Project: LONG HAUL - LONG ROOF

61189 Views 201 Replies 49 Participants Last post by tommycomfort, Oct 6, 2016

tommycomfort

Discussion Starter · Feb 3, 2011

Well this 64 Chevelle wagon is hardly a new project to our family and many of you have seen it at different events over the years, but we figured it was time to start a build thread so people can see the big changes we’re making over the next few years. Sometimes we think build names are overdone but this one seemed pretty catchy so we’re going with it.
Some folks probably have been following along with our 66 2-door hardtop Pro-Touring build and know it has been our main effort for the last 8 years. The wagon was bought in 2003 when we realized that the 66 was going to be a long project. Even though we’ve made some huge improvements since we bought it, we’ve continued to drive it and enjoy it.
So, here’s where it is right now:
Powder coated frame
SPC upper A-arms
Reinforced lower A-arms with Del-a-lum bushings and custom swaybar mounts
ATS/AFX spindles
C5 front brakes
Hotchkis 1 3/8” hollow front swaybar
Jeep Grand Cherokee power steering box
Hotchkis lowering springs
KYB GR-2 shocks
Basically stock 327
Edelbrock performer intake
Holley offroad 600 cfm carb
GM HEI distributor
Hedman shorty headers
200-4R transmission with B&M shift kit
GM 12 bolt rearend with Eaton carrier, Moser axles and Richmond 3.42:1 gear
Rear disc brakes (some sort of small conversion using GM parts)
Wheel Vintiques 17x7” steel ralley wheels up front and 17x8” in the rear
BFGoodrich KDW’s

Here’s what’s coming up: (hopefully in 2011)
L&H Kustoms Pro Billet Tall Spindles
TKO 600 transmission
“LS1” rear brake swap (12”)
Wider tires front and back

Deb's favorite: Her getting the jump on me!

This one shows the quarter that needs to be replaced someday...

Chassis swap and floor repair 2006/2007

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1 - 20 of 202 Posts

Scotch

· #2 · Feb 3, 2011

Let me get some popcorn and settle in a comfy seat for this one....!!

tommycomfort

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 3, 2011

Scotch said:
Let me get some popcorn and settle in a comfy seat for this one....!!

Come on down with some tools and knowledge and we'll provide all the popcorn you can eat. No comfy seat though... LOL
Tom

bikeron

· #4 · Feb 3, 2011

I love seeing that wagon at an Autocross...

Ron

Derek69SS

· #5 · Feb 3, 2011

We'll need to organize a battle-of-the-wagons at some event.

tom_a

· #6 · Feb 3, 2011

I like the project :thumbsup:. I have to ask why would you remove the ATS spindles in place of the LH spindles?

bmiller

· #7 · Feb 3, 2011

tom_a said:
I like the project :thumbsup:. I have to ask why would you remove the ATS spindles in place of the LH spindles?

I was wondering this to.

Hotchkis

· #8 · Feb 3, 2011

Hey Tommy,

It was great meeting you out at Optima’s OUSCI after SEMA. Your wagon sounds like a great driver! Hotchkis was started on making A-bodies handle and we have a soft spot for long roofs like yours. We’re glad you chose Hotchkis for your front sway bar.

Here’s a couple of Hotchkis equipped A-body wagons we love.

Too bad you’re not closer to Los Angeles, your long roof would be a nice addition to our A-body and C-10 Open House on February 12th!

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3086959#post3086959

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tommycomfort

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 4, 2011 (Edited)

tom_a said:
I like the project :thumbsup:. I have to ask why would you remove the ATS spindles in place of the LH spindles?

bmiller said:
I was wondering this to.

Good question! We had originally been looking at the L&H spindles in the fall of 2009 when we found a used set of ATS spindles. After meeting Luke (of L&H) at the 2010 Pro-Touring dinner and talking to him at the Optima Invitational he made us a great deal. The ATS spindles functioned great and we also have them on our 66. They have already gone to a close friend and will be on his Chevelle soon!
If the L&H spindles perform half as well as they look, we'll be thrilled. Deb is looking forward to thrashing them on the auto-x soon and road courses before long.

tommycomfort

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 4, 2011

Hotchkis said:
Hey Tommy,

It was great meeting you out at Optima’s OUSCI after SEMA. Your wagon sounds like a great driver! Hotchkis was started on making A-bodies handle and we have a soft spot for long roofs like yours. We’re glad you chose Hotchkis for your front sway bar.

Too bad you’re not closer to Los Angeles, your long roof would be a nice addition to our A-body and C-10 Open House on February 12th!

Thanks, great talking to you out at Pahrump also! Although we'd love to be out there for the open house, unfortunately we're up to our necks in swapping out the big block for an LS in our 66. Not only does the wagon have a lot of Hotchkis parts, but Sam is building a 67 four door that will also.
Tom

o6r1man

· #11 · Feb 5, 2011

Very cool build! Keep the pics coming!

tommycomfort

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 8, 2011

Made some progress! Sam was off school for four days last week due to the ice storm so we worked him like a borrowed mule on the house remodel and car projects. We also got to work out every morning together so that was pretty cool too.

Outgoing spindles

Ditching the KYB GR-2 stock replacement shocks for the Edelbrocks. We bought these a few years ago for our 66 project, but ended up taking them off when we installed the DSE coil-overs. Sam thought he was getting these for his 67, but was ok with not getting them when I told him he may end up with coil-overs before his hits the road.

L&H bare spindle installed

Spindle with steering arm and brake bracket. These parts are just pieces of art!

L&H hubs with ARP studs

My favorite picture! Sam, the secret to our success!

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Beaux

· #13 · Feb 8, 2011

Very cool stuff.

Was there any technical reason you chose to swap out the ATS spindle for the LK spindle other than your discussion and trying them out? If you cannot or do not wish to share the reasoning thats cool too. Just curious because I am wavering on a swap myself.

93Polo

· #14 · Feb 8, 2011

Beaux said:
Very cool stuff.

Was there any technical reason you chose to swap out the ATS spindle for the LK spindle other than your discussion and trying them out? If you cannot or do not wish to share the reasoning thats cool too. Just curious because I am wavering on a swap myself.

I had the same question and point of view.

Cool project whatever mods you decide to do.

the walrus

· #15 · Feb 9, 2011

Tom, I've noticed in a few picture posts that you use wooden blocking to suppport the car,, are those just pine 2x4's boxed together?
The projects look killer staged together at the drags btw.

9pass2drwgn

· #16 · Feb 9, 2011

Love the rim/cap combo. Planning to do the same set up on my '65 2 door wagon (body color rims when finished)- What offests are the rims front/rear?

steve_sutherland

· #17 · Feb 9, 2011

Your wagon looks like a lot of fun! Thats awesome!

tommycomfort

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 9, 2011

Beaux said:
Very cool stuff.

Was there any technical reason you chose to swap out the ATS spindle for the LK spindle other than your discussion and trying them out? If you cannot or do not wish to share the reasoning thats cool too. Just curious because I am wavering on a swap myself.

93Polo said:
I had the same question and point of view.

Cool project whatever mods you decide to do.

Believe me, I am neither an engineer or a suspension expert, but do know that both spindles are similiar and designed to help improve the lackluster factory geometry. Bottom line is that Luke knew that we drive the wheels off the wagon and would run it to its limits (and ours). When it's all said and done, we'll give him and everyone else honest real world user feedback. I'd like to say we'll come up with a scientific comparison, but by the time we change alignment specs and add wider/stickier tires that will be out the window. So far I can say that the craftsmanship is second to none, but will save our real evaluation until it's on the street, auto-x and hopefully a couple road courses.
Tom

tommycomfort

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 9, 2011

the walrus said:
Tom, I've noticed in a few picture posts that you use wooden blocking to suppport the car,, are those just pine 2x4's boxed together?
The projects look killer staged together at the drags btw.

Yep, just construction grade 2x4" SPF. They work great and provide more stability and less damage than just using jack stands. Someday we'll do our work with a lift, but that might be a year or more away....
Tom

tommycomfort

Discussion Starter · #20 · Feb 9, 2011

9pass2drwgn said:
Love the rim/cap combo. Planning to do the same set up on my '65 2 door wagon (body color rims when finished)- What offests are the rims front/rear?

Front and back have 4.5" offsets. We're really debating what to do about the wheel and tire combo. Although we really like the rally's, we want to go wider but Wheel Vintiques just doesn't offer many options for backspacing. We'll either widen these an inch or so on the back side, or maybe just use two of the Vintage Wheel Works V-40's that came off our 66 and order two new 17x8's for the front. Just another problem that can be solved by throwing money at it...
Tom

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