Official Build Thread of my 1967 Chevelle

[garickman]

Well here it is. The official build thread of my 1967 Chevelle Pro-Touring Police Tribute Car. Dominator Street Rods located in Tracy California is now the major sponsor of this build. They are building the one-off chassis as well as building the complete custom floor and trunk pans and the mini tubs. They are also assisting me with some custom metal work that I am doing on the body in my home garage. Here are a few details about the car;
ENGINE
Al Aluminum 572 Big Block
Callies Crank Shaft
Callies Connecting Rods
Comp Cams Cam Shaft
Comp Cams Magnum Roller Rockers
Comp Cams Stud Girdle
JE Pistons
Vintage Air Front Runner
Jesel Belt Drive
Canton Racing Oil Pan and Accessories
Intake Manifold (TBD)
ATI Super Damper
Electromotive Crank Fire
Canton Racing Accusump

TRANSMISSION

T-56 Magnum 6 Speed
Ram Dual Disc Clutch
Lakewood Scatter Shield

SUSPENSION /CHASSIS

One-off Custom Built Chassis
One-off Custom Built Upper and Lower Control Arms (Front)
One-off Custom Built Upper and Lower Control Arms (Rear)
Speedway Engineering IRS Quick Change Rear End
ATS Spindles Front and Rear
Modified ZR-1 Corvette Racing Hubs Front and Rear
Custom Built Front and Rear Sway Bars
Afco Racing Double Adjustable Coil-overs with RemoteReservoirs

WHEELS ANDTIRES

Forgeline GA3R 19X12 Rear
Forgeline GA3R 18X10 Front
Michelin PS2 345/30/19 Rear
Michelin PS2 285/35/18

Special thanks to Ben Hermance for the awesome rendering and guidance in getting this project off the ground.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Cant wait to see the pics!

Once you get the Photos uploaded, put your cursor over the photo you want to use, and a white box will surround it, with 4 different coding options. Go all the way to the bottom, where it says "IMG code", and move your cursor over the box. It usually will automatically copy the link, but if not, left click on the code and it will copy it. Then, just right click on your post and left click "paste", and the image code is loaded. Once you submit the post, the pic will show up. I usually hit return between each pic, so they don't run together.

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Sounds like a very nice build Greg. Question - how did you modify the ZR1 hubs?

[daytonayellaz]

Cant wait to see the pics on this one!

[garickman]

Cant wait to see the pics!

Once you get the Photos uploaded, put your cursor over the photo you want to use, and a white box will surround it, with 4 different coding options. Go all the way to the bottom, where it says "IMG code", and move your cursor over the box. It usually will automatically copy the link, but if not, left click on the code and it will copy it. Then, just right click on your post and left click "paste", and the image code is loaded. Once you submit the post, the pic will show up. I usually hit return between each pic, so they don't run together.

Thanks for the info, I will work on that tonight.

[garickman]

Sounds like a very nice build Greg. Question - how did you modify the ZR1 hubs?

Ron, I am not quite sure how they needed to be modified. I think the diameter had to be machined down slightly. When I ordered the spindles from Blake at Speed Tech, he said the ZR-1 hubs would not work in the ATS spindles unless they were modified slightly. Basically I put Dominator Steet Rods in touch with Blake and they worked out the modifications.

[garickman]

Here are some pics of the initial mock up of the frame rails. The engine is pretty much complete with the exception of the manifold. The valve covers are CNC machined out of 2 twenty pound chunks of solid billet. The breathers are machined into the interior walls and will exit out the rear of the valve covers via -10 AN fitting. They will both breath into a catch can which will be custom made and mounted on the rear of the firewall. The valve covers will be anodized black, and yes I did paint the aluminum block black with the POR-15 engine painting kit. POR-15 is one of my more than 40 sponsors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[garickman]

Here are a few pics of some items provided by my sponsors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[sick63nova]

nice cant wait to see the progress

[garickman]

Here's a few pics of the billet valve covers. They will be either anodized or power coated black to match the engine. The 572 logo will be white.

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

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

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

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

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

[garickman]

Received the personal license plates earlier this week. Hope they are easily understandable.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/HRO4EVR002-1.jpg

[garickman]

Over the weekend we started to mock up the Independent Rear Suspension from Speedway Engineering.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[craigs73]

sweet build!!! this should be fun to watch

[sick63nova]

going to be one sweet chevelle

[BCHALK22]

Nice build I was at that funeral sad day. I work for an agency close to Oakland and have buddies at OPD as well. Cant wait to check out this ride i already told my SGT about it he wants to check it out.

[garickman]

Thanks guys for the positive feedback, we should have it ready for SEMA. We will be bringing the rolling chassis to GoodGuys in Pleasanton for the first show of the year in March.

[Crestronwizard]

sweet......I love this year Chevelle

[garickman]

Started shaving the drip rails tonight. I am cutting the drip rail in 6 inch sections and welding it up before cutting the next 6 inch section.

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

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

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

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

[craigs73]

i like the shaved look.... am thinking of doing this to my nova.... is that flare where the rail used to be something you added or was that there just couldnt see it with drip rails there

[MrQuick]

looks good Greg, watch that temperature dude.

[garickman]

i like the shaved look.... am thinking of doing this to my nova.... is that flare where the rail used to be something you added or was that there just couldnt see it with drip rails there

That little flare is already there. I didn't now that is how it would look, but I am glad it was there, looks alot better than just totally smooth.

[garickman]

looks good Greg, watch that temperature dude.

Yeah, sure wish I had a tig welder. Oh that's right I don't know how to tig weld.:hmm:

[craigs73]

how hard is removing the drip rail

[garickman]

It is not as bad as I thought it would be. I am just being really careful. I tried to read up on a lot of forums before I started. That is where I got the idea of the 6" incriments. As you shave the drip rail it exposes the are where the metal from the roof meets the metal from the window chanel and it seperates. This needs to be welded back together before you move on to the next section. At least on my car, there is seam sealer where the two metals were joined together so it is kind of a pain in the butt to get it clean for a good weld. In some areas where it was bad, I cut a small groove in it with a thin cut-off wheel so I could get a cleaner weld. As I start on the other side, I will try to take better close up pics so you can see what I am talking about.

[garickman]

how hard is removing the drip rail

The picture is not that great but this will give you a better idea about what I was talking about when you cut the drip rail off and the metal seperates. This is the last 6 inches on the drivers side.

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

[garickman]

Needed a change of pace from the drip rails so I decided to clean up my trunk hinges and make them a little more presentable.

Here is the before....
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

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

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

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

[craigs73]

Thanks greg for the tips.. What did you do on the hinges just shave off the excess?

[garickman]

Thanks greg for the tips.. What did you do on the hinges just shave off the excess?

Yeah, I just shaved off the excess lip and boxed it in with 16ga. I ran a small piece of tubing through the hinge and the new piece of 16ga so there is still some play to adjust the deck lid.

[gearbanger]

I am pretty sure you cant run the a/c compressor the way you have it mounted. I think it needs to be flipped up 180 degrees and there are some hard lines that route around back of the compressor that you need. It has something to do with lubrication of the compressor.

[garickman]

I am pretty sure you cant run the a/c compressor the way you have it mounted. I think it needs to be flipped up 180 degrees and there are some hard lines that route around back of the compressor that you need. It has something to do with lubrication of the compressor.

Wow, thanks for the heads up. I didn't even notice that, my engine builder installed the front drive. I will be sure to change it. That is one of coolest things about having a build thread. Someone always notices the things you missed. Thanks again!

[garickman]

Here is a quick look at the mirrors I am using for this project. The body of the mirror is gloss black and the moveable portion is a matte black. I used the two shades of black to go with everything else. I am using Ring Brothers door handles which are also gloss black and matte black. All my trim on the car as well as the grill will be matte black and the Forgeline wheels will be matte blacke with a gloss black lip. The mirrors are not power but they do have integrated led turn signals.

Sorry for the bad pics but you get the idea.

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

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

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

[garickman]

Went and picked up the 304 stainless from SPD Exhaust. The headers will be fabricated in house by Dominator Street Rods.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

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

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

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

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

[MrQuick]

nice flanges...they sells those too?


btw...you need to learn how to tig. :)

[garickman]

nice flanges...they sells those too?


btw...you need to learn how to tig. :)

Yeah, the flanges are CNC machined. They had me take a rubbing of my exhaust ports and machined them to that. The owner took me on a tour of their facility today. Pretty impresive set up and thier quality control is insane. I am saving my pennies in the hopes of getting a tig welder, then I'll teach myself.:twothumbs

[garickman]

Made a little more progress on the chassis.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

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

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

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

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

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

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

[garickman]

Made a little more progress on the chassis.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

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

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

[garickman]

We started to lay out and mock up the front suspension.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[CruizinKev]

WOW killer fab work!!! looks great!! :twothumbs :twothumbs

[dug]

Love the chassis being built. Hurry up and get some more pictures up man!

[garickman]

Love the chassis being built. Hurry up and get some more pictures up man!

I'm working on it! Hopefully we will have the front suspension finished up next week. After that, we will start mocking up the IRS.

[garickman]

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

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

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

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

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

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

[garickman]

Here is some pics of my manifold conversion to EFI.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[garickman]

We started to make templates and lay out the calntilever shocks for the IRS. We also started to mock up the exhaust.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[garickman]

Mock up.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[csouth]

What an awesome build and for a great cause. I would say this is "serious bidness"!....

[garickman]

What an awesome build and for a great cause. I would say this is "serious bidness"!....

Thanks for the compliments, here is a quick picture of the completed manifold conversion.

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

[garickman]

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

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

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

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

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

[ILLMATIC]

wow wow

[dug]

Damn. Beautiful.

[Protour_Pinto]

Incredible level of detail!

Is this going to be a driver or more of a piece to promote your cause? The reason im asking is the rear LCA will be fine as it is but if you plan on putting some sticky rubber on it and plan to take it to the track or autocross then I would think of putting a trailing arm on it to keep the stress off the center section.

[garickman]

Incredible level of detail!

Is this going to be a driver or more of a piece to promote your cause? The reason im asking is the rear LCA will be fine as it is but if you plan on putting some sticky rubber on it and plan to take it to the track or autocross then I would think of putting a trailing arm on it to keep the stress off the center section.

It is both. I will use it to promote my cause,but it will be a driver also. We do plan to take it to the track as well as autocross. I am not on expert on suspensions by any means but I have read up alot and looked at hundreds of pictures. I brought up that point to the builder about the trailing arms and he felt they may not be necessary. I am sure I will be able to convince him to use the trailing arms. Thanks for the input.

[garickman]

Here is a couple of pictures of the engine mock up, we are in the process of making motor mounts. The engine has been set back about two inches and dropped down a little more than an inch.

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

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

[garickman]

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

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

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

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

[settintrendz]

Love those chevelles. Killer job on the chassis.

[KnightMare]

Awesome work on the chassis. Can't wait to see the level of detail y'all do to it

[garickman]

Thanks for the compliments. Once the frame is done, I will start posting some build pics of the body mods.

[Hotwhilz]

Nice rear set up! how does the leverage goes as far as actionning the shocks? Any special ration or a plain 1 to 1?

[garickman]

Nice rear set up! how does the leverage goes as far as actionning the shocks? Any special ration or a plain 1 to 1?

Just plain 1 to 1

[CruizinKev]

wow looks sick! :twothumbs too bad you have to cover all that chassis art with a body :)

[garickman]

wow looks sick! :twothumbs too bad you have to cover all that chassis art with a body :)

Not all of it though. The cantilever shocks you will still be able to see through a window in the package tray/rear firewall area and you will be able to see them when the trunk is open. I am going to modify the inner fenders so you will have a pretty good view of the motor mounts and the front mounted resevoirs. I am going way outside the norm on the color I am going to jet-hot the coat the exhaust. I am doing all of the body mods and metal work in my garage. Hopefully it will turn out ok as this is my first time at doing any kind of metal work. The mods include a smoothed firewall, relocated wiper motor, raised floor, new package tray and rear firewall, mini tubs, new trunk floor, shaved drip rails, custom tail panel, roof mounted third brake light, custom front and rear bumpers, and a custom grill.

[garickman]

wow looks sick! :twothumbs too bad you have to cover all that chassis art with a body :)

Not all of it though. The cantilever shocks you will still be able to see through a window in the package tray/rear firewall area and you will be able to see them when the trunk is open. I am going to modify the inner fenders so you will have a pretty good view of the motor mounts and the front mounted resevoirs. I am going way outside the norm on the color I am going to jet-hot the coat the exhaust. I am doing all of the body mods and metal work in my garage. Hopefully it will turn out ok as this is my first time at doing any kind of metal work. The mods include a smoothed firewall, relocated wiper motor, raised floor, new package tray and rear firewall, mini tubs, new trunk floor, shaved drip rails, custom tail panel, roof mounted third brake light, custom front and rear bumpers, and a custom grill.

[parsonsj]

Good looking stuff! Like Vince, watch the heat. Your HAZ seems really big. Also, be ready for lead as you transition from the roof to the quarter panel.

[garickman]

Your HAZ seems really big.

If I had a nickle for everytime I've heard that.:lmao:

No really what does that mean. I am still trying to dial in the wire speed along with the heat setting. I have a 230V hobart mig. The heat settings are just numbers 1,2,3 and 4. I usually have it on 2 but it seems like I don't get good penetration sometimes.

[parsonsj]

I don't know the Hobart welder, but you might try setting your amperage on 3, up your wire speed to match, and reduce the weld time. I usually tack weld hotter than when I final weld.

[MrQuick]

plus wait a bit longer between tacks....stagger if you can. Some situations you cannot.

[garickman]

I wasn't really feelin' the old transmission mount so I cut it out and made a new one with a driveshaft loop included. I designed it to look similar to the motor mounts.

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

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

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