A little history on the car. I got this car as a wedding present from my dad about 5 years ago. I saw the car in a dirt lot with the words for sale written on the windows in soap. I immediately called my dad to come and take a look at the car and withing 20 minutes we pulled in the lot only to see a man scrubbing the soap off the windows. We both thought we were to late as we approached the man. As we got to talking the the man he said the reason why he was scrubbing the soap off was because he was tired of getting all the phone calls about the car. He then said he was asking 2k for it but he would would let it go for $1500. My dad and I looked at each other and said SOLD!

Over the past 3.5 years I drove the car as is just to get around on cold/rainy days, living in San Diego those days are few and far apart. I then decided it was time to fork out the time/money and get this project going. It came with a 307 2 bbl with a power glide, manuel brakes and no power steering. This car was named the "Hammer" for its plain jane features.

Now my dad and I have made this a father/son project and I have to say it probably has been the best time I've spent with my dad. Long weekends and alot of grunt work and this is what we got.

Small block 400 bored 30 over. Now a 406 with Edelbrock aluminum heads, intake, and 600 cf carb. 1.6 Roller rockers, Melling cam and lifters, Pypes full exhaust with X-pipe and Violater mufflers. Thorley ceramic coated full length headers. All new bushing and control arms. Slotted rotors. TA sway bar, and Turbo 350 Tranny and a posi 331 gear ration rear end. This thing is a dream come true, well for me it is.

With my dad's killer set up/garage/shop, we built this drive train in about 6 months.

Future plans: Paint and Body. Paint is gonna be all black, with no emblems or trim other then the windows. Looking into getting some rushforth wheels, the super spokes in a 20inch rear and 19 in front. Full interior kit and so forth.

Let me know what you guys think.

The day I brought her home:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/100_0185_0001.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/100_0187_0001.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/100_0188_0001.jpg

On The Test Stand:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/IMG_0302.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/IMG_0299.jpg

In the Car:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/IMG_0038.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/IMG_0037.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/IMG_0042.jpg

well first off vince...welcome to the forum...congrats onthe car look like a great project....i hope to see more pictures and updates posted along the process...this is a great website not for just chevelles and cars in general but for lifetime friendships you will make here. again Welcom and Good Luck!!!!

I just about choked when I saw the pictures of how it looked when you brought it home. Holy cow! I'm busting my you-know-whats just to get the body on mine to be as straight as yours!
That's a great find and an awesome job you're doing...keep us posted! We love pix!

Welcome and you are off to a nice start.:thumbsup:

Here are some more pics of the out with the old and in with the new!

We have actually got the car running and driving but not yet put the power steering in. There is a problem with the pully's to where the Alt. belt touches the PS belt when it is tightened into place. Not sure if the pully's are wrong or if the water pump is wrong. I haven't got around to snapping some current photos but I will this weekend as we tackle this minor set back. Until then here are some more photos.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/IMG_0317.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevelle406007.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevelle406010.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevelle406009.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevelle406042.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevelle406005.jpg

Here are some shots while it was on the lift.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevelle406053.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevelle406054.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevelle406055.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevelle406056.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevellewithPypesXexhaust003.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevellewithPypesXexhaust004.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevellewithPypesXexhaust005.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevellewithPypesXexhaust006.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevellewithPypesXexhaust007.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/chevellewithPypesXexhaust009-1.jpg


Thanks for the comments guys. I plan on posting more pics this weekend!

Excellent start Vince. Nothing but fun to come. 20's in rear and 19's front, they'll love you in the www.pro-touring.com site. Good luck. I like your Dads work site.......

what brand headers are thoes???? sweet:thumbsup:

Clip: Here we are breaking in the cam on the test stand.

YouTube - 406

what brand headers are thoes???? sweet:thumbsup:


The headers are Doug Thorley Full Length Tri-Y's Ceramic coated, part # 375Y-C These are best fitting and as far as clearance goes, nothing comes close. I had no clearance issues and they just slid right on in.

Wow! very nice project good times with Dad ,you will always remember,the cars name is perfect,,great job ...and nice starting price:yes:congrats

The headers are Doug Thorley Full Length Tri-Y's Ceramic coated, part # 375Y-C These are best fitting and as far as clearance goes, nothing comes close. I had no clearance issues and they just slid right on in.

I've been waiting awhile to hear about these headers.
See my thread: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245558

Tell me about:

1.) Install method for each side.

2.) Build & coating quality of the headers. Coated inside?

3.) Plug access (!!)

4.) Tuck-up to floorboards clearance and crossmember clearance (I saw the great photos)

5.) Pypes system install tricks and what you needed to connect from the reducers to the Pypes system. I see Pypes offers extended length reducers and wondered if it all bolts up.

6.) Is your fuel pump the special tall 350 w/ A/C pump or an aftermarket unit?
BTW: Thanks SOOOOOOOO much for posting those pics :thumbsup: :beers:

I've been waiting awhile to hear about these headers.
See my thread: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245558

Tell me about:

1.) Install method for each side.

2.) Build & coating quality of the headers. Coated inside?

3.) Plug access (!!)

4.) Tuck-up to floorboards clearance and crossmember clearance (I saw the great photos)

5.) Pypes system install tricks and what you needed to connect from the reducers to the Pypes system. I see Pypes offers extended length reducers and wondered if it all bolts up.

6.) Is your fuel pump the special tall 350 w/ A/C pump or an aftermarket unit?
BTW: Thanks SOOOOOOOO much for posting those pics :thumbsup: :beers:

I installed the passenger side first and it was installed in about 5 minutes. The driver side was done in about 30 minutes. Trying to install them without getting a scratch on these puppies is like open heart surgery.
The headers are by far the best in quality, workmanship and overall fit. I had no clearance issues what so ever. The only tricky part was getting the driver side header to clear over the dip stick on the install.

I purchased them from Summit which is the cheapest I have seen anywhere, especially to have them ceramic coated. I think they even send there headers out to jet hot to have them coated. When I ordered them it took awhile. I guess you can say they are like Jack In The Box, "They don't make em til you order them". They even put a date code on the header flange which was 2 days after I originally placed the order.

I am also using Eibach lowering springs, which is a 1.3 inch drop, and until I get my wheels I have been just driving around with some chevy rally wheels with tires size 245/60/15 and I have not scraped once. (**knock on wood**) The headers actually tuck pretty close to the body and I have no sagging issues.

As far as the pypes X-system, it just bolted right up with a little bit of welding. The headers come with 2.5 inch collectors in which the pypes slid right over the collector. When I installed it, I did it from the rear to the front and I couldn't believe how much extra pipe was unused.

Plug acces was no issue at all. I have 90 degree plugs because I am using aluminum heads which happen to use a different spark plug. The fuel pump is nothing speacial I just painted the top black. It is a regular fuel pump from Autozone.

Hope this helps. The price is a bit high but you wont be dissapointed.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/IMG_0062.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/IMG_0063.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/IMG_0066.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/IMG_0068.jpg

Vince

So the Thorley reducers just slip-fit into the Pypes system? That's great. Interesting that they build them on an as-needed basis. Here's a Thorley article: http://www.truckinweb.com/tech/engine/0808tr_ls1_header_install/index.html

Do these headers have exterior welds on the tubes and flange? Does Summit Racing own DTH? See this link: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233466 I'm trying to understand if there are any technical differences between "Doug's Headers" and "Doug Thorley Headers" http://blogs.hotrod.com/6242263/editorials/hot-rod-exhaust-systems/index.html

BTW: Keep those Cali Blue Plates...

So the Thorley reducers just slip-fit into the Pypes system? That's great. Interesting that they build them on an as-needed basis. Here's a Thorley article: http://www.truckinweb.com/tech/engine/0808tr_ls1_header_install/index.html

Do these headers have exterior welds on the tubes and flange? Does Summit Racing own DTH? See this link: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233466 I'm trying to understand if there are any technical differences between "Doug's Headers" and "Doug Thorley Headers" http://blogs.hotrod.com/6242263/editorials/hot-rod-exhaust-systems/index.html

BTW: Keep those Cali Blue Plates...


The way it was explained to me was from a pretty popular guy in the exhaust field, named Ed Hansen. He owns a shop here in San Diego (Spring Valley actually). I was told it was one company called "Doug Thorley Headers" this was until he got a divorce and the wife took the business. He then opened his own shop doing the exact same thing but had to rename the company "Doug's Headers". From there I believe his wife renamed the original company "Thorley Headers". Or at least thats what I was told. I am not sure where Summit Racing and DTH come into place but I do recommend to purchase your headers from the wife's business. It turns out to be just a bit cheaper. As far as the welds yes they do have exterior welds, but the polishing is done so well you can barely tell. On another note, the ceramic coating is done on the inside as well.

Blue plates are a must. They are just going to get re-painted.

Vince

Picked up some wheels and tires today off of craigslist.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/DSCF3076.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/DSCF3077.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/DSCF3080.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/DSCF3087.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/DSCF3088.jpg

Nice car! ;)

Hi! I'm Vince's Dad Steve. This car just seemed destined to go together! When I had my 70 Chevelle I pulled the TH350 trans to replace it with a 200R4 and put it under the bench 6 years ago. Since this car came with a PG, getting it replaced was part of the plan. We reused the PG drive shaft after replacing the U-joints. The differential in the car was shot and we wanted to put a 12 bolt POSI in it anyway. A couple of months ago I asked a couple of friends of mine who play with cars to keep an eye out for a 12 bolt. A friend of mine up the block bought a very rusty, no title 70 Chevelle wagon and lo and behold it had a 12 bolt POSI with 3.31 gears! The best part was it only had 41,000 miles on it and he wanted $650.00 for it with the condition that we pull it and provide a replacement to keep the car a roller. Not a problem! We spent hours cleaning and sanding it to make it look good after I steam cleaned it. The last car show we attended we scored a complete set of control arms, front and rear with new poly bushings/ball joints for $50.00. That sway bar in the front is off a second generation Pontiac T/A. If you do this addition make sure your tie rod adjusting sleeves are facing out or the wheel won't steer! We almost found this out the hard way. ;)

Great pics and progress! What a steal for $1500 to start too! Nice job guys!

So I bought some OEM fenders that were completely redone. All holes were welded and grind down. Replaced the original fenders before dropping her off at paint.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/DSCF3079-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/DSCF3083-1.jpg

Here she is at paint and body 2 weeks in. The color is going to be a 2009 Lexus charcoal, called "Smokey Granite Mica"

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/DSCF3001-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/DSCF3002-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/DSCF3003-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/DSCF3004-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/DSCF3005-1.jpg

looking good! that charcoal colour will be sweet,
i'm liking the ghost flames in the body work dust on the hood :D

So I bought some OEM fenders that were completely redone. All holes were welded and grind down. Replaced the original fenders before dropping her off at paint.


Here she is at paint and body 2 weeks in. The color is going to be a 2009 Lexus charcoal, called "Smokey Granite Mica"



http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b59/VinceRap9/70%20Chevelle/DSCF3005-1.jpg

Great Job! you grafting the VW taillights in? :D

Great Job! you grafting the VW taillights in? :D


lol.. definitely not. Seems as if my car is in between projects so it is being used as a table. The purpose of the visit was to get a better idea on the time frame it will be done. By the looks of it, its gonna be a while. I'm not worried though this particular shop does phenomenal work. All for the low low price of $2600 for body work and paint (materials and paint included). They are going to disassemble the fenders, paint all the jams, under the trunk, underside of the hood, and do rust repair along the window trim.

I use to deliver PPG paint to them so they are giving me a smoking deal.