Hello all,
I have been visiting this site almost daily for the past several months and finally coughed up in June. You guys are a wealth of information/advice and are doing a great service to all us Chevelle owners.

My story is weird. I purchased a 66 SuperSport basket case in the summer of 1991 (not a misprint). For $3500 it came with a rebuilt 396/325, M21, 12 bolt and boxes of parts. Started a frame off, got it 60% complete by the end of 1993. In the spring of 1994, I met the love of my life (blind date), then married her a year later, got her kid through college, have an 11 year old daughter of our own, and had not touched the 66. I dragged it from CA to TX in 1995 and across town twice since. As of June 2007, you guessed it, it is 60% complete.

I am happy to report that my wife and I sold our business recently and I am back working on the Chevelle, FULL TIME. I have a sh** eatin’ grin on my face all day.

The restoration hobby has changed a great deal in the 14 years since I was involved in a big way. The biggest changes I have seen are the availability of used parts on Ebay and this site. Both are tremendous pluses compared to the early 90’s.

Anyway, I am located in Plano, TX, the fridge always has cold beer, anyone nearby stop in, and I will have a ton of questions for the forum as I am nearing initial fire up of the 396. The time you folks spend helping us out is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance, Wayne

PS Here’s the beast, along with my parts hauler.

Welcome Wayne, glad too see your back in the game. That is going to be one sweet ride!!!!!

Wayne I live due east of you in Naples. As you can see I have 69 and 67. My best friend just finished a 66. If we can be of any help do not hesitate to call.

Hello and welcome Wayne. Glad to see you joined up. Good luck with finishing your project.

Hey Wayne. Great to have you on board! Let us know if we can help.

Chuck

Whatz Up? :D

Welcome to the forum. :cool:

Welcome to the forum, Wayne. I'm in Dallas and there's members of the North Texas Chevelle Club and Team Chevelle living all around you in the Plano area.

If you'd like, come on out and hang with us at RPM Motorsports in Lewisville this Saturday. The NTCC is having a dyno day there, and you're welcome to come out, with or without a car.

It'd give you an opportunity to meet and hang out with some other Team Chevelle members and fellow Chevelle enthusiasts. Check out the cars, etc. We'll have about 25-30 cars, food, refreshments, etc.

For times and location, check out the North Texas Chevelle Club's thread in the Team Chevelle Cruiz-Ins section of this board.:)

Randy

Welcome. Great story.

Thanks for the replies. I will attend the dyno day in Lewisville on Saturday and plan to join NTCC then.

I have two major items left, rear end rebuild (I will farm this out), and wheels/tires. I favor Cragar SS. I plan for the Chevelle to be a cruiser with an occasional punch although I might visit the strip a time or two just for fun. I would like to get your opinion on rear end gear ratios. I see two of you have 3.31s. Would you recommend them?

Thanks, Wayne

I like the 3.31 gear for a fun street car.

One of the most fun combos I've has was a '70 SS396/350 Chevelle with a GM 375 horse solid lifter cam, good valve springs, a 780 Vac Sec on an Edelbrock C396 dual plane, and a set of 1 3/4" headers.

It had an M-21 and 3.31 gears. In 1977-78 it was my daily beater and only car. It ran 13.30's capped up on L60-15 Mickey T street tires, and would rev till parts flew out if you wanted it.

Many, many, MANY 6500rpm powershifts.:D


Randy

My friend just swapped out a 3:73 for a 3:31 in his 66 and like me thinks it is a perfect cruising ratio. If I had intentions of the strip I would at least try to ride around with someone who had 3:55.