[cybrslider]

Thought I would start another build thread - since that is what I'm doing also.

1969 Chevelle Nomad Wagon. Bought the car a little over 2 years ago. Orignally a 6 cylinder, Turbo 350, 6 passenger (no rear seat) factory A/C car.

When I bought it, it was running. Not really drivable as the brakes were in sad shape. Non - power, 4 wheel drum brakes. Pedal was almost impossible to push down. Car had exhaust leaks at the donut gasket and plenum gasket.

About 6 months ago, I bought a power disc brake conversion kit for the car. Decided I was going to fix the exhaust leaks, the major oil leak at the fuel pump, rebuild the front suspension and then drive the car that way for awhile.

I removed the exhaust and intake manifolds and promptly broke every stud on the exhaust manifold. Now get this - my WIFE said, "honey, why don't you just buy a new engine for the car instead of messing with all that 40 year old rusty junk?". Wow! She really is the best wife ever!

I told her that if I put a new engine in the car that I wanted to remove everything from the engine bay and clean it up. That morphed into a frame off resto mod.

Pics are what I started with 2 years ago and where I am today. I haven't been able to do much in the past month or 2 because I have a terminally ill family member I'm taking care of as well. He is a trooper though - wanted to get out in the shop and help me with the car even though he isn't really able to do anything.

Plan for the car is - big block, 5 or 6 speed manual and 12 bolt with 3.50 or 3.73 gears. Car has rusty floors so as soon as those are repaired (will be doing that myself - wish me luck!), I will be removing the body from the frame. I plan on running new fuel and brake lines. Going to get a whole new wiring harness as well. Will be blasting as much of the car myself as I possibly can. I am also going to paint the car. I plan on buying a crate big block from someone. I also, at this point, plan on buying a Hurst driveline conversion kit with tranny.

This build will undoubtedly take a few years. Can't wait to get out and start cutting the rusty floors and getting those repaired so I can make some progress. Will likely be a month or two before I can get started.

I have actually made a bit more progress on the firewall disassembly. I have removed the air conditioner box and wiring.

 

[sglide]

A Nomad with factory AC - interesting! Here are some questions/ideas for you as you go forward. Are you planning on putting in the JGC steering? I did that in my 68 Nomad/454/NP440 4sp-OD car and it handled like it had rack and pinion steering (almost!). Also, an internally regulated alternator is nice; if you are going to do this, make sure that the new wiring kit is designed the internally regulated alternator. While you are at it, how about a tilt column? Any A-body 69 to 72 column will work; for that matter, other GM columns, such as out of an Impala or Caprice, will do as well. They are all wired the same; you just have to use your plate that holds the column under the dash. You can swap out to some nice electric mirrors as well. Those off of the 90s full-size buicks/Olds/Pontiacs fit well. Check out http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363988 to see the ones that I did on my 68. The neat thing about the electric mirrors especially from the 95 Bonneville is that the single switch fits into the door escutcheon for the factory remote control mirror.

 

[cybrslider]

Hey Ralph,

I am actually planning on a tilt column and also an internally regulated alternator. Was thinking about going with an 80 to 100 amp alternator.

As for the JGC steering, I had read a thread or two about that here somewhere. Looked interesting. I may go that route as well. Will do more research on it.

I was thinking about installing cruise control as well as electric windows, door locks and mirrors. Plan is to keep the bench seat style but try and find a nice 60/40 split. The car is going to be a driver, not a show car. Plan on taking long road trips in it, parts chasing, hauling the dogs to the vet or park, pulling a pop up camper, etc.

 

[sglide]

Sounds good! For a front seat, check out a Strato-bench seat from a Toronado, El Dorado, Riviera, Grand Lemans or late 60s Caprice/Impala. It has strato-bucket backs, a bench bottom, and a flared arm rest. All you have to do is take off the electrics and put your bench runners on there. It's a comfortable seat for cruising and it fits in the Chevelles beautifully! There are some threads and pics of them on TC.

 

[72SSWagon]

I really like that wagon. Love the looks of the '69. Looks like you've made a good start. Great to have supportive wife! I picked up a cruise control system for my build. I'll post some pictures when I do the installation. There should be some good threads on the floor repairs as well in the forum. I know I pulled down quite a few when I was working on my first wagon. Good luck. Look forward to seeing the progress.

 

[blwnrat]

Its nice to see another 69 nomad build going on. I also am doing a '69 nomad originally small block fac/ac car. I have a 468 for it t-400 and it will have pwr everything and vintage air. (I am building this for the wife to cruise as my chevelle scares the hell out of her the reason why is a whole different story) Anyone who knows me knows I am not a person that builds stock or original looking cars, mine are usually a little over the top and this one is going to be the same. I have shaved all door handles and flush mounted the rear 1/4 glass. along with a few other custom mod's. It will be lowered just enough and sport a nice 2 tone paint that I still have to draw up and run past the wife. This will be a cruiser to haul the kids and drive from here in Ohio to Florida in the summer. Just nice to see another '69 nomad build going on.

Just a few to show some of the progress.:yes:

 

[YenkoChevelle69]

468/th400 from ohio to florida? LOL

 

[blwnrat]

Sure why not, I don't really care about the price of gas, it's the smiles per gallon I am interested in, besides it hauls about the same as my large SUV and is way cooler. The motor is built for the long haul not street light to street light that's what my other one is for. This is for long cruising.:yes: did I mention I am running a 3.08 gear and if it becomes a issue I'll change to an overdrive trans.

 

[sglide]

In my 68 wagon, I ran a 454 with a manual overdrive trans (.71 OD) and 3:36 rear. It got between 14 and 15 MPG at highway speeds. A 3:08 or a 2:73 would have probably put me in the 18 to 20 MPG range.

 

[chevygod]

Love seeing other's wagon projects. Keep the pics coming.
Tom

 

[cybrslider]

Dan,

Where did you get the floor pan? Will Chevelle coup or 4-door floor pans work or is there specific floor pan for the wagon?

 

[cybrslider]

I may have to change all my plans now. Wife is thinking she wants to move and if so, I will have to get the car running in the next 2 or 3 months. Will have to give up my 2500 sq ft shop for a 2 car garage too

 

[chevygod]

"OK, Honey, I'll move, but the new place must have a bigger shop"

Try it, it may work...

 

[Gossamer454]

cybrslider, where are you at in Oklahoma?
Are we by chance close neighbors?

 

[cybrslider]

"OK, Honey, I'll move, but the new place must have a bigger shop"

Try it, it may work...

Nope - already tried it. The house she is thinking of has a 3 car garage though. It's 690 sq ft. That will do I guess for now.

I did negoiate a new shop out of the deal but it won't be 2500 sq ft. Probably more like 1000.

 

[cybrslider]

cybrslider, where are you at in Oklahoma?
Are we by chance close neighbors?

Depends on your definition of close. I'm in Tuttle now so about 50 plus miles I would guess if you're in Edmond

 

[cybrslider]

Man, plans to restore a car can sure be derailed easily.

Did not get the house with the 3 car garage - got a house with two one car garages. Have almost no room to do anything in them. The car is in one of them. House only has 100 amp electric service and no 240 volt outlets so I haven't been able to weld all this time. So, new plans. For now, will just be cleaning up the engine bay, rebuilding the front and rear suspensions. Will probably find a used small block and turbo 350 and stick in there. Just to get the car running and usable again.

I have made very little progress. I have the front suspension removed and everything off the firewall. Will begin working on the control arms to get them cleaned up and new parts installed. Hopefully will have the frame rails and fire wall painted and the front suspension done in the next couple of weeks. I usually manage about 2 or 3 hours a week on it right now so it is slow going....

 

[john5469]

Try to find a Miller 135 or 140, it works great on 120 volts. Nice car.

 

[cybrslider]

Thanks John.

I've got a Miller 180 that I just bought about a month before I moved. Only has about 2 or 3 hours on it.

Might try to get a 120v welder if I end up staying in this house. I don't have the room on the property to build a bigger garage. May try to talk wife into moving again only this time I get to pick the house! lol

 

[Postsedan]

Cybrslider (can I have a real name to call you by) and Dan,

Here is a little something to insire you both....

Dan you`re a good man to built your wife a wagon.....see you at NOCC.





















Dan