Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

Tim H · Mega Poster

RE: Dave I got my buffer working again

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Tim it looks great and I’m looking forward to seeing it; I think those old GM colors where pretty cool, Azure Turquoise is a nice one.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Tim H wrote:
Hey Stan

I think the Boy Wonder may be stopping by tomorrow after the meeting. Not only does he pick up parts he may deliver them. If you are traveling with him maybe I'll see you tomorrow and then I can give you something green. And maybe a beer or two.

Wait a tick... I thought he was Batman and I was the Boy Wonder!

I'll throw in the round steel things, and will stop by after the meeting. I'll have that guy with a 'non-Chevelle' with me. I love the color green as long as it's not on my Chevelle and is on paper!

OscarZ · Mega Poster

Anyone mind if I tag along after the meeting too?

Lost in the 60s · President

OscarZ wrote:
Anyone mind if I tag along after the meeting too?
I may as well follow along. We can extend the club tour to Tim's haven of restoration...
Stan, got the clock ?
Kevin, my carpet and
Scott the tailpipes ?
Tim, you want that bench I'm giving away ?? I could throw it in the pickup and bring it down... Be another flat surface to cover with "stuff"...

Tim H · Mega Poster

As long as you guys don't mind a messy shop its fine with me. and stan you're right he is Batman

SShink · 3K+ Club

Lost in the 60s wrote:
Stan, got the clock ?

Yep, it's been in the truck since last night along with the rear springs for Chad, the grommet for Kevin, and now Tim's parts. Gotta love how our meetings turn into swap meets!

Lost in the 60s · President

SShink wrote:
Lost in the 60s wrote:
Stan, got the clock ?
Yep, it's been in the truck since last night along with the rear springs for Chad, the grommet for Kevin, and now Tim's parts. Gotta love how our meetings turn into swap meets!
Cool........remind Kevin to throw my carpet set in your truck too.........if he remembers to bring it with to your place....
I'll be leaving in about an hour. Wish I could drive the HHR to save gas. 72 miles round trip, plus whatever the trip to Tim's adds.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Thanks for stopping by yesterday guys and delivering all the parts. Busy day today I need to get the car back on the rotisserie so I can finish painting the bottom. We're cutting clear on Tuesday and the next round of clear on Thursday so I need to get it in gear that darn CAC clock is not slowing down.

Lost in the 60s · President

I really wanted to go too but I was in a time crunch for a birthday party for my sister and would've been late for that.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Lost in the 60s wrote:
I really wanted to go too but I was in a time crunch for a birthday party for my sister and would've been late for that.

Mitch,

I met one of your Camaro members the other week. I bought 5 late 68 / early 69 YA rims from him.

Been a busy weekend. Got the 502 final honed, chamfered, rods and pistons honed and a few other things on the engine. Refinished alot of interior parts for both cars and finally painted the firewall and bottom of the 69.

-- Edited by Tim H on Sunday 26th of February 2012 08:27:06 PM

Tim H · Mega Poster

Lost in the 60s wrote:
Car looks great, Tim. I'm gonna guess Jesse on the YA wheels...

Thanks.

Yes it was Jesse. I needed late 68 or January 69 rims and what he had was perfect for the date codes. I need to straighten one rim a bit but that is what they make torches for.

-- Edited by Tim H on Sunday 26th of February 2012 08:48:52 PM

SShink · 3K+ Club

Oh sure Pops... here I was all feelin' good about the work I did under mine today, and then you post this! What I wouldn't have done to work on the underside on a rotissere today! There are times when I think the frame off is the way to go.

Seriously, looks great! Nice work!

Tim H · Mega Poster

I think we were posting at the same time Stan.

Lost in the 60s · President

Car looks great, Tim. I'm gonna guess Jesse on the YA wheels...

Chris R · 2K+ Club

That black undercarriage looks really nice. Is it just painted or is that one of these products that protects against heat and sound?

Tim H · Mega Poster

Chris R wrote:
That black undercarriage looks really nice. Is it just painted or is that one of these products that protects against heat and sound?

The bottom was scraped of tar, blasted clean, put in POR 15, sanded with 240 and put in epoxy sanded with 400 then top coated with an epoxy base cermaic paint. It is still a bit wet in the pictures so it will get a little less shine to it. So no it is not a sound / heat deadener. I am tring to make the car as close to the factory colors and look as possible where it can be seen. I will put two layers of Fat Mat or some product on the floors, inside firewall and about everywhere else. But all of it will be covered so it won't be seen.

Lost in the 60s · President

Tim H wrote:
Lost in the 60s wrote:
Car looks great, Tim. I'm gonna guess Jesse on the YA wheels...
Thanks.
Yes it was Jesse. I needed late 68 or January 69 rims and what he had was perfect for the date codes. I need to straighten one rim a bit but that is what they make torches for.

-- Edited by Tim H on Sunday 26th of February 2012 08:48:52 PM
I figured it has him. He has been scrounging for correct dates for his '69 Camaro SS for years and has/had quite a collection of wheels.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Got the 502 into a shortblock but still need to degree the cam. Will be doing that in this week and then finish it up and head to the dyno soon. Hoping for some decent numbers.

I am bringing the 70 home tomorrow and will start tearing it down for a reshoot. I hope to have the 69 on it's frame by the weekend and then the 70 on the rotisserie. Got a bunch of the small parts blasted like the inside and underhood heater boxes, bumper brackets, seat slides etc.

The 427 is burnt and peened will be magnafluxing it this week. Crank is cut 10 10 and was blasted and magged. My target date for dyno on it is April 15th.

Got some days off this week so between golfing and cars it will be busy.

The 69 is blocked and buffing continues.

I got a call from a guy who I did a 67 Camaro for last year. He is putting it in the Duluth version of the World of Wheels the last weekend of this month. They are putting it on a turntable with mirrors to show the bottom. I'm planning on going to see it. I think it will show well.

Tim H · Mega Poster

This is the Camaro that will be in Duluth. I put a new quarter on the drivers side and a rear trunk filler panel. Real nice guy who owns it. He's owned it since he was 17.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Still moving ahead slowly. Body should be on the frame Saturday.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Lookin' good Pops!

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Looking very nice, there is a large spot in my heart for the first generation Camaro.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Couple more of the frame, the 12 bolt is out so I can get it set up and detailed.

-- Edited by Tim H on Saturday 17th of March 2012 06:22:10 PM

Tim H · Mega Poster

dashboard wrote:
Looking very nice, there is a large spot in my heart for the first generation Camaro.

Those are probably my favorite ones as well.

I'm inching closer. The 70 is now on the rotisserie

Lost in the 60s · President

I absolutely love that color. It would go very well with the Pearlescent interior...

If you get tired of that car in a couple years, I would seriously consider purchasing it...

SShink · 3K+ Club

Lost in the 60s wrote:
I absolutely love that color. It would go very well with the Pearlescent interior...

Tim H · Mega Poster

Lost in the 60s wrote:
I absolutely love that color. It would go very well with the Pearlescent interior...
If you get tired of that car in a couple years, I would seriously consider purchasing it...

Mitch

I really like the color and the paint is turning out real nice. Many hours of blocking the clear made it real flat and very deep and shiny.

When I go to sell it I'll let you know.

It will have black interior with a bench seat and a M22 rock crusher. It is date coded correctly.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Finished a bunch of little parts yesterday then magged the block and heads. Bored the 427 .030. Let me know if I am boring you with this stuff.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Tim H wrote:
Let me know if I am boring you with this stuff.

Are you kidding me??? Even though not everyone will admit it or post comments... many of us live through other's projects!

We all learn from each other, and this project is particularly different in a good way. You make it look easy with great results!

Chris R · 2K+ Club

I knew you would be happy with that color after convincing you it was the right way to go. It really is a sharp looking color. I dont think you will find a single sole that is bored with posts like this. Keep them coming.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Tonight's progress. Trunk is dusty from buffing so the picture looks kind of crappy.

Should be painting the dash, firewall and tail panel black tomorrow then I can get serious about getting the interior in.

Lost in the 60s · President

What do you use to paint the trunk ?? I've heard the water base paints don't hold up even with the clear sealer.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Lost in the 60s wrote:
What do you use to paint the trunk ?? I've heard the water base paints don't hold up even with the clear sealer.

GM paint but I do top coat it with clear that has been flattened. I haven't had an issue yet with water but then again I have't had a leaky trunk.

John D · 2K+ Club

Mitch, you may have heard me talking about my experience...

I used rattle-can trunk paint on my Smuggler's Box, and (unless they changed the formula) it has a few problems:

1 - it comes out of the can like a firehose.

2 - it takes 1 or 2 DAYS to dry, not hours

3 - after drying, it WIPED off with a wet towel

Since my application is much more prone to water exposure, I had to clear it to give some protection. I still have to "blot" the compartment dry (with reasonable care) after washing.

Lost in the 60s · President

John D wrote:
Mitch, you may have heard me talking about my experience...

I used rattle-can trunk paint on my Smuggler's Box, and (unless they changed the formula) it has a few problems:
1 - it comes out of the can like a firehose.
2 - it takes 1 or 2 DAYS to dry, not hours
3 - after drying, it WIPED off with a wet towel
Since my application is much more prone to water exposure, I had to clear it to give some protection. I still have to "blot" the compartment dry (with reasonable care) after washing.
Yup, it's always yhe rattler can paint that I read about not adhearing. I'm thinking Tim's paint its mix and he applies it with the gun. Probably more durable than the "shade tree" way, which is my usually route too. I'll need to look into the mix paint if I ever get around to replacing all the trunks I need to do.

Tim H · Mega Poster

This morning's work. Got the main body all masked off, sanded the last coat with 600 on the firewall, dash, cowl, rear package tray and tail panel. Shot it all with satin epoxy and removed some of the masking. Might take a run at the headliner tonight.

Lost in the 60s · President

Do you start at 5:00 am ???? You seem to get more done by 10am than I do all day...

Tim H · Mega Poster

Came home from the meeting and did a little more. I had blasted a bunch of parts the other day and a few more today. Got them from white metal into paint. I plan to refinish about every part on these two cars.

-- Edited by Tim H on Saturday 24th of March 2012 08:41:04 PM

Tim H · Mega Poster

few more. The fan is date coded January 1969 which is the month the body was built. Thed carb is the correct one for a 69 Chevelle with a 427. It's dated December 1968 and is a refurbished original. Smog pump is dated January 69.

-- Edited by Tim H on Saturday 24th of March 2012 08:45:39 PM

Tim H · Mega Poster

Lost in the 60s wrote:
Do you start at 5:00 am ???? You seem to get more done by 10am than I do all day...

ya I pretty much get up at 5 am everyday. It kind of sucks in some ways. I don't think I've slept in to 7:30 in 15 years or so with the exception if I've been out drinking the night before until the wee hours of the morning.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Few items I got from the big brown truck this week. 621 bell housing and the 6000 RPM tach which is correct for the engine size I think but the tach wasn't always standard to the stripped down model I am building.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Redline depended on which engine the car had. Smallblocks had the 5000 redline, and the 325hp and 350hp 396s got the 5500 redline. The solid-lifter bigblocks, such as the 375hp L78 396, L89 396, and COPO L72 427 cars would have had the 6000 redline.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Derek69SS wrote:
Redline depended on which engine the car had. Smallblocks had the 5000 redline, and the 325hp and 350hp 396s got the 5500 redline. The solid-lifter bigblocks, such as the 375hp L78 396, L89 396, and COPO L72 427 cars would have had the 6000 redline.

Thanks Derek. This car is getting the 427 and a M22. I figured you would be the one who might know.

Lost in the 60s · President

Pretty sure the gauge package was an option too and available on the Malibu. A guy I knew in school bought a '69 SS new and it was one of the super rare 300 deluxe sedan bodies. It had the L78 and gauge package along with a TH 400 and a 3.73 posi with a bench seat, column shift and rubber floor mat.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Slow day for the Chevelle's yesterday. We had a couple of birthdays to celebrate with family. Afterwards I painted my son's frame for his race car. It should be plumbed and driveable by the end of next weekend.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Got a little more done today. Brakes and some firewall work. Bead blasted the dimple rods. Got the 7115 cross drilled crank back cut 10/10. The crank is a late 1968 that is correct for a High Performance 427 that would have been in a Vette or COPO. Moving along slow but some what sure.... or so I think. Called the guys at Dick's Restoration. I may have them recover the bench seat.

-- Edited by Tim H on Wednesday 28th of March 2012 07:56:43 AM

Tim H · Mega Poster

SShink wrote:
Lookin' good Pops!
It's nice to see how a quality resto is supposed to be done compared to my rattle can paint and driver quality stuff.
Disc brakes huh... I suppose a COPO could have been ordered with them? Or, would they have come with the popeye arm required manual steering with a big block?

Thanks Stan I hope to do a quality job on this but like all cars there are always flaws.

From the research I've done the COPO's all had power disc brakes because of the high HP 427. There were only 323 COPO Chevelles built in 69 and 90+ of them went to Don Yenko for the famous SC. The 323 number is debated because it is based off the number of engines built. Like the SS it can only be proved through the paperwork.

The majority of them had manual steering, manual transmissions, bench seats and no frills. They all had 4:10 gears (thanks Stan) and were made to go fast from 0 to whatever but not a lot of top end speed. They did not have badges on the fenders or tail panel. The grill had a Bowtie and not a SS badge. There are a number of other things they did or did not have as well. I am planning to do or not do those to my car as well.

I really hope to emulate the COPO with date coded parts, the correct parts and that predate the body date 1 to 3 months. So far I've been able to get most of the parts that would have dates on them. From the engine and it's parts to M22 Rockcrusher to the rims it has what would have came on a COPO and they all predate the body the correct amount of time and are OEM.

Obviously things like interior non plastic parts will not have dates but the plastic parts with dates I have refinished the ones that originally came with my car.

It won't be an original COPO and I won't fake paperwork to try and say it is. That to me is fraud and not what I am about. But once the decision was made to stay with the original color I thought why not try to do this. There are alot of SS tributes and some COPO tributes. From what I have found most of the COPO tributes have 396 or 454 engines. Those are nice but the COPO had a 427. It makes it a rare car.

I will drive this car but I suspect I will sell it before the year is out.

I saved for a long time to build a car like this and if I sell it I will build another because it's what I like to do.

So there is my story on this car. I am taking pictures of everyting I am doing, all the parts in their original, prepped and finished conditions. And all the new parts.

I have had many of rattle can restoration cars and I think they are all cool and as long as your happy who cares what anyone else thinks.

The fuel injected engines that some of the guys have done are out of my knowledge and comfort zone. A solid lifter 427 is not so it made more sense for me to do this.

-- Edited by Tim H on Wednesday 28th of March 2012 09:09:42 PM

SShink · 3K+ Club

Lookin' good Pops!

It's nice to see how a quality resto is supposed to be done compared to my rattle can paint and driver quality stuff.

Disc brakes huh... I suppose a COPO could have been ordered with them? Or, would they have come with the popeye arm required manual steering with a big block?

Chris R · 2K+ Club

Tim. How do you like working with the Fat Mat? Is it better then the Dynamat. How much cheaper is it and did you get the stuff locally or order it?