73 Chevelle, getting close

Hey folks,

I feel guilty for not posting and just getting on here when I need parts. So I thought I'd post an update on Goldie. There was rust in the package tray, to the point some fabrication was required. The floor pans have been replaced also. I probably should have done a frame off but didn't have a shop when I started this project.. Sometimes I remember Will Darnell in Christine as he's looking at the car he says "look how cockeyed he works, got brand new windshield wipers for a busted windshield.
A few items repaired or replaced - New headliner, reupholstered back seat, new carpet, many plastic parts replaced, all redyed.. Entire underside wire wheeled and painted with POR 15 as well as the front frame which I spray bombed with satin black. new sending unit in the tank, tank painted.. New trunk seal. New shocks and springs all the way around, rebushed A-arms, new balls joints, drag link, tie rods and idle arm. New rotors, pads, and rebuilt the calipers. New drums, wheel cylinders, hardware, shoes and rubber hoses. New master cylinder.. If I took a part off and put it back on it got cleaned and painted, like the sway bar for example with new links and bushings. New bulbs in the cluster, went with blue LED, even repainted the hands on the gauges as the paint was flaking. I just bolted in a freshened up long block with flat tops and 041 heads, stainless valves and roller rockers etc.. Got the torque converter and shift kit in the mail today, waiting on the rebuild kit to go through the trans (th-350). I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things here.. oh yeah, took the wiring harnesses apart and fixed a few issues, replaced the looms..New Evap core in the AC box, got a Sanden compressor for it and I'll install a parallel flow condenser. New core support bushings, the other body bushings appear to be in good shape. New U joints and painted the driveshaft white because that's how we do it for a stock car.. Anyway, done a lot of work and I think the old car will drive pretty good. I like to think without doing a frame off I have preserved the soul, at least that's what I tell myself. All the glass has been out and resealed including a new windshield. I mention these things about as "cockeyed" as I work.

I see a lot of guys on here doing some really professional restorations, but I know there's others like me here piecing cars together or just trying to get the cars in working order. I can appreciate all of it. So here's a couple of photos I have taken a long the way.

Dont know if you have them or Not BUT local Marketplace has the Centercaps for them wheels for $175 if Interested I can get the Link for you ....



Good to see ya posting about car .

No shame in garage builds. All of my cars have been pieced together projects over time. My race car was a 25 year work in progress. Got to the point that I could never replace it based on how much I spent over the years. My 70 SS right now is in pieces for body work and then will be rolling and worked on a little at a time.

Thanks Limey. I have a set of Corvette slots I got a good deal on.
Bracket, I know what you mean.. Its not been years but I could have bought a nice car for what I've spent.. I enjoy the work though, most of it anyway.

This Color Will look great with them Corvette Wheels esp when Shined to a mirror Finish

I love those wheels, always have. They come off of a show car and have been polished. New lug nuts and centers. When I was a kid every car I drew had slotted mags.

Them are great shape and will look great against your Car

Here's photos of the package shelf. Shame I didnt have a donor car.

Wow, your package shelf almost looks like it was burned. You did a great job on the repair. Everyone of the g3's I've owned leaks around the back window. One of the windows I removed by simply pushing on it from the inside of the vehicle. I think if it wasn't for the window trim it would have blown off the car going down the road. Anyways, your SS looks great! Keep posting pics to motivate the rest of us!

Thanks. When the hacks that painted the car repaired it with tape and kitty hair, they finished it off with black spray paint, I think thats why it looked burned in the photo. When I pulled the carpet out there was window screen, roofing tar, tape, and sheet metal from home depot.. Under that was floor pans that looked like swiss cheese. They also duct taped and spray painted from underneath. The drivers seat was just sitting in the car propped up with milk crates. Passenger seat had one bolt. I got burned a little on the initial purchase of the car. I knew it would need 1 pan, didnt expect to have to do 4 patch panels. Live and learn.

Well if its any consolation, your car looks great. Always loved the tail lights on the 73's.

Agreed, your hard work has paid off handsomely, and now you know what shape it's really in. Looks great!

How about some shots of the instruments? I'm curious how it looks with blue LEDs!

Probably not for everyine but I like it! Not sure why the pic makes it look hazy, they are crystal clear.

I don't know why, but I'm getting a submarine vibe.

Hahaha thats the great thing about putting a car together, youre the only one who has to like it. I think I have a few left and will use them in the trio guages if I can rig it up.

Trans build in progress

Trans back together. (less govenor, accumulator and tail shaft housing) I think I got all the gizmos and widgets back in. My back is destroyed. Hopefully I can stab it tomorrow and get the headers on, but it aint looking good.

thatfnthing, the blue LEDs look ridiculous in the photo, I posted that on my phone and am just now seeing it on the PC. they're not so neon and bright. much more subtle in person.

Nice work !! I've always wanted to rebuild an automatic. That and a power steering pump are the only things I've never rebuilt myself. Looks great.

Thanks Joe, there's a lot of mistakes that can be made on these, it's tricky. If I have to tear it back down so be it. Trying to hone my skills.. My ASE cert says I'm an expert but it sure didn't feel that way.
Power steering pumps are a breeze if you got the tool kit. I need to get a new can for mine, it has unsightly pry bar marks on it.

Cool. I have factory manual steering in my chevelle. I sent the box to power steering service out west for the rebuild. The guy called me when he got it to verify what it came out of. He said the box was heavy duty and never saw a pitman arm like mine. He rebuilt it and called me saying he replaced the mainshaft with his last NOS piece. I paid him the extra $10 to detail to factory colors. He said he had lots of info as to what bolts, paints and colors were used from the factories so he could bring it back to original. It was worth the $10 .

Nice work!!!!

I rebuilt a automatic once and it worked great........................For about a week.

I installed one of the beveled case rings upside down. It wore away at the case and everything loosened up until it quit working. It ruined the case. Live & learn.

Thanks 73SS. I'll be surprised if I didnt screw someting up... Lol. Trans and headers installed. Now its lookin really cool. As I'm fiddling with the detent cable I notice that now my throttle cable is stuck..the stock detent is not adjustable so I may just go ahead and replace both of them.. I went with a 2000-2300 stall converter, I'm hoping that was a good choice.

Flywheel wrote:thatfnthing, the blue LEDs look ridiculous in the photo, I posted that on my phone and am just now seeing it on the PC. they're not so neon and bright. much more subtle in person.

If they make you happy, that's all that counts!

thatfnthing wrote:

Flywheel wrote:thatfnthing, the blue LEDs look ridiculous in the photo, I posted that on my phone and am just now seeing it on the PC. they're not so neon and bright. much more subtle in person.

If they make you happy, that's all that counts!

I agree do what makes ya Happy BUT I like them alot better than the dull Factory Bulbs and White LED ones I have seen are SUPER bright