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BillM

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
1,838
Location
Southern Ontario
A friend of a friend contacted me a while back, wondering if I'd be interested in what he described as, "just a reassembly". It's an older build and had been stored for 25+ years. Obviously it didn't run, and the new owner gave it to someone else to tear it apart. The motor went to my friend for rebuild, and the shell went to a body shop for new paint. I went and looked at the car, pre-covid, with the understanding that I'd be getting the car sometime in March. That plan didn't work out for him, and I got the car at the end of August. In hindsight, the timing couldn't have worked out better for me, as now I have the whole winter to put it back together....good thing, because "reassembly" was very optimistic. The more I dig into this car, the more I need to fix. The new owner opted to change from a T400 to a 700r4, so I had to install a new crossmember. The car isn't square enough for my liking, so I've been wrestling with that as well. I've decided that I have to skew the rear end in the leaf springs a little better than 1/4" in order to get it to track well. Does anyone have any comment on that? I'll add pictures shortly.
 
This is when the car arrived in Aug.
 

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I did a quick refresh on the front end paint.
 

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Installed a new fuel cell.
 

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Great project Bill! Tell me you're going to fill those tubs with rubber and put a Big Block Chevy in it... please?

I've decided that I have to skew the rear end in the leaf springs a little better than 1/4" in order to get it to track well. Does anyone have any comment on that?

I'll babble some... the easiest "fix" would be to offset one of the lowering blocks, assuming they're drilled on center now, but wait, there's more...

I'm always wary of previous work, so I'd be measuring, measuring, measuring the chassis for square and level, especially to check the clip job. If the clip is crooked, fix it before you do anything else...

.
 
That's gonna be nice! You should be able to get the drive train square enough by triangulation.

Great project Bill! Tell me you're going to fill those tubs with rubber and put a Big Block Chevy in it... please?



I'll babble some... the easiest "fix" would be to offset one of the lowering blocks, assuming they're drilled on center now, but wait, there's more...

I'm always wary of previous work, so I'd be measuring, measuring, measuring the chassis for square and level, especially to check the clip job. If the clip is crooked, fix it before you do anything else...

.

Agree with both of the above statements.
I'd block up the car frame level on the ground and then Measure everything you can think of and then some.:p
You know the drill.
Great platform for a cool build.I know you will do it the right way.:cool: :cool:
I'm in.....
[P [P [P
Torchie
 
Thanks guys, yes, it' will be a nice winter project for me. Luckily, the body and paint took WAY longer than anticipated, so my schedule is nice and relaxed now. I've been able to square it up by cheating a bit on both leaf spring u bolt clamps. I had to put some 6° shims in for pinion angle correction anyway, so as you said Doc, I was able to get it square that way. I'm not about to start cutting this thing up at this point anyway. It has a mid 70's Camaro front clip and leaf spring rear so my preference would be a 4 link as a start but the owner doesn't want me to get too carried away. The colour is 1967 deep sea blue (I think), and it looks great on the car. Yes, it has some serious meats and a big block....how did you guys know???
 

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Here is the trans crossmember being fab'd and installed. Also a couple of shots of how I made sure I could square the car up before welding the crossmember in.
 

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Pinion angle as found, then after shimming. From some of the issues I've found, I cant believe that this thing actually drove at all. Maybe that's why it had been sitting so long.... I've been in contact with a previous owner, but haven't had much luck getting any tangible information from him. Between that and not having taken this thing apart, it's a bit of a challenge to rebuild!
 

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Are those air shocks in the rear?

I can imagine some twist if those tires stick. What's the intended use? Fairground cruiser?

.
 
Yes Doc, those are air shocks! I laughed out loud when I saw them. Like I said, this thing was built a long time ago, so I'm working on trying to upgrade it somewhat - as much as the current owner is willing to fork out! More pictures coming... It's not going to be anything more than a fairground cruiser/ice cream car.
 
The paint/body guy and I have been working on doors and fenders. This brings the thread pretty much up to date as of today. I'm wrestling with window regulators now....
 

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Really nice workmanship as always. Bill.[cl :D :cool: :cool:
How hard is it going to be to get those rear tires off the car with out a hoist??
[P [P [P
Torchie
 

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