Project: LONG HAUL - LONG ROOF

[tommycomfort]

Nice job on the engine set back Tom! Deb's going to be tearing up the autocross come summer!

I actually did a lot of reading about moving the engine back and it's said that moving an inch doesn't do much to help, but in this case it was done more for oil pan clearance than weight distribution. But yes, she will be tearing it up for sure!

[eric1967]

Looking good Tom. Spring is just around the corner.

[Yelcamino]

I actually did a lot of reading about moving the engine back and it's said that moving an inch doesn't do much to help, but in this case it was done more for oil pan clearance than weight distribution. But yes, she will be tearing it up for sure!

True. I think the engine needs to be moved back at least 6" before it starts to make a difference. The cool thing is you can fit the engine in place and have about an extra inch of clearance between the engine and radiator. As all of us early A-body people know too well, the front part of the engine compartment is cramped!

[tommycomfort]

Ok, here's some news that we have been dying to share! Just about a month ago I was looking through our gift certificates from different events and noticed that we had one from ridetech that was going to expire at the end of 2011. As a matter of fact, we had a few gift certificates from ridetech. At some point Bret Voelkel had made the mistake of giving me his cell phone number so Sam and I decided to take a picture of all the gift cert's with this message: "Winter wagon upgrades for Deb. ZZ4, Holley EFI, T56, bucket seats and better restraints! Ridetech coilovers??? What do we need, who do we need to talk to and what kind of cash do we need to save up?" We kind of laughed about it and went back to working on Sam's car. About fifteen minutes later this is the reply we got: "We're in Indy today... If we get done early enough I may drop by if you're working on the car" So, long story short, Bret, Sharon and the kids dropped by that night for pizza at the shop. Bret knows the wagon and the way Deb drives it so it was easy to figure out what she needed. Single adjustable coilovers, lower StongArms and all the bracketing for the rear.

Bottom line, this just is another example of the great vendors that support the hobby we love so much! Deb can't wait to get the season started and report back how the improvements work out.

[wiedemab]

Very Cool! I need to dig out my gift certificates and see if I'm not going to use if someone else can......The Wagon is going to be a force to be reckoned with!

[66larkgs]

Ok, here's some news that we have been dying to share! Just about a month ago I was looking through our gift certificates from different events and noticed that we had one from ridetech that was going to expire at the end of 2011. As a matter of fact, we had a few gift certificates from ridetech. At some point Bret Voelkel had made the mistake of giving me his cell phone number so Sam and I decided to take a picture of all the gift cert's with this message: "Winter wagon upgrades for Deb. ZZ4, Holley EFI, T56, bucket seats and better restraints! Ridetech coilovers??? What do we need, who do we need to talk to and what kind of cash do we need to save up?" We kind of laughed about it and went back to working on Sam's car. About fifteen minutes later this is the reply we got: "We're in Indy today... If we get done early enough I may drop by if you're working on the car" So, long story short, Bret, Sharon and the kids dropped by that night for pizza at the shop. Bret knows the wagon and the way Deb drives it so it was easy to figure out what she needed. Single adjustable coilovers, lower StongArms and all the bracketing for the rear.

Bottom line, this just is another example of the great vendors that support the hobby we love so much! Deb can't wait to get the season started and report back how the improvements work out.

Tom,
What a great gift!! i wish my wife would be happy with a set of coilovers..
Bret seems like a hell of a guy.. they took very good care of me with my ridetech purchase.
I cant wait to get out with the 66 lark one day to your side of the country to watch you guys race and get involved with some autocrossing.. love reading all of your previous post. i love the look of thos l&h spindles one day i would like to switch over but i got to get the car complete first.
Paul
66larkgs
turbo Buick nailhead

[craigs73]

[QUOTE=66larkgs;877860]Tom,
What a great gift!! i wish my wife would be happy with a set of coilovers.. [QUOTE]

ME TO LOL........


tom i hope to meet you deb and sam at columbus goodguys this year......

[tommycomfort]

Tom,
What a great gift!! i wish my wife would be happy with a set of coilovers..
Bret seems like a hell of a guy.. they took very good care of me with my ridetech purchase.
I cant wait to get out with the 66 lark one day to your side of the country to watch you guys race and get involved with some autocrossing.. love reading all of your previous post. i love the look of thos l&h spindles one day i would like to switch over but i got to get the car complete first.
Paul
66larkgs
turbo Buick nailhead

Thanks Paul,
I wouldn't call it a gift to her, I made her write the check!
Bret and all the guys at ridetech are super helpful. I followed your thread and was impressed with the way it was handled. You should consider coming out to the Run To The Shore event April 6-8 at New Jersey Motorsport Park in Millville, NJ. I know it's not super close, but might be the nearest thing to you.
Tom

[tommycomfort]

We'll be there with the wagon and 66 for sure. Just make sure you grab a hold of us so we can finally meet.
Tom

[craigs73]

We'll be there with the wagon and 66 for sure. Just make sure you grab a hold of us so we can finally meet.
Tom

ok cool. i cant wait for this year im gonna meet some people from this site finally...thats if i dont chicken out and not go up to you guys.. lol kinda shy in person not sure why

[66larkgs]

Thanks Paul,
I wouldn't call it a gift to her, I made her write the check!
Bret and all the guys at ridetech are super helpful. I followed your thread and was impressed with the way it was handled. You should consider coming out to the Run To The Shore event April 6-8 at New Jersey Motorsport Park in Millville, NJ. I know it's not super close, but might be the nearest thing to you.
Tom

I think it is great on how hotrodding is a family event. I am getting married in july and she likes the rods and the bikes but neither of us have ever been to a event like run to the hills.i did do some barrel racing @ bike week myrtle beach i think it would be a great exsperiance for both of us. I couldent be more impressed with ridetech's service and i have told every car guy i know how i am a customer for life just because how they handled it. Thier product is great and it is worth the extra money. I have been working daily on the car tring to get the car ready.I ran the car with the old turbo setup but havent ran it yet with the new turbo setup and serpintine belt setup i built.Motor is still arpart waiting for the new Ross pistons to come in. I have three months and i am hoping to have it painted in time and have the bugs worked out of it for New Jersey. if i do go i might trailer it to Nj just because it might be the maiden voyage and i would hate to break 7 hours from home.

[tommycomfort]

Things have been slow going, but we were able to get the trans and driveshaft tunnel cut out. The driveshaft tunnel really doesn't need to be raised for the T-56 swap, but we figured that as low as this thing sits, it will make it easier to set drive line angle.

Cutting (note the eye and ear protection - I'm trainable)


Deb scraping sound deadening (plumber look)


Sam scraping


The dogs don't get to ride in the wagon too often so they are taking advantage of the upgrades..

[Ron S]

Wow, a wagon with a T56 has to be the coolest thing I can think of. I wish you lived closer, I'd have you bring it over and talk you in to making it in to a 2 door wagon. A Chevelle Nomad would be sooo cool, I really shouldn't involve others with my mental irregularities.

[tommycomfort]

Wow, a wagon with a T56 has to be the coolest thing I can think of. I wish you lived closer, I'd have you bring it over and talk you in to making it in to a 2 door wagon. A Chevelle Nomad would be sooo cool, I really shouldn't involve others with my mental irregularities.

We're mentally ill enough Ron, don't try to make it worse!

[Rick D]

Wow, a wagon with a T56 has to be the coolest thing I can think of. I wish you lived closer, I'd have you bring it over and talk you in to making it in to a 2 door wagon. A Chevelle Nomad would be sooo cool, I really shouldn't involve others with my mental irregularities.

Wouldn't it just be easyer to go buy a 2 door wagon?? They did make them. This is coming along nice Tom, I really love wagons. My wife wants me to build one for her and the kids. Once I finish up more on the Camaro I will look at picking one up. Really want a 66 Chevelle wagon?? Or a Nova wagon. keep the updates coming!

[Debington]

To say I am excited about the upgrades to the wagon is an understatement. I have had so much fun driving the wheels off my wagon, that changing components had not really been something that I thought much about until, we changed the power steering pump last year at Run Through the Hills. I felt the difference immediately. I know about running quality parts from our 66. But, like I said I just never really gave it much consideration on the wagon, it was always something that would happen in the future. Winning the Holley EFI system at the Pro-Touring dinner started the upgrade ball rolling to that "future". After basically sitting out of the garage for the last year it has felt good to get back there and begin work on anything but, working on the wagon gives me a different purpose. I can't wait to get it finished and out on the road again. Granted, I will have to relearn how to drive it but, I think I am up for that challenge.

[Yelcamino]

To say I am excited about the upgrades to the wagon is an understatement. I have had so much fun driving the wheels off my wagon, that changing components had not really been something that I thought much about until, we changed the power steering pump last year at Run Through the Hills. I felt the difference immediately. I know about running quality parts from our 66. But, like I said I just never really gave it much consideration on the wagon, it was always something that would happen in the future. Winning the Holley EFI system at the Pro-Touring dinner started the upgrade ball rolling to that "future". After basically sitting out of the garage for the last year it has felt good to get back there and begin work on anything but, working on the wagon gives me a different purpose. I can't wait to get it finished and out on the road again. Granted, I will have to relearn how to drive it but, I think I am up for that challenge.

You're going to love your "new" wagon once it's back on the road! Do you think it will be ready in time for RTTS?

[Bad94]

I can't wait to get it finished and out on the road again. Granted, I will have to relearn how to drive it but, I think I am up for that challenge.

Deb i love the changes you are making.

Your not the only one that will have to relearn the car. Sam wont know what to do with the new power.

[Zanie]

Very Cool!!!

[Glenn]

You have a Killer Ride going on, please keep the pictures and updates coming.