finishing up the front disc brake conversion and installing my Hotchkis steering linkage.
Then, it'll be time to install a new rear end, rear springs, and rear control arms.

I'll keep this thread updated as I progress.

Regards,
-Greg

[Part Time]

Very nice. How long have you been working on it? Looks like you are making good progress.

[Conrad283]

Nice suspension you got there ....

[Greg]

Very nice. How long have you been working on it?

Thanks. I took the car apart in Winter of '09, but I really started working in earnest on it earlier this year.

I removed all of the body mounts and raised the body off of the frame about a foot and a half, then it was a matter of meticulously scraping and cleaning the frame and underbody.
I then got a Devilbiss spray gun and painted everything with chassis black epoxy.

Once I had all of that stuff done, I felt I had rounded a corner with the car as I started the process of rebuilding it with new, quality parts.
I installed all new body mount bushings, lowered the body, and bolted it back on the frame, and then started putting together my front suspension as in the pictures above.

I also installed a new, one piece steel fuel line while I had the body jacked up.
I didn't want to use stainless flexi-hose, or any other short cuts.
I'm also going to completely re-wire the car.

As I said, I'll keep the thread updated as I progress.

-Greg

[Greg]

Nice suspension you got there...

Thanks.

-Greg

[Conrad283]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/engineremoval14-1.jpg



This is about where I am with my Nova ... Did you use any chemicals to strip it? how did you sand it? What kinda paint did you use?

[CruizinKev]

looking good very nice!

[Greg]

Did you use any chemicals to strip it?

I actually used "Easy Off" oven cleaner on the real gunked up areas.
Sprayed it on and let it sit, then easily scraped the gunk off with a putty knife.
For the rest of the underbody, I used "Purple Power" in a spray bottle that I got from Lowes.
I then went over everything with a rag soaked in mineral spirits to remove any chemical residue in preparation for paint.





how did you sand it? What kinda paint did you use?

The car is from New Mexico...built at the Fremont, California plant and spent its entire life in the arid Southwest, so there was fortunately no rust to speak of on the underbody.
After cleaning, all I had to do was scruff it up with sandpaper by hand to give the paint a good surface to adhere to.

I sprayed the frame and underbody with a satin texture, black chassis paint.

I'll post a picture later on of underneath the car.

-Greg

[Greg]

looking good very nice!

Thanks, appreciate it.

-Greg

[68firebird]

Looks great, keep up the good work!

[1971CHEVELLE]

Looks very good

[Conrad283]

I actually used "Easy Off" oven cleaner on the real gunked up areas.
Sprayed it on and let it sit, then easily scraped the gunk off with a putty knife.
For the rest of the underbody, I used "Purple Power" in a spray bottle that I got from Lowes.
I then went over everything with a rag soaked in mineral spirits to remove any chemical residue in preparation for paint.




The car is from New Mexico...built at the Fremont, California plant and spent its entire life in the arid Southwest, so there was fortunately no rust to speak of on the underbody.
After cleaning, all I had to do was scruff it up with sandpaper by hand to give the paint a good surface to adhere to.

I sprayed the frame and underbody with a satin texture, black chassis paint.

I'll post a picture later on of underneath the car.

-Greg

Thanks a lot for the info