1965 Chevelle

[bavtech]

Well I purchased this 1965 Chevelle a few weeks ago and starting to make a dent in it.

A little history, I bought this car from a guy here in Sacramento that had finished the body work and has no engine/trans. My 1972 RS Camaro is stuck in the bodyshop jail so I decided to pickup another project. I pretty just need to do all the mechincal work on this car.



Here is the plans:

350 Chevy Engine with Holley Carb ( Came from my 1972 Camaro) Est. 350HP.
700r4 auto trans
Corvette brakes front and rear with adapters from Kore3 with Power brakes
Tubular Upper and Lowers + Adjuster rear arms
Big Sway Bars
Coil-Overs front and rear
18" Wheels
Interior Redo
Plus more as it comes along

Well on this very rainy day here in Sacramento so I could not get much done. I have spent the last couple weekends putting the suspension and engine/trans together and got around to doing some adjusting on it today.

After playing with it I am not happy with the front setup. The coilover are adjusted all the way. I think I will need to get heavier springs or maybe tall ones. I might also try putting a spacer on the top of the front coils.

When to the back suspension and had similar issues. It is just to rainy to keep messing with it. I like the way it sits but the rear wheel are rubbing. I will probably have to change the wheels and move them in a inch or more. These wheels were originally meant for my Camaro Project but decided to go a different route on wheels for the Camaro. So they were laying around so I decided to try them out. I will probably have to order wheel that have the proper offset.

Still need to readjust that hood after the engine install

Here is a couple of pics i took today in the rain:



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[ProdigyCustoms]

Very cool, I really like the 65s.

[Blitz]

Good lookin 65. I like the wheels on it. Any more pics?

[bavtech]

Here is one with the car sitting next to my other project car.

That car up on the lift is a 1989 BMW E30 M3 that I am putting a Supercharged 6cylinder with 6 speed transmission. Me and one of my guys are working on both of these side by side.

[bavtech]

ohhh....If anyone is wondering what it is with all the car parts everywhere. I manage a large BMW auto recycler here in Sacramento. My guys don't like using the outside lifts during the winter so I use them for my projects.

[Tucks69]

Looks good. The wheels look great on there.

[dropit69]

damn sweet ride ..love the color..

[jhiphopjunky]

Nice ride!
What coil-overs are you running?
What didnt you like about your front coil-over shocks?

[Jon69RagTop]

The 65 Chevelle is my favorite year. I love the wheel choice and hope you get the stance to your liking. Good luck and keep us posted

[Blitz]

What's the issue with the wheels that makes them rub? What specs are they? If you aren't over on Chevelles.com also you should be!!

[bavtech]

Well I had a set of QA1 muscle car coilovers that I was going to use on the camaro but installed them on this car. The coilovers are at full top adjustment. I am thinking they should be somewhere in the middle to give adjustment both ways. Right now with the QA1 there seems to be very little suspension movement. When you push down on the car it goes down but no rebound at all. This rain today just made it hard to work in the open air. One minute it was fine then the next it was coming down like crazy. I will play with it more when the weather gets better.

I am running BOSS 338 wheels in the back in a 18x9.5 size. According to the website the Backspacing on those wheel is 5.031. Unfortunetly with this wheel maker they give you no options when it comes to wheel offset. They due make a 20x8.5 in a 5.79 Backspace but I do not think that 3/4 of a inch will make enough of a difference. The wheel currently hits the rear in fender and the car just lays up on it, even though I must have about 1 3/4" on the inboard side of the wheel. I like the look but I will probably have to bite the bullet and buy the right wheels. I just had these setting around and thought I would give it a shot.

I am on chevelles.com but it is hard finding a lot of info on the 65 Chevelles. Most of the talk over there is on the later model of chevelles.

[bavtech]

By the way....

Thanks Tucker for the Bowler Transmission parts. They will be going on this Chevelle.

[Blitz]

There used to be about 3 big time projects going on over here and I think they all fizzled out. I had been watching them for awhile and by the time I picked my 65 up, it seemed like I was a rare breed. Not a 70 and and not a Camaro. lol Malitude...probably the most recognizable 64/65, was just sold off. I have way more ideas than I have money so my project will creep but I do enjoy watching the other projects and gaining knowledge on what I can (and can't) do for mine.

Keep us informed on what you're doing. It will definitely help us guys with the early models keep interest.

[41565 chevelle]

A fellow 65er', welcome!!!

[L & H Kustoms]

Great Project looks like a nice 65 makes me want to get started on my 65 2dr wagon.got to finish my 67 300 deluxe first. If you end up pulling the plug on new wheels check out rushforth wheels great wheels great prices and only 4 week lead time. If your interested in running tall spindles I manufacture billet tall spindles that will work with your brake setup.

[Tucks69]

By the way....

Thanks Tucker for the Bowler Transmission parts. They will be going on this Chevelle.

I take it they made it there. Keep us updated

[camcojb]

cool 65. I don't know how you get a 9.5" wide wheel in the rear in any offset without a minitub. I had 17X11's on my 64, but that was with a 3" minitub. A 12" wheel would have been close enough to rub. Deducting the 3" minitub it looks like a 9" max with likely some rubbing, or an 8 or 8.5" with perfect offset would work without issues. These 64/5's have very small wheelwells.



Jody

[CruizinKev]

very nice!!! love the rims - I also just bought a set few days ago

[jhiphopjunky]

[QUOTE=bavtech;609833]Well I had a set of QA1 muscle car coilovers that I was going to use on the camaro but installed them on this car. The coilovers are at full top adjustment. I am thinking they should be somewhere in the middle to give adjustment both ways. Right now with the QA1 there seems to be very little suspension movement. When you push down on the car it goes down but no rebound at all. This rain today just made it hard to work in the open air. One minute it was fine then the next it was coming down like crazy. I will play with it more when the weather gets better.

I am also running Qa1 shocks. Single adjustable coil-overs with 22in wheels. although i have plenty of travel (no rubbing) the shocks seem to be really stiff even on the softest setting.

It takes two guys to push on each front fender to get the suspension moving up and down. even then its really stiff.

Do you or anyone know if this is normal. (is this how your coil-overs travel)

Thanks

[bavtech]

I like these Boss 338 wheels just wish they gave you more choices in offset and the price is fair.

I would like more feedback on these QA1's also.

I am going to take some pics tomorrow of the rear wheel tubs and get some opinions on it.

Anyone seen these 65's with 20"s in the back?