My 1966 Chevelle project

Daleo8803

Daleo8803

Move along, move along
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Rock Hill SC
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I got this old rusted 66 from my uncle several years ago for $250. He owned it for about 25 years. A base model Malibu 283/PG car. Rust in all the normal places, fenders, doors, quarters, trunk floor, and a small place on the passenger side floor. The goal of this is to have a fun car to drive. Not going to be doing a frame off resto. More along the lines of a rat rod / mad Max theme :)

So far I have rebuilt the entire front and rear suspension, all new bushings, shocks, springs etc with standard stuff.

Got the old 283 running. Added a HEI distributor. Has a set of long tube headers and a true duel exhaust with cherry bombs :)

Upgrading the front to disc brakes with factory stuff off a 69 Chevelle.

I just got a new gas tank and fuel lines installed. Also upgraded to power steering for $80 total. Got a almost new pump and gear box from a friend for $50. All I had to buy was a new pulley.

I primed the car in Rust-Oleum. Very good for the time being. Had a dang tree fall in her about a month ago when a big store hit. Going to replace fenders any way. The bumpers were rusted pretty good so they got bedlined. Added led lights to make backing up easier at night.

I have a set of leather seats out of a 97 Tahoe that I have modified the brackets to fit. Made a simple center console from plywood that will hold a radio, speakers, 2 cup holders, and 3 Auto meter gauges. I will update this thread as I go.














 
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You could make your own ZZ Top videos with it.

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You are indeed a motivated and brave man-child.
It's kin to what I tell the young guys when we work in an old ass house: Don't touch nothin'. As soon as you do, something else will happen.

You need to take the 283 and do something practical with it like putting it in an atv or golf cart.
 
Friday said:
You need to take the 283 and do something practical with it like putting it in an atv or golf cart.
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Lol the little mouse runs good. Has 170 to 175 pressure across all cylinders.

A good friend that has been helping me ( a Chevy Guru that knows all) has been trying to get me to put a 454 in it. I told him as soon as he gives me one ( he has 8 that I know of that are in need of a shell).
 
6-Pack is way cool. When they're working good.
Syncing those things is a science.
 
"It will be a slow project as I'm poor and I don't have a garage...."

I think the fact that you don't have a garage is just going to add a little more character to the type of build you have going on. You have truly earned the title "shade tree mechanic", be proud of it.

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She got a new tarp today! Lol



And the stuff I need to wire the seats. The factory uses a 25amp breaker but I think a 20 amp will just fine as they will be adjusted once and probably never touched again.

 
@gunbelt I will be replacing all the brake lines. I got what I need to replace the fronts, will be ordering a new power brake booster and lines for the rear next payday.

After work I got the driver seat mounted. Still has to be wired but it's in. Feels good too! Dang it's hot!!! At 11:30 pm it's 85° at the house!!

 
The reason I mentioned the brake lines is I failed to do that on a bb Impala once & the 1st time I got on it one of the front flex lines ruptured. It's a bitch stopping a heavy car with no brakes.
 
I got her fired up today. First time sense replacing the rusted out mufflers with the glass packs. Have to say I thought she would be louder! Lol

I couldn't get her to start for a few minutes. Wouldn't even turn over. Thought it was the battery but it checked out. Then I realized I had taken off the neutral safety switch because it was bad. Forgot to install the new one..... :)
After I put on the new one she fired right up. I still need to tune the carb tho
 
Daleo8803 said:
The goal of this is to have a fun car to drive. Not going to be doing a frame off resto. More along the lines of a rat rod / mad Max theme :)
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I like this. Much less expensive, less time consuming, less frustrating, more fun, and more practical.

And if you ever get the urge to check out a very labor- and money-intensive restoration, you can hop in your rat rod and head over to a coffee and cars meetup.
 
Got some more done today. Finished up the disc conversion on the passenger side. Now all that's left is to get new hard lines bent and installed and install the master cylinder. Had to modify the factory brake line mount as the 69 lines are different. Nothing a file couldn't fix. Did run into a problem on the driver's side. The new caliber was not finished taped from the factory so I'm off to buy a tap set. Fun!! :)









 
Thanks guys!

I got the driver side caliber fixed and installed.

Then I tried to run the new brake line to the passenger side. Worked great! Then I stripped the threads on the flex brake line on that side.... Messed up the threads on the nut too. So now I have to buy a new flex line and redo the flare on the hard line.... Yay!!!! Lol always something!!
 
I got the new flex line on. Now to wait till next payday so I can buy the new master cylinder.

Also I'm taking a Edelbrock preformer intake manifold and a Holley four barrel carb to get checked out by a friend ( they are used). He's going to remove the paint from the intake and see what if anything the Holley is missing. :) Got to replace the worn out carb anyway might as well upgrade ;)
 
Got the Edelbrock Preformer intake cleaned up. Here the Holley 4010 sitting on top :)

I'm thinking of painting the intake something funky. Many gold... I don't want to leave it sliver as this is a rat rod. Any suggestions?

 
Daleo8803 said:
Got the Edelbrock Preformer intake cleaned up. Here the Holley 4010 sitting on top :)

I'm thinking of painting the intake something funky. Many gold... I don't want to leave it sliver as this is a rat rod. Any suggestions?

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Is "rust" a color? I mean, it is a rat rod. :D
 
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All the rain has kept me from working on her but I did find this today for $10. Need the go fast parts! Lol

 
Daleo8803 said:
Got the Edelbrock Preformer intake cleaned up. Here the Holley 4010 sitting on top :)

I'm thinking of painting the intake something funky. Many gold... I don't want to leave it sliver as this is a rat rod. Any suggestions?

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Good to see the progress, man. I'm running a performer as well on my C10. I picked it up at the Auto Fair for 90 bucks, not a smokin deal but better than full retail. As far a color for yours I like the natural look, but then again I painted my stock valve covers Chevy bright a$$
orange, so there is that option...
Good find on the tach!
 
Envious....Please, I'm beggin like a dog, Please, Do Not paint that car. Several of the nicest cars I've ever seen had no paint. Perfect mechanicals...no paint.
 
Gator said:
Got an update?

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Very slowly. Started a new job on day shift. Still have to install the new intake manifold, 4 barrel carb, and mount the passenger seat. I haven't had time in a while to mess with her... I did get the last parts I needed to complete the power disc brake conversion.
 
The performer doesn't have the hole for the fill/breather tube. If you want to use it you'll have to add a breather/fill to one of the valve covers, or use different vc's with those built in place.
 
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