Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

dashboard · 2K+ Club

BACK IN THE CARS APART CLUB

Lost in the 60s · President

Are you going to rent a hoist ?

Hydraulic ROLLER cam ?...

I don't remember if I have an extra engine stand. I might've sold it last year... I plan to get my LS5 off the shelf after Thanksgiving and pull it down for inspection or I would offer to let you use the one I know I have.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

I picked up a cherry picker at Fleet Farm last week; it will be for sale cheap when this project is completed. I have Stan’s four wheel dolly for transporting the engine, but will need a stand to flip the engine for the rear seal replacement.

Yes it will be some type of a roller cam but I’ll leave the selection up to Randy at Competition Engines I just want to retain the stock valve covers for the AC brackets.

I won’t be starting any of this till after the Thanksgiving Holiday’s.

Chris R · 2K+ Club

If Mitch cant find his. I have a stand thats 1000 lb capacity and brand new in the box ill sell you if you need one.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Tks Chris, I'll keep that in mind.

Lost in the 60s · President

I was in the shop for a while today and I can't see the other stand I used to have. I'm pretty sure I sold it a Hugo swap meet. The reason I sold it was it didn't like a big block on it. I never felt safe without a 2X4 under the balancer, so it wouldn't have done you much good anyway. The one I have is rated for 1,200 lbs and it STILL doesn't like a fully dressed BB hanging on it.

69SSConv · Active Member

Kevin,

I have a engine stand you can borrow. It is a 1000 or 1500 lb rated I used with my 396. I don't know that helps much or not, being I am way up north from you.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Thanks Loran I might be giving you a call in Dec.

Pushrod · Active Member

Hey Kev. I've got one you can use its got a gear box with a hand crank so you can rotate a BBC by your self, works great, let me know.

Bowtieman427 · Active Member

Craig, that sounds like a pretty cool engine stand never heard of one with a gear box....COOL

Kevin, What kind of cam you putting in ??? WE ARE DIEING TO KNOW ????
If you do not have it nailed down yet HYD Lunati VooDoos are pretty agressive. The word is the VooDoo line were designed by a cam guy that has been around for awhile. On TC his handle is UDHAROLD.. U know who I mean.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Rod, I'm in Ohio will call when Return next week.

bowtie · Secretary

The UD in UDHarold stands for Ultra Dyne. He invented the line, the VooDoo and many other successful grinds.

4-door Chevelle · Super Poster

I am planning on putting the VooDoo 60103 in mine this coming spring.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

It’s out, thanks to Jon H, I could not have done it with out him. The Keisler RS 500 five-speed trany was longer then I thought and required quit a bit of tilt but it came out through the top. Trany went in from below in October and came out through the top in December.

We now know you can remove a big block through the center of a four post lift, took patience to work in cramped quarters. Now it’s pull the heads, check the valves replace all the seals, install the new cam clean things up, and then off to the dyno.

Once again, thanks Jon.

Jon H · 1K+ Club

A guy doesn't mind helping a friend, but when you have to take your shoes off in the shop because it is cleaner than the typical house I think that is asking a bit much. Actually it was enjoyable as Kevin has all of the right tools and the prep work completed.

Lost in the 60s · President

Jon H wrote:
A guy doesn't mind helping a friend, but when you have to take your shoes off in the shop because it is cleaner than the typical house I think that is asking a bit much. Actually it was enjoyable as Kevin has all of the right tools and the prep work completed.
Isn't that crazy ??? It's like working in a gourmet chefs kitchen... That was really nice of you to run all the way down from Lino. Wish I could've volunteered but this week has been very busy.

67ss · 1K+ Club

Thanks Kevin, now I am thinking about getting an RS400 to put into my chevelle instead of the muncie. I might have to ask you a few questions before I pull the trigger on it.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Man... you retired guys have ALL the fun during the day! I would have taken today off if I'd known you guys were doing this!

Kevin I thought you could use the 4 post lift to pull the engine straight up if the trans had already been dropped out through the bottom? Something to think about for reassembly.

You still amaze me how you keep all the fluids from dripping out all over like what happens to me when I pull engines/transmissions... I'll bet you had the shop vac out sucking it up as it dripped out of the engine. Right?

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Starting 2012 with the snow a nice fall and a project that is snowballing.

Lost in the 60s · President

Did you really think you could contain it to just the engine ....

I gave the '66 a good wash after I drove it to the party and parked it on the storage side. With the new job, it's not looking likely that I will do anything with it in the near future. I moved the Camaro into the shop to replace the trunk floor that I have been threatening to do for 3 YEARS.... It will also be nice to get the fuel gauge working. I still haven't pulled the LS5 off the shelf to open it up either. This working during my winter "break" is getting in the way of fun.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

What new job? did I miss a post?

Lost in the 60s · President

dashboard wrote:
What new job? did I miss a post?
No, I didn't post anything about it but we did talk at the party...
I am doing restoration work for a frame shop near White Bear. I've been resurrecting a rusted '66 Mustang that they originally thought wasn't too bad. Well you know how it goes. Once you open it up for one panel, you find 3 more...

jim larson · 2K+ Club

whole new paint Job, right? Now's the time to put on a vinyl top, rather than later. Can't remember, but is it going to be a light green? And maybe a black top?

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Jim, I’m still undecided on the vinyl top right now. The original was called dark green on the trim tag but I don’t recall it being very dark. I’m fully aware that now’s the time to do it however.
Here is a really poor picture (scanned) of my Elky I took in Oct 1980, you can see the vinyl top color is very close to the paint color.

jim larson · 2K+ Club

My car came with a beige vinyl top, by 79 it had a black top, then by 94 the vinyl top disappeared.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Moving right along with ‘taking it apart’ and getting the Elky ready for paint. Stan, you where right, I tried every way to get the exhaust out without cutting, but in the end it was Sawsall time.

Almost done with soundproofing inside the cab, next come the smugglers box, doors and aft bulkhead.

It is down to being a shell; I think I’ve removed almost 2000 pounds of components and parts so far. Hope to have it in the paint shop before the week is out. Then it’s back to getting the engine work done.

Chris R · 2K+ Club

Kevin. What brand sound insulation did you use shown in that middle photo?

bowtie · Secretary

Looks like maybe Hushmat. I think Dynamat usually has thier name printed all over it. Thermo-Tec has a foil back that also looks like that too.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Kevin looks like it's going well. It was a real nice looking vehicle I'm sure it will be that much nicer when you are done.

I have a question for you, how high are the ceilings in your place? I would like to get a 4 post hoist but I only have 9' 6" ceilings and don't think it would be enough height.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Chris, it is a product that Gearlube recommended he used it in his Camaro and he was pleased with it, easy to install, forms very well to rolling surfaces and does a excellent job of soundproofing, the echo chamber is gone in the empty cab, picked it up at HD.

Tim, I have a vaulted ceiling in the garage just over nine feet tall at the wall and 12.5 feet at the peek. Next time your out this way stop by and check it out, I can almost stand up under the Elky when it‘s on the lift, wish it was higher but it’s better then being on the floor.

Lost in the 60s · President

You're going to like the sound mat. I used Eastwood brand in the '66. They sell Dynamat too and I think that's what it is with Eastwoods name on it. Put it on the back wall too. I replaced both doors so I used a spray on undercoating inside the doors to control sound transfer and vibration . Also used the undercoating in the front wheel wells. I am very pleased with how quiet the car is inside.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Kevin, I'll do that. I would like to see the shop although it will probably make me cry when I go back and look at my mess with all the paint dust and remnants of past projects.

I looked at rebuilding part of my roof that would give me about 13 feet at the crest where the roof and windshield would go. I may just have to do that.

So did I miss it somewhere, are you going back to the original color?

Tim H · Mega Poster

On the sound mat I like to cover the door where the dust and vapor shield would normally go. It seems to make a big difference on road noise and and small vibrations on that piece of sheetmetal.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Tim, great avatar! Who’s the little farmer?

Yes it’s going back to 1972 GM paint code 43, I think your familiar with the color. I really made the decision to return to the original color some years ago but it took till now to have the courage.

I’m going to put the soundproofing between the door and the trim panel. I’ve heard stories of the soundproofing coming loose inside the door and jamming up windows and other moving parts.
Mitch makes a good point, a lot of noise comes from the aft bulkhead area, even more so in the Elkys.

Speaking of windows; I have the vent windows out for painting and seal replacement and it looks much cleaner, I’m wondering if someone has eliminated the vent window and gone with one piece glass?

Anyone know of a custom glass shop?

Tim H · Mega Poster

That's my grandson sitting on my lawn mower at the cabin.

I know that you can buy one piece glass for Camaros I would look around and see if it's availible for the El Camino.

I've had that issue with it coming off inside the door and jambing the windows. It really sucks. I also put it in the side air vent compartments. Pretty much anywhere I can get it installed without seeing it afterwards. It sure does make the car seem alot more solid.

Lost in the 60s · President

dashboard wrote:
Tim, great avatar! Who’s the little farmer?

Yes it’s going back to 1972 GM paint code 43, I think your familiar with the color. I really made the decision to return to the original color some years ago but it took till now to have the courage.

I’m going to put the soundproofing between the door and the trim panel. I’ve heard stories of the soundproofing coming loose inside the door and jamming up windows and other moving parts.
Mitch makes a good point, a lot of noise comes from the aft bulkhead area, even more so in the Elkys.

Speaking of windows; I have the vent windows out for painting and seal replacement and it looks much cleaner, I’m wondering if someone has eliminated the vent window and gone with one piece glass?

Anyone know of a custom glass shop?
Check with LMC or Brothers trucks. They sell a vent window eliminator kit for the pickups and may have one availalbe for the Elky. You would have a one-off around here with no vent. I like the them, I now have 6 vehicles with vent windows... That could be a new forum user name for me. "Vent window"..........kinda like "Gearlube".
If you stay with the vents, we could set up a "tech session" for members interested in re-sealing the vent window and use yours as a model. I did both on the '66 and they turned out great. I got the Metro Molded Parts seal kit from James Hinshaw.

Lost in the 60s · President

Tim H wrote:

I looked at rebuilding part of my roof that would give me about 13 feet at the crest where the roof and windshield would go. I may just have to do that.

Have an old time barn raising. Get all the material there and a bunch of members over on a Saturday to rip-tear-rebuild.
And yes, once you've seen Kevin's "garage", you'll feel guilty for weeks.....I always do...

Tim H · Mega Poster

I am thinking about and adding a bay but also raising the roof on one end.

I think I would have nightmares afetr coming home and looking at my shop after seeing Kevin's.

Kevin here is a better picture of the little farmer. If you ned help in Ohio this year he's all set. He does have a bit of a tough time reaching the clutch and brake pedals but man can he steer that thing.

SShink · 3K+ Club

dashboard wrote:
I’m going to put the soundproofing between the door and the trim panel.

Thanks Kevin... now you've gone and snowballed my winter projects with all this talk of sound proofing!

My 'remove and replace the gauge circuit board project', 'adding AC project', and 'window motor/lock replacement project' just morphed into:

While I have the front seats out to get at the dash/steering column for gauges and adding AC... might as well take out the back seats and carpet... might as well put down sound proofing... might as well replace the carpet since it is showing wear...

When I replace the window motors and power locks (they're slow & 1 lock doesn't work)... might as well add sound proofing to the doors...

And I'm thinking of adding 3 point seat belts in the front as you strongly remind me to do... so that means replacing the non-correct headliner... which means more sound proofing under the roof... and a new headliner and dome light (wasn't replaced during previous restoration)...

I will be more in the CAC than ever before!

Derek69SS · Founding Member

That's how it starts...

All I had was a bad transmission.

Lost in the 60s · President

Stan, be careful what you put on the roof. Lots of stories out there about matting coming loose in the sun and falling on the headliner. The mat is a lot heavier than the factory fabric. When I get to doing headliners, I'm looking at Lizard Skin, or something like that, to eliminate the weight.

Lost in the 60s · President

Derek69SS wrote:
That's how it starts...
All I had was a bad transmission.
......
All too familiar with THAT scenario...

dashboard · 2K+ Club

SShink wrote:
Thanks Kevin... now you've gone and snowballed my winter projects with all this talk of sound proofing!
Blame Gearlube, he got me started on this, its Gearlube’s fault.
But be careful, if you recall I did lots of soundproofing with foam last winter, then replaced the M22 and it got so quite I could then hear wind noises I never heard before. That led to replacing all the door and window seals, and now maybe installing power windows.
Mitch I’m ready for a Tech session on doing vent windows, in fact it would be great to have your expertise as they will be installed after new paint. In fact we might be able to do two Tech sessions at the same time if Stan’s timing worked out. Stan?? March time frame weather permitting??

dashboard · 2K+ Club

If I remove my power steering pump by disconnecting the lines at the steering box and then cap off the fittings on the box, will I create a hydraulic lock? Will I still be able to steer? I know, so many dumb questions.

Lost in the 60s · President

dashboard wrote:
If I remove my power steering pump by disconnecting the lines at the steering box and then cap off the fittings on the box, will I create a hydraulic lock? Will I still be able to steer? I know, so many dumb questions.
If you cap the threads tight, yes, it will lock up. If you leave them open/loose plugs, fluid will spray out until it is empty. If the PS pump is still attached, I would secure it with rubber straps and leave it. It may steer a little stiff, but with just a shell for weight, it won't be bad.

bowtie · Secretary

Stan-I did 3 point belts on mine this past winter, same ones Rick P did. They were VERY easy to do and required no headliner removal. I won't hijack the thread, but your car should have the mounts in place, just need to put a little x at the point and trim. The bottom is easier.

Lost in the 60s · President

dashboard wrote:
Mitch I’m ready for a Tech session on doing vent windows, in fact it would be great to have your expertise as they will be installed after new paint. In fact we might be able to do two Tech sessions at the same time if Stan’s timing worked out. Stan?? March time frame weather permitting??
If you aren't going to eliminate the vent windows, then I'm up for a tech session. March is already a little busy but as of now, I still have the last 2 Saturdays open.
Check out the aftermarket power window conversion that places the switch where the regulator was and uses the original crank to operate. The interior panel needs no modification and still looks original...

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Phase two has started, today the Elky left for its new temporary winter home, Maaco of Burnsville. Jon H goes to Texas, and the best I can do is send my truck to Burnsville.

Stopped by this afternoon to go over some details with Jeff and Jason, both great guys to work with. Jason was showing me his GTO vert project and mentioned they had an Elky like mine in for some work. He took me out to the shop floor and there sat a 1972 El Camino SS. I walked over looked at the VIN and see it’s a W code. Figure the odds less than 600, 72 W code Elky’s where made and here sit two within 20 feet of each other forty years latter.

Getting pumped up now, today took the bla out of winter for me; now for the engine work then phase three and four.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Kevin, I'll give you some club cards Sat. at the brunch so that you can throw a bunch inside that W code Elky! That's way cool that there are 2 together out of 600!

Tim H · Mega Poster

I can't wait to see the Elky. I talked to a guy who had his classic car done there and was real happy with them. And he has high standards. I had a car done years ago at at Macco while I live in Huntington Beach. I did the same as you stripping down as much as I could. It turned out great. It was a 72 Chevelle that I honestly bought from a little old lady in Pasadena.

I'm sure your car will turn out great.