'66 PT Chevelle

[srh3trinity]

Those are some impressive mains. What is the displacement going to be?

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Nice Herb! I looked into that Brodix Alum BB. Way to step up ...

[Yelcamino]

Those are some impressive mains. What is the displacement going to be?

Yes they are. It will be a 509.

[Yelcamino]

Nice Herb! I looked into that Brodix Alum BB. Way to step up ...

Thanks.

[Yelcamino]

Machining the block for .904" lifter bores using a BHJ Lifter-Tru fixture on a Bridgeport vertical mill...

[BBC71Nova]

Very nice BBC buildup. Cant Wait to follow along. I've been saving my pennies for that same block

[all4sho]

hey herb,

is your car tubbed or stock rear wells and frame rails

[Yelcamino]

hey herb,

is your car tubbed or stock rear wells and frame rails

Stock rear wells and frame, however, the outer fender lips were trimmed/rolled.

[all4sho]

thanks, BTW wheels look awesome

[Yelcamino]

thanks, BTW wheels look awesome

Thanks!

[55chevyman]

Another nice surprise... when I got home from work today my new Ron Davis radiator was waiting for me. I love these things, the workmanship is so nice, it's like art or jewelry for the car!

I'm looking to purchase the same setup for my 66 chevelle. Cheap champion radiator that is in the car now just isn't cutting it. I've noticed on the ron davis website that they mention you need 7.5 inches of clearance to run this setup. I have a 468 big block with a long water pump and a March Serpentine setup. Just curious how well yours fit and what kind of front accessories you were running on your big block? Thanks in advance for any info that you are willing to pass on!

[Yelcamino]

I'm looking to purchase the same setup for my 66 chevelle. Cheap champion radiator that is in the car now just isn't cutting it. I've noticed on the ron davis website that they mention you need 7.5 inches of clearance to run this setup. I have a 468 big block with a long water pump and a March Serpentine setup. Just curious how well yours fit and what kind of front accessories you were running on your big block? Thanks in advance for any info that you are willing to pass on!

Alex, I'm pretty sure a long water pump setup won't clear. I have a short pump with pulleys and brackets from Jones Racing Products and it's a tight fit.

[Yelcamino]

It's hard to believe the last real update I posted was way back in July 2013!!! Now that the C10 and El Camino are pretty much good to go for now, I've turned my attention back to the Chevelle.

The plan calls for a new chassis (modified stocker), finally getting the aluminum 509 done, updating the exterior, and updating the interior.

This is the donor '66 chassis I started with:



Once I got it home, the first thing I did was disassemble it and get it sandblasted.



Then I sprayed some primer on it because I knew it would be a while before I actually got to it.



The other thing I did a few years ago was to purchase a front C5 based clip from Scott Mock. I've seen all the negative threads going around, but I bought this before any of that stuff happened. Based on my measurements, everything on my clip appears to be pretty square, so I'm good with it.



Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago and I actually started! The first step was to install the SPC and ATS components on the chassis so I could locate the spindle location on the table. I wanted to be sure the front wheels ended up in the same spot once I was done. I made these stands that put the hub and rotor at the same height as if the wheels and tires were in place. Once I was satisfied with that, I stripped it down to the frame.



Then I stripped the clip bare and set it on the frame to get an idea of where and how much to cut off.



Next, I rolled it outside the shop and cut out the front crossmember and frame rails fore and aft of the engine location.



With the stock crossmember gone, I was able to place the new one so I could start getting it squared up and in the proper location.



Once I got the clip where I wanted it, I checked tire clearance and there appears to be enough room for a 315! Also, with the upper control arms bolted to the chassis without any alignment shims, caster came in at 5.5* and camber is -1.5*, which gives me room to dial it in with shims.



So this is where I am now...





I still have to tie in the front frame horns and bend arms for the front anti-roll bar. Once that's done, I can move on to the rear frame section.

[Blacksheep66]

Looks awesome Herb, can't wait to see what you do with the rear section.

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Nice ride !! Glade you you started working on it again .
Look like it going to be a fun build .

[tommycomfort]

Awesome Herb! That is exactly how I have been thinking about doing our DSE front clip onto the Chevelle chassis. Glad you got to it before me so I can pick your brain!

[Yelcamino]

Looks awesome Herb, can't wait to see what you do with the rear section.

Thanks! Hopefully I'll have the front end buttoned up by time the rear section components get here.

Nice ride !! Glade you you started working on it again .
Look like it going to be a fun build .

Thanks! I'm glad I got back to it as well!

Awesome Herb! That is exactly how I have been thinking about doing our DSE front clip onto the Chevelle chassis. Glad you got to it before me so I can pick your brain!

Thanks Tom! Call me when/if you have questions.

[1965_SS]

Wow! Looks great.

[Bowtie racing]

Very intresting project.

[Yelcamino]

Wow! Looks great.

Very intresting project.

Thanks!