1969 Chevelle "Cone Smasher"

[pist0lpete]

You guys didn't waste any time looking good! Really like the color you picked for the cage/interior as well. Looks like you came up with a shifter handle to use as well.

[andrewb70]

Did you guys check the bellhousing alignment? Those Lakewoods aren't always perfect.

Andrew

[WallaceMFG]

You guys didn't waste any time looking good! Really like the color you picked for the cage/interior as well. Looks like you came up with a shifter handle to use as well.

Thanks! we're trying to get the car done in time for the Goodguys Spring Nationals in March since we have no chance of making the Fall Nationals. I forgot, the trans came with a Long shifter, but the lever the guy gave us was bent in 3 directions, I think the trans was in a 280Z or something. Luckily we had a spare lever from the Richmond we put in our Torino! haha

[WallaceMFG]

Did you guys check the bellhousing alignment? Those Lakewoods aren't always perfect.

Andrew

There was a corner that was bent from shipping, but I fixed that. I did a lot of measuring when I was setting up the hydraulic throw out bearing, and everything was perfectly straight. That was the easiest time I've ever had getting the clutch disc to line up with the input shaft haha.

[pist0lpete]

Nelson

I went ahead and threw in the shifter handle even tho I figured you wouldn't use it. You are right the trans was in a Z with a 383 and a roadrace suspension setup. Going to a SBF and a T56 now. Sorry to hear there was damage in shipping hope that the only issue was a slight bend in the bellhousing. Goodguys spring nationals sounds like a great goal, you guys will have a busy summer and winter. I am sure you guys already took care of it but I believe this is what Andrew is referring to as far as bellhousing alignment: http://www.hurst-drivelines.com/file...206-15-09A.pdf

Neal

[WallaceMFG]

Nelson

I went ahead and threw in the shifter handle even tho I figured you wouldn't use it. You are right the trans was in a Z with a 383 and a roadrace suspension setup. Going to a SBF and a T56 now. Sorry to hear there was damage in shipping hope that the only issue was a slight bend in the bellhousing. Goodguys spring nationals sounds like a great goal, you guys will have a busy summer and winter. I am sure you guys already took care of it but I believe this is what Andrew is referring to as far as bellhousing alignment: http://www.hurst-drivelines.com/file...206-15-09A.pdf

Neal

Hey Neal,

yeah that's what I thought my dad said when he told me we were gonna buy it. And the shipping was no big deal, it was hardly bent in a part that doesnt touch the block, nothing a hammer couldn't fix lol. And yes we made sure everything was lined up good before they were bolted together. Now it just needs to start!

[WallaceMFG]

Since I got the ROD, I needed a new cross member because the stock one wouldn't line up correctly. I also wanted a way to get more ground clearance for the exhaust. This was the result:




Now I can run the exhaust through it so I'll have plenty of ground clearance. Got the drive shaft shortened, balanced, and new U-joints installed.





The body is on the frame for the last time! Woo!





The shifter for the ROD comes through the floor in almost the perfect spot, need to put the driver seat in to see for sure. And I need to work on the left side of the trans tunnel, the shift rod for 3-4 is rubbing.

[WallaceMFG]

Thermodynamics has been taking up all of my time, so progress has been slow lately. I ordered a hydroboost unit from Hydratech a few weeks ago, I'm still waiting for it to show up so I can work on the brake system and mount the clutch M/C. I also got a Hurst line lock and a Wilwood proportioning valve to get installed when it shows up. Hopefully the hydroboost will work well with the C6 Vette brakes I have for the front.


We took the fuel tank away and had it cleaned out and checked. Everything looked great so it was painted and was installed with a new fuel sender.

Dad built a box for the shifter boot. He made it removable so we can get to the shift linkage if we ever need to.




We got the dash final painted in flat black.




We took the steering box up to a shop in Scottsdale to be rebuilt and re-geared. It now has a quick ratio, it's about 2 1/4 turns lock to lock. Also got the steering shaft finished and installed with Borgeson joints.




Just for fun I put the front fender on, it looks like a car again!

[splatt]

Where did you take your steering gear box? How much did they charge you?

[WallaceMFG]

Where did you take your steering gear box? How much did they charge you?

It's called Benchworks Steering: http://www.benchworksteering.com/

It was $300 to get it rebuilt and re-geared. The told me that if we didn't like the way it felt when the car drove we could take it back and they'd change it for free.

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

Looking good! Glad to know about Benchworks, sounds like a good deal. I've lived here my entire life and never knew of them, amazingly enough.

[WallaceMFG]

Looking good! Glad to know about Benchworks, sounds like a good deal. I've lived here my entire life and never knew of them, amazingly enough.

Thanks!

Yeah I didn't know about it either, a shop over in Phoenix that we got the slip yoke for our Richmond from recommended them. My dad dropped it off on a Tuesday, it was done Friday haha

[highspeed68]

you guys are doing great! keep up the good work!

[driveit]

Looking good, keep it up. Got me wanting a 5 speed again...

[pist0lpete]

Nice progress. Did you end up having to massage the trans tunnel at all or did all the shift rods clear?

[WallaceMFG]

Nice progress. Did you end up having to massage the trans tunnel at all or did all the shift rods clear?

All of them cleared except for the 3-4 rod. We ended up cutting it out and using a spare floor pan section we bought to rebuild that side of the tunnel. Other than that it fit perfect!

[Barrrf]

So about that flush glass.........is the glass really going to be flush or are you just replacing the stainless trim with rubber trim. I ask because Im painting my car in the spring and would like to know how much work I would be up against.

[WallaceMFG]

So about that flush glass.........is the glass really going to be flush or are you just replacing the stainless trim with rubber trim. I ask because Im painting my car in the spring and would like to know how much work I would be up against.

I'm trying to find time to go talk to the guy again, my car is getting close to paint as well. Unfortunately, he's not open on the weekends and I have school and work every day of the week, so it's proving to be harder than it sounds haha. I'll let you know when I get to talk to him again.

[WallaceMFG]

It's been a while since I've made a post, Thermodynamics completely consumed my life for the past couple of months. But I'm happy to announce that my hard work paid off and I passed on my first try! So now work can continue on the Chevelle!

I don't have pictures with me at work, but I'll get some uploaded later when I'm home.


Here's a quick rundown of what we've done lately:


We ordered a Hydroboost unit from Hydratech for the car. We ordered it with a matching Corvette M/C, and they look good on the firewall.

To go with the brakes we got a Wilwood adjustable prop valve and have it mounted to the master cylinder. Lines from the M/C to the prop valve are finished.

Brake lines for the rear of the car are finished, including the hydraulic parking brake.

Clutch M/C has been mounted below the Hydroboost unit. It's a tight fit but looks good. We had to make a fitting for our M/C so we can run a stainless line from the cylinder to the billet Wilwood reservoir we bought.

At the November Good Guys we ordered a serpentine kit from RAB Performance. My dad saw them at SEMA and liked their stuff, and Billet Specialties lost a sale by not showing up to the Good Guys show haha. We ordered a chrome kit that came with the water pump, 140 amp alternator, type II p/s pump with remote reservoir, tensioner, belt, brackets, and all the hardware. It showed up last week and will be bolted on the car in a few days.

Now that school is over I plan to work on the car as much as I can!

[pist0lpete]

That RAB Performance stuff is top notch. I bet you were up half the night getting it installed haha.