The Great Chevelle Reunion, 70 Chevelle Project

[Idesigner]

So I am one of the lucky guys who can say "I still have my first car". I can't believe it has been 11 years since I got my Chevelle. Thanks to a lot of reading, some free weekends and Lots of help from my brother and and a great friend Andy my car would not be were it is today. But I don’t even come close to having a 1/4 of the knowledge or experience most of the projects I see on here do. I am just amazed at the talent and projects that I find on here. I have posted a few times with some problems and such in the past but am now going to offically going to start my own Project thread.

So I am not really sure why I have not formally introduced myself to all you guys here sooner? Hmmm? My car is currently about 240 miles away from me. I have been living in Providence RI for about 3 years now. I took the plunge as a hungry Product and Industrial Designer Looking for a new job out of school but am now happy and pleased to call providence RI home. But I am sorry to say my car is currently sleeping in my parents garage in Philadelphia area. I have yet to be able to afford the cost shipping, driving and or the hefty storage fees for a place to keep it and work on it.

So this is about the adventure of being reunited with my Chevelle, and some smaller weekend projects on her along the way.

So for the car and the direction of where it is going,

When I first built the car I was going toward a street-strip car, but in the last 2-3 years changed direction to more of a pro-touring theme. But my main goal is to drive this car, which sadly i must say i don't get to do much.

Current Projects

1- Dash, Replacing the current sweep dash with an SS dash with autometer gauges.
2- Researching and preparing for new suspension mods. Thinking of going with the SC and C Stage 2 plus kit. But still trying to choice what shocks and spring to go with? Do you guys have any thoughts on this?


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/12/DSC_1089-1.jpg
First Day i Put my New Wheels on the car this winter! Sorry i had not even gotten the center caps yet. Now i just need to lower this thing!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/P1010425-1.jpg

[Idesigner]

So before i left work today i managed to head into the shop and snap some quick pictures of the new dash i am building for the car. I am exciting to be removing the old sweep dash and replace with this new SS style dash so i might actually have a fuel gauge that works!!

Sorry for the smaller pictures, Just used the Iphone for these...

First Gauages mounted in the housing.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/mail-1.jpg

Test fitting the Housing to the new dash.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/mail2-1.jpg


Some of the Mounting Brackets out of ABS plastic to mount the autometer gauages into place.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/mail3-1.jpg


I wanted to hide the modern radio and not cut up my new dash so put it inside the glove box. I also mounted a trans Temp gauge ( will remove it once i go to a manuel), electric fan switch, and Radio. To make this pannel I made quick ai. file and had a local laser cutting guy cut it out some thin stock for me. Thanks BUD!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/mail1-1.jpg

[brans72]

Nice work and great car! Mind showing more on the backside of gauges with info? Now to the suspension what is your budget first off,how much time beating verus driving it on the road? I don't think you can go wrong with SC&C great products.You can find some great info on Team Chevelle (Chevelles.com) in pro-touring section or suspension. Great looking car you got making me jealous! Brandon

[Idesigner]

Thanks so much Brandon!!

Here is some more info on the Gauges….

I added some better pic’s to help show how I attached the gauges to the housing. For a material I used ABS plastic because the housing was made of ABS as well so it was perfect for solvent Bonding them together and then following that bond screws to hold them into place. All of the gauges that are placed in the housing except the center fuel level gauge are pressed against the back of the housing unlike the traditional method of dropping them into the holes. (The only one I dropped in was the fuel level center gauge). I made brackets to put pressure against the housing holding the gauges in place.




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/DSC06231-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/DSC06232-1.jpg




So I was hoping to keep my first round of work to under 2k for shocks, springs front upper control arms and maybe rear upper control arms. These seem to be the big weak point in the traditional A body suspension. I will be doing 95% of my driving on the road just driving around. 5% Auto Cross and Drag Strip.

So this is what I was thinking for my suspension mods…

Shocks – IAS edelbrock
Springs – APC (pro-Touring Spring)
Front Upper Control Arms – Stage Two Plus Kit from SC& C
Rear Upper Control Arms – Currie

Things I am still on the fence about are how to get the car at the proper ride height and if I do the edelbrock shocks or the Varishocks. The Varishocks just do not seem worth my money for the type of driving I do.

So I think the car is really in need lowering and I think it will looks tons better!

Today I got a special delivery of some parts that I had powder coated. I did my valve covers in a black wrinkle coating and I made a top rad support cover which I powder coated in a semi gloss. Just want to share them with everyone. I am really happy with how the Rad support turned out!




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/DSC05593-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/DSC05591-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/DSC05590-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/DSC05586-1.jpg

[The WidowMaker]

id look into a single adjustable shock for the front and rear. afco, varishock etc....

stage 2 kit is a good place to start on the front. if your lowers arent cracked just keep them. the curries are awesome for the rear, and then all you really need is a set of marks sway bars and a steering box and youre set.

[brans72]

Now all you need to do is make a set of templates of those gauge pieces and mail them to me. :)
I say go with the better shock,stage 2 kit and set of good springs with currie upper and lowers.

[68firebird]

those rims are sweet, nice chevelle!!!!

[MIGOAT]

Man that looks good I'm thinking of something similar to the corvans setp but I lik the idea of leaving the dash the same

[Idesigner]

Thanks Guys!

Brandon – That’s why I did it out of plastic, just sand a little till I get it right. Hmmm I might actually have some cardboard templetes. I made at least 3 of them till I got it right. I will dig around and see if I can find them for you.

Rene P – Thanks Man! Thanks to Jon because they are New Gens from Drivers Inc. They look even better with center caps!

MIGOAT - Yeah, that’s the reason I went this way, I really wanted to do the SS dash because I think the original designers did a better job than corvans.

[brans72]

SS dash is always better in my book in a Chevelle. That would be GREAT if you had a set of extra templates laying around you can spare. Brandon

[94SNGLTURBO]

i want to see some underhood shots.. very nice car

[Idesigner]

Next time i am at home with the car i will take some under the hood shots for sure!

Promise to look tomorrow for those templates Brandon.

Does anyone have any experience with any of the DSE stuff? I see they now sell they stuff in parts not just kits. Does anyone have any experience and know if i will have any issues with having the DSE Coilovers up front and the Varishock with the DSE drop springs in the rear?

[copternadley]

So I am one of the lucky guys who can say "I still have my first car". I can't believe it has been 11 years since I got my Chevelle. Thanks to a lot of reading, some free weekends and Lots of help from my brother and and a great friend Andy my car would not be were it is today. But I don’t even come close to having a 1/4 of the knowledge or experience most of the projects I see on here do. I am just amazed at the talent and projects that I find on here. I have posted a few times with some problems and such in the past but am now going to offically going to start my own Project thread.

So I am not really sure why I have not formally introduced myself to all you guys here sooner? Hmmm? My car is currently about 240 miles away from me. I have been living in Providence RI for about 3 years now. I took the plunge as a hungry Product and Industrial Designer Looking for a new job out of school but am now happy and pleased to call providence RI home. But I am sorry to say my car is currently sleeping in my parents garage in Philadelphia area. I have yet to be able to afford the cost shipping, driving and or the hefty storage fees for a place to keep it and work on it.

So this is about the adventure of being reunited with my Chevelle, and some smaller weekend projects on her along the way.

So for the car and the direction of where it is going,

When I first built the car I was going toward a street-strip car, but in the last 2-3 years changed direction to more of a pro-touring theme. But my main goal is to drive this car, which sadly i must say i don't get to do much.

Current Projects

1- Dash, Replacing the current sweep dash with an SS dash with autometer gauges.
2- Researching and preparing for new suspension mods. Thinking of going with the SC and C Stage 2 plus kit. But still trying to choice what shocks and spring to go with? Do you guys have any thoughts on this?


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/12/DSC_1089-1.jpg
First Day i Put my New Wheels on the car this winter! Sorry i had not even gotten the center caps yet. Now i just need to lower this thing!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/P1010425-1.jpg

Man this is sweet. Love it!

[tom_a]

Those are nice wheels. Are teh New Gens? Also what size are your tires?

Thanks,

[BossaNova]

Those wheels look really good on your car.

Love the radiator support and valve covers. Looks like whoever did the powder coating did a really good job.

Keep up the good work!

[Idesigner]

First of all, thanks guys for all the nice complements! I am sorry i have no posted in lately but i have been working to much. (Don't we all) But i am going to be starting my suspension work real soon!

tom_a - Yes they are the New Gen Wheels from Jon at driverz Inc. It took a lot of time for me to figure out which wheel to put on the car. I was back and fourth on a lot of different wheels. But I think the Decenio is a great design for me that balances a old school retro look in a newer style in an 18 inch wheel. they really set it off. I wish it was lowered more but i am working on that right now.

The rear Tires are The Nitto Drag Radial 305/40 R18 Front are Nitto 555 275/35 R18.

[Idesigner]

So here is an update to my current dash project.

I finished making the mounts to attach the gauges to the housing last weekend so today i took on the wiring part of this project. This is really my first time doing a major wiring job like this, i was pretty nervous and kept calling my brother for his guidence.

This morning started with a trip to Nerd Shack to get all the parts i needed and here is what i ended up with. That P-Touch left blisters on my thumbs. I tired to make sure I left plenty of wire for the senders and main hook ups. I also ran all the wires over to the gloove box for my trans temp gauage.

Let me know if you see any problems?

Thanks!
Tom
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/06/DSC05885-1.jpg

[70SS98SS]

have a 70 also and an extra dash. got pics from the front? thanks

[lambskin71]

I have a 71 Chevelle and Ive been trying to figure out how to do exactly whaat you did with my gauges. I didnt want the covans look. I bought the Auto Meter Designer Black ones but they dont fit in the bezle ribht I dont remember what size mine are.

What size are your gauges and where do you fing ABS plastic and bonding solvent?

[Idesigner]

70SS98SS - Here is a picture of the front looking at the gauges.

Lambskin71 - The two larger gauges are 3 3/8 and all the smaller ones are 2 1/16. and yes yeah they will not fit into the bezel, all of the gauges need to be pushed up to the back of the bezel from behind the gauge. You then need a material to keep pressure against them to keep them secured in place.

You don't need to use ABS plastic or Bonding solvent. It is just what I had around. Aluminum and screws would be another good choice. But the solvent bonding liquid is called MEK, you can get it at home depot and I am sure you can get any thickness of ABS you need at mcmaster-carr.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/06/IMG_2086-1.jpg

[68firebird]

that dash looks great. I was gonna put some autometers in mine too, and I actually started it, but I don't want the hassle right now of trying to trace where all the wires need to go an all that BS. I just want to get it on the friggan road. what do all your wires attach to, some kind of distribution block or something. I'm sorry, I'm a moron at electrical.

[lambskin71]

Thanks, that dash looks really nice. I messed mine up pretty good trying to do what you did, fortunately it wasnt new, it was given to me and already had some damage to it. It will do for now though, I'm more concerned about getting it running and all the gremlins worked out the I'll start on the cosmetics. I hope to put some Fessler door pannels in it and have the seats that I got out of a 99 SAAB 92 and the back seat wrapped in matching leather.

[Idesigner]

So it has been to long since I have posted any updates on the car, I have been a slacker in that department, but that does not mean I haven’t had lots of different projects going on with the car. Somewhere between work and getting engaged recently (which in turn means planning for a wedding) I have been swamped! I am sure I am preaching to the choir here from the size of projects I see some of you guys tackling.

So, some of the recent projects in the past few weekends have been------------------------------------------------

Installed SS Dash
So after building the dash over the winter I finally got the chance to install the new SS dash and remove the old sweep dash which I had before. I still have a bunch of loose ends to figure out with it. Such as, the Speedo needle seems to spike for no reason some times. I am not sure what is up? Maybe a loose ground? I also need to put in a new fuel gauge sender in so get that working. Figure out how to set up some turn signals and high beam idiot lights. But it is awesome to have a working Tach and Speedo in the dash!

SC & C stage 2+ Front End kit.
Last weekend I installed the whole kit with only a few hi-cups. I also need to give some thanks to Mark from SC & C for going out of his way and getting me my parts on a Friday morning when he did not need to.
Laser Front Alignment. I got the number dialed in perfectly to the specs that mark had provided in the kit.

SPC springs
To get the car lowered to the right height I used the pro-touring springs with front spacers like mark had recommended. I was amazed when I lowered the car how perfect the stance was. It could not have been more dead on.

Bilstien shocks
I installed front and rear bilstien shocks on the car, replacing my old drag racing shocks.

Future Projects------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuning the motor
I need to get the motor tuned up, the car has been sitting mostly for the last 5 years. I very rarely drive it. So I need to change the fuel filter, Adjust the valves, time it, and clean the carb up.

Interior
I need to do some replacement of interior parts. I am trying to choose if I should move to a black interior or leave it the pearl white? Does anyone have any suggestions about what would look best? The pearl white just gets brown with time but it looks sooo good when it first goes it. Thoughts?....


Here are a couple of updated shots
The new dash. I really need a new wheel! Maybe a tri-spoke orginal style?
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/DSC_1063-1.jpg
Before the new parts.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/DSC_1054-1.jpg
After the new suspension parts.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/DSC_10761-1.jpg

[protouring70]

I personally like black, in all my other cars that was the color. White seems hard to keep clean.

[chunger]

I'll vote for leaving it white. For one, it looks different than the majority of cars out there (most seem to have black interiors) and for two, it goes with your exterior color.

[THE TECH]

Looking good. Any rubbing issues in the front?