My billy build thread (66GTO)

[cavmsg]

In the beginning their was bits and pieces. These are the pics from the day I picked her up and brought it home.

[cavmsg]

Sorry for the mass picture postings as well as being out of sequence, got about 6 months worth of work to get caught up on. This is the majority of the body work I have completed before pulling the frame out, currently the body is on the rotissary. I have the drivers rear quarter to finish and and the underside has yet to be touched. I moved onto the frame to break the monotony of body work, just wanted to get all the patch welding done before coming off the frame.



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[cavmsg]

Finished the frame rail notch this weekend, a full 11 hours of cutting and welding. I am pleased with the outcome, although since I am running Ride Tech air that I may box the inner side of the frame to gain some additional strength.

I have been searching the net for a list of weak points on the A body frame, one of the most common being the LCA (frame side) I hope to have the fix for this tonight. Anyone have any other thoughts on stress points that need to be addressed, hope to get them all addressed while the frame is out.

Thanks

[65_LS1_T56]

check out ABC Performance at www.abcperformance.net
He offers some frame improvement options as well as widened inner wheel tubs.

[cavmsg]

Thanks I will check that site out for the tub, I have yet to see a tub specifially for a 66 GTO. Below are the pics from this past weekend, as well as the LCA modifications. There is still a bunch of weld clean up but need to resupply my grinding tools.


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Thinking I need to run a short gussett on the LCA support piece I added.

[NASH JUDGE]

looking good. nice work, this is coming together nicely. keep us posted

[cavmsg]

THanks Nash Judge, I couldnt do this without the superb write-ups of those on this site.

[cavmsg]

Might be dabbling in a little bit of overkill on my frame notch project. I decided to forgo adding mass to the inner side of the rail and run a piece of 1/8" strap accross the the top.601276012860129601306013160132601336013460135

[acegto]

Cool mods. Like your bracing under the floorboards.

[cavmsg]

Thanks aceqot. No new pics yet, but finished cleaning up the welding, everything was POR-15'd, now in tie coat primer waiting to get its final coat of chassis black. Got the front end taken apart and currently on Craigslist pending my Ride Tech parts to come in so I can install. It will be nice to put something together rather than taking it apart. Hope to get some Fathers Day time in the garage tomorrow.