So within a couple of weeks I am going to go pick up a Chevelle from my grandpa. It has about 70,000 miles on it, has some rust, and a few minor dents it also has a 250 engine and a 2 speed power glide. I was just wondering how hard would it be to fix it up. By that I mean remove the rust and the dents, fix up the interior, and swap out engine and tranny. How hard is it to restore a car for the first time, I am only 16 I like working on cars but have never really had a chance, am I over my head on this or not.

Hey buddy. First, welcome!! Sounds like a sweet score, your grandpa's definitely cool in my book. You need to make sure you get that car. If you have any mechanical inclination, and even the slightest willingness to learn, the sky's the limit with what you'll be able to pull off with that car. Just remember, it usually costs more than you planned. I think the coolest cars are the ones you drive and work on together,and that's what you'll have. This is probably the BEST Chevelle website there is, and you'll get all the help you need along the way.

Chad. If you take your time, Do small sections at a time. You can do it.
Remember.
Rule #1. ALL rust must be removed or it WILL return. The best way to do this is to cut out the bad spots back to good metal. Then make a patch panel and weld (or have it welded) it in.
As for the engine. You have a couple of choices. 1. Replace the 6 with a 350sb bolted to the P-glide (it will bolt right up). You will need small block frame and engine mounts. 2. Replace the 6 with a SB and TH350 trans or Big block and TH400 trans.

Just remember. If you take your time, Come here and ask for help on things your not sure about and don't try to do too much at once. You will have the car of your dreams in a fey months/years...
Good luck..

It is only hard if you do it when you are older, married and have children. Much harder. Get the car, make a plan, set a budget. (be realistic). Check out the online stores for sheetmetal and SHIPPING! I am 36, married with two kids and about everything gets in your way!!!! I am not bitter, just telling you.

Trust me it will be harder if you pass on it now and sell it. One day looking back, man I wish I would have tried.
Keep the piece of family history in the family.
You can do it!
Jeff

Everything is harder to do when you are older and married with children!:D

So it can be done, Alright luckily being that its my grandpa's I get the chevelle for only $3000 which i think is a great deal. Another thing my dad used to be a farmer so he has a few tools but how many tools and what type of tools am i going to need for this. Thanks for your help!!

You have a golden opportunity on your hands Chad. I got my first car (64 Chevelle) when I was 15 and didn't know anything. I took auto mechanics in high school and wound up rebuilding several engines and carburetors before finishing the class. If you have such a class in your high school I highly recommend it. If not then you can learn everything you need to know right here on this forum. I'm 40 now and have 25 years experience doing mechanic work. Go for it, and if you have any questions along the way PM me and I'll walk you through whatever it is you're working on. Don't be shy. I mean this. Everyone who truely wants to learn needs a fair chance at learning the great art of auto mechanics.

So I know I am getting ahead of myself but I'm thinking about finding a 350 and building that up to hopefully atleast 300hp. Along with that what type of transmission should I put along with that and rearend. I really do appreciate all the help and I will keep you guys posted on hows it going.

So I know I am getting ahead of myself but I'm thinking about finding a 350 and building that up to hopefully atleast 300hp. Along with that what type of transmission should I put along with that and rearend. I really do appreciate all the help and I will keep you guys posted on hows it going.


If you want to do it right the first time, and have the money to spend or time to save, get an overdrive transmission. The best GM O/D transmission is the 200-4R, which was oroginally used in Montes and Cutlasses in the early 80s. For your rear end, ideally for the best all around gear matched with an O/D transmission, use 3.73:1s and a good posi unit. You'll be set for a while, and 300 HP will be fine for the 10 bolt that your soon-to-be car probably already has.

Hey, he's only 16.....girlfriends will also get in the way:D

Don't take too much apart at once!!!!

I always used to fall into this trap. once the car gets too far apart it becomes discouraging. I have seen a lot of young people lose interest in cars this way. Pick one project at a time and work on it. Get it running and insured as soon as you can. A car you can drive will beg for you to work on it. A car in pieces and boxes in the garage can soon feel like another chore. If you can drive it you will get your enjoyment out of each completed project right away, instead of having to wait years and possibly giving up in the interm.

And remember, girls will come and go, but a '70 is forever. ;)

I'd start off simple and go with a 350 engine and 350 tranny. Keep the rear gears you have for now until you're familiar with the more important aspects of the car.

Get a summer job. Dont loose interest in the car 70 is a highly desired year. Take your time and read , ask questions on this site. This is a good place to learn. I wouldn be halfway on my car if it wernt for the people on this site. It gets harder when you get in to big of a hurry. Great car to own:hurray:.

I got one more final question, what should be done first on it. From what I have figured out is first get it safe by upgrading brakes, and suspesion. Then go on to engine and Tranny, from there what should be done next paint/body work or interior what is more important to do first.

Clean the years off. So you can see. Suspention(breaks are good) and or motor. Get the greasy crap done first then worry about body and interior. You may want to stop rust before it grows (if any). IMO.

volunteer 2 hours a day at your favorite in town body shop, sweep the floor and empty the garbage, keep your mouth shut and dont ask stupid questions, when the guys there see your okay, they will take you in under there wing and teach you slowly, who knows maybe the boss will throw you a couple of bucks if you dont act like an idiot..been there know what I'm talkin about......good luck

Hey, he's only 16.....girlfriends will also get in the way:D

Hey, I bought my 70 when I was 17 and didn't have that problem :noway:

Here's what you need to do first after you get the car. Clean it up and take some time to go over it. No need to tear it completely apart and go hog wild on it since you've never done this before. Go over the cars suspension and brake system and get them both in good working order. If the engine runs and the trans shifts...leave it alone for now, you can always play with that later. As for the rear and the gears in it...I'd leave that be and just give the rear a fluid change. I can tell you for a fact that it has 3.08 gears in it because it came with a 6 cylinder engine, unless it was ordered differently. 3.08's are nice gears for a cruiser.

Get the Shop Manual, Body manual and Assembly Manual for the 70 also

I dont think anyone else said this because there older but 17 and if your grandpa is gunna charge you 3000$ for your chevelle i would be alittle scared, i would try to work something out with him so that you can save a few dollars cause if you payed 1000$ less thats a 1000$ more that you already have for parts and upgrades. every penny counts!

get it running, give it a quick tune up. you will getting plenty of attention even if its in bad condition, after all its a 70 chevelle. Then acquire parts, make room in your basement or shed, surf the net and find what you need. Thats the best advice i didnt listen to when i started my project. It takes time to stock pile parts and it also cost alot of money. My chevelle sat for 4 months until i got everything i needed. And i totally agree with what that one guy said about driving it and you building a love for it.