My 66 Chevelle P/T build

[MMcMasters]

I finished the driver's side yesterday and it went very good. I didn't run into any issues at all. I still need to dress the welds on this side but I ran out of 7" discs so I'll take care of that this week.







Next up today was the upper shock mounts. Of all of the steps this was the one that I was a little unsure of because the directions were not very clear. I took a chance today and sent Tony at ABC a text asking for some clarification. I was shocked that he called me right away and explained it. Thats unheard of customer service, on a Sunday no less. Thanks Tony!!

After Tony explained how simple it is, I had them on in short order. You measure from the rear of rear crossmember to the rear edge of the new shock bracket and set it at 13 1/2". The back corner is flush with the top of the frame rail. Then use an angle finder and set the bracket at 8* towards the front of the car. I tacked both in and referenced all of my measurements that I wrote down prior to cutting off the original upper shock mount and it was perfect.





I mocked up the rear end, and installed the new ridetech lower shock brackets, control arms and shocks. Everything went together like it's supposed too.



I havn't welded in the crossmember between the upper shock mounts yet. The mounts are just tacked in for now. The plan for tomorrow is to remove all of the bracing and cut the supports stands down to frame height so I can test fit the body. This will also allow me to relocate the #6 body mount that was removed during the mini tub. I'm really starting to get excited now!! This thing might actually start looking like a car again.

Mike

[tommycomfort]

Awesome progress Mike. Looks like the upper coilover mounts have changed since I did our 66 and bought the kit to do Sam's. I like it!

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Right on!

[MMcMasters]

I had a long list of things I wanted to accomplish today and I was able to get almost all of it done. I removed all of the bracing from the frame and cut my support stands down to the top edge of the frame rail.

I took the body off of the rotisserie and test fit the frame. I wanted to verify the new upper shock brackets would clear the floor pan and I also wanted to re-install the #6 body mounts to the trunk pan and the #6 frame mounts as well.

The shock mounts cleared and the body mounts went on with just a little trimming. I put the body back on the rotisserie and got back to work on the frame. I welded the brackets in permanently and welded in the shock crossmember.

I use my I-Phone for all of my pictures and for whatever reason my phone kept locking up when I tried to use the camera. I was only able to take one picture today. It's pretty boring stuff but here is the only picture for today.

[MMcMasters]

I'm waiting on a few pieces which hopefully will ship this Monday so I have been keeping busy with mocking up the suspension and knocking some little things off my punch list. The upper shock hole had to be drilled out to 3/4" to accept the shock bushing on the new coilovers. The Ride Tech muscle bar needed a few things too.

I had to drill out the stock sway bar mount holes to 5/16 and tap them to 3/8. The muscle bar bracket is bolted up and I used it as a guide to drill and tap a third hole. The bar is pretty cool and very stout.









I also got the #6 body mounts finish welded to the floor and got the trunk seam sealed.



Modest progress but I guess thats better than nothing. I hoping the Fed Ex guy brings me some more stuff to work on this week.

Mike

[MMcMasters]

A few things showed up today, thank you Jody Haag "Jody's Transmissions" for the new Transmission! I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

I should get the mock up block in this weekend to verify oil pan fitment, tie rod clearance and get a trans cross member welded up.













Mike

[andrewb70]

Mike,

Great work.

I suggest you get that bellhousing mounted to your block asap (if you have one) to check alignment. Bob's had a rough time with a QT bell recently. Measure the dowel holes in the bell and report what you find.

Also remember, you need to get that engine down as low as possible in the front crossmember. You'll definitely need to notch that pan to make that happen and still clear the inner tie rods.

Andrew

[MMcMasters]

Andrew,

I won't have the block I plan to build for a while, I'm using a damaged Block for mockup. Unless you think this might buff out


I know how important both parallel and concentric alignment are for a long lasting, smooth shifting transmission. I will definitely report when I get to that point.

Mike

[andrewb70]

...

I know how important both parallel and concentric alignment are for a long lasting, smooth shifting transmission. I will definitely report when I get to that point.

Mike

Mike,

I didn't mean to imply that you don't, but Bob (I forget his name here...he has a 67 GTO LS swap in progress) got a QT bell and the holes for the dowels were oversized. At least measure those now, so you can address it now.

Andrew

[MMcMasters]

Mike,

I didn't mean to imply that you don't, but Bob (I forget his name here...he has a 67 GTO LS swap in progress) got a QT bell and the holes for the dowels were oversized. At least measure those now, so you can address it now.

Andrew

Andrew,

No problem, I didn't think your were implying anything man and I really appreciate the heads up. I will go out and check the dowel holes right now. I think I know who you are talking about, "OldTiger" I think is his user name. Was he able to send the bell back? How did he address this?

Mike

[MMcMasters]

I just did a quick measurement on the dowel holes in the new bell and got .621 The dowels in the block measured .618.... Everything looks ok as far as this goes but I will definitely need longer dowels since the new bell has a block saver plate.

Mike

[andrewb70]

Andrew,

No problem, I didn't think your were implying anything man and I really appreciate the heads up. I will go out and check the dowel holes right now. I think I know who you are talking about, "OldTiger" I think is his user name. Was he able to send the bell back? How did he address this?

Mike

That's him. QT was very responsive and a resolution is forthcoming. But my take is that if you can spot a potential issue sooner than later, you're better off for it.

Andrew

[andrewb70]

I just did a quick measurement on the dowel holes in the new bell and got .621 The dowels in the block measured .618.... Everything looks ok as far as this goes but I will definitely need longer dowels since the new bell has a block saver plate.

Mike

That's perfect. Bob's bell had dowel pin holes that .630" and he was going nuts with inconsistent alignment measurements.

Andrew

[MMcMasters]

Thanks for the heads up anyway, I appreciate it

[andrewb70]

Thanks for the heads up anyway, I appreciate it

No worries. That's what this place is for: sharing information. Glad the bellhousing checked out! Hopefully Bob can get a new one soon and he can start getting his GTO together.

Andrew

[rixtrix1]

Interesting looking tranny. I went to Legend's website and there isn't much there other than some hype. Not a lot of specifics as to ratios, TQ capacity, dimensions, etc. The pics do show a lot of different case and shifter configurations, though. Is it competitively priced with the TKO tranny's? How about for size; are you going to need to do some tunnel work, or is it supposed fit an A-body tunnel? Sorry for all the questions, but I've never heard of it before. Thanks. ( I think you could adapt a dry sump setup to your block.) Never mind, went to Jody's webpage and it covers most of the questions. I won't bother him until I'm ready to buy.

[MMcMasters]

Ric,

Jody has great customer service if you decide to go that way. I will know more this weekend but by all accounts there are no tunnel mods to use the Legend.

[rixtrix1]

Thanks, Mike. I'll be waiting to see what you find out. I know a TKO500 fits, but I don't know about the durability.

[andrewb70]

Thanks, Mike. I'll be waiting to see what you find out. I know a TKO500 fits, but I don't know about the durability.

The Legend trans fits better and it has better technology than the TKO 500/600. The TKO transmission are based on old truck transmission designs and have a heavy rotating mass, with old style brass synchronizers. This makes for a lazy shifting transmission that doesn't fit very well in GM A-bodies.

Andrew

[rixtrix1]

The Legend trans fits better and it has better technology than the TKO 500/600. The TKO transmission are based on old truck transmission designs and have a heavy rotating mass, with old style brass synchronizers. This makes for a lazy shifting transmission that doesn't fit very well in GM A-bodies.



Andrew

Thanks, Andrew. Do you know about cost? From the pics, it appears to have a standard Chevy bolt pattern. I already have a bellhousing, old school, that I know is parallel and has been dead on with two different engines. Haven't tried it on an LS yet. I had to sell my '10 Camaro motor to cover some hospital expenses before I had a chance to check it. Who makes the best bracket for an F-body clutch master?