[sneakywrist]

I have a 68 that I started taking apart this weekend. All numbers have been confirmed and are matching. Now the problem...do I rebuild the 307 and Powerglide tranny or do I put in the 350 and the 700R4 that I have sitting in my garage...I tried to find out how much a number matching Chevelle with a 307 is worth but cant find a reliable source...Any and all advice is welcomed...

 

[Andy69]

unless the car is a survivor, I wouldn't concern yourself with the numbers matching bit.

If you care to, keep the old engine and tranny in a corner of the garage, but definitely put in the 350 and 4sp auto. I have a 350 with a 2004r and it's a much better driving car.

 

[keithb]

a 307 powerglide car is not that sought after and on the other hand 350 Chevelles are a dime a dozen. you can make a 350 look just like a 307 if you want to keep it stock looking. its what you want out of it.

 

[Dan Orgill]

I'd put the 350/4spd auto in with all the 307 emblems.

 

[sneakywrist]

Thanks for the input....350 700R4 it is

 

[von]

If nothing else, put the 700R4 in it. You'll think it gained 100 hp with the much lower first gear of the 700 than a PG. Plus you'll have OD on the road. Best thing I ever did to my '69 Malibu was replaced the 307 PG with a 350 (bone stock) and TH350. Made it a MUCH better driving car. I have a 200 4R waiting in the wings. Since yours is a '68, if you install a stock appearing 350, you could dress it as a stock 275 hp 327.

 

[67shovel]

It's the cars that came with the high horse power motors that most people are concerned about the matching numbers. It's these cars that were driven harder and raced more that blew up the original motors. That's why an SS w/matching numbers is rare. It's not to hard to find the low horse power cars still intact with original drivetrains.
Those cars were family commuters and not raced so matching numbers is quite common.

 

[sneakywrist]

Thx everyone...any tips for frame off restoration....In 6 hours of work I have the body unbolted from the frame....when help is available I will separate the two

 

[67shovel]

Tips? Start taking pictures now. Don't throw anything away because your going to order a repo part to replace it. Order the replacemnet part and install it before throwing the old one away. Don't cut rusty metal off your car until your holding the replacement panel.
Decide what your finished car will be....drag racer, pro street, pro touring, slighty modified, or stock and stick to your plan as you build. You don't want to switch horses in the middle of the stream. Budjet twice as much as you think it will cost and the time line will probably double too. It's not all fun restoring a car but you've just gotta grind through the tough dirty jobs and down the road you will be putting it all back together with clean parts.

 

[berner]

Thx everyone...any tips for frame off restoration....In 6 hours of work I have the body unbolted from the frame....when help is available I will separate the two

I you have any sheet metal that needs replacing now's the time to fit it up before you take the body off. It's a good idea to replace all the body bushings, rebuild/replace the door hinges and line the doors up before doing anything else.

Bag and tag everything.

 

[Big White]

Thx everyone...any tips for frame off restoration....In 6 hours of work I have the body unbolted from the frame....when help is available I will separate the two

Plan on spending three times longer than what you think it will take and at least twice as much (if not more) as you think it will cost.

I spent 5 years on a frame off that I originally thought would take 7 months. And that was doing serious work evenings and weekends - not just when I felt like it.

Good luck.

Rich

 

[Birddog1970]

Try and reuse as many original GM parts as you can. Reproductions are quick and easy too get, but as most will tell you the quality and fit is really bad on some of the parts. Do research on what parts to get and from where. Consider reconditioning your originals. The info from this site is priceless ... I couldn't of gotten through my project without them.

Good Luck and Have Fun with it!

 

[Jasons 69 Chevelle]

Do not replace any sheet metal until the body mounts are replaced.

 

[sneakywrist]

Wealth of information...Thank you to all....

 

[70-SS454]

I vote a Sleeper 307... "till you start it...."

 

[1969 350]

a 307 powerglide car is not that sought after and on the other hand 350 Chevelles are a dime a dozen. you can make a 350 look just like a 307 if you want to keep it stock looking. its what you want out of it.

Wish i could have found a bunch of 350 cars if they are a dime a dozen i could have saved quite a bit on some parts!

 

[von]

Wish i could have found a bunch of 350 cars if they are a dime a dozen i could have saved quite a bit on some parts!

I agree. Un-customized Malibus (non-SS) with ANY stock unmodified engine are getting scarce. Much less common than SS's (orig or clone). A stock unmodified 350 Malibu is a rarity nowadays.

 

[Elcoman]

I vote a 454 and a T-400.:yes:

 

[sneakywrist]

Extracted the windshield and rear window today....Located rusted spots in the channels...what is the right way to repair?

 

[Dan Orgill]

Extracted the windshield and rear window today....Located rusted spots in the channels...what is the right way to repair?

Post some pics if you can, but see if you can get some good donor pieces, or fab the need pieces to replace if you have to.

Is it rusted right through, or just surface rust?