Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

Good to see you're back at it. The A/C may take a bit longer than you anticipate. I'm installing one on my '38 and there's a LOT that goes into it.

When are we going to fire that bad boy up?

Ha ha...Good to get advice from my elders!! Much much olders elders

Kevin...lololololol....you should have brought the cane.

Dr. Tim. I had an overdrive custom done by Master Trans in Rosemount. They did a beefy 700R4. Took the drive shaft to Proven Force today. Had to switch yokes too since the old one was off the th-400. No dash button. I got a shifter kit from Bowtie that converts my horse shoe from a 3 speed to 4.

I will post some picks tomorrow. Kind of tired after the long day.

1. Finished routing the A/C hoses through the fender.
2. Mounted the power sterring box.
3. Mounted the A/C control box on the firewall. Wow what he'll that was. Those hoses have NO GIVE!
4. Mounted the hose plates and sealed them on the side wall.
5. Mounted dash back together.
6. Installed front wheels.

Doesn't feel like I got a lot done, but the big stuff on the A/C is done. I just couldn't beleive how hard it was to work those hoses around those angles through the fender. Then mounting the box you had 1/8" to play with while fighting the hoses. With cuts and a lot of swearing I got it.

Tomorrow I will finish the dash inside and start wiring inside for gauges, mount the A/C control panel, install the ordered tie rod end, then steering shaft etc. hope to get to the A/C cooler and dryer up front and start wiring. Wednesday will be the exhaust and then wiring the A/C in the engine compartment. Thursday will be saved for getting in the seat, center console shifter linkage etc. was hoping to be able to drive it by the weekend. At this point I don't see it but maybe....will post pics tomorrow.

-- Edited by gearlube on Monday 6th of May 2013 08:42:52 PM

-- Edited by gearlube on Monday 6th of May 2013 08:44:06 PM

Looks good Tom. Did you buy the tranny, have one rebuilt? Do you have to put the switch in the dash for the overdrive or how is that being handled?

Will have a full write up tomorrow. Ran into some issues. But it's now sorted...

There was no way the he had Vintage Air and it was easy. He must have Classic Auto air, and that one was straight through the firewall. There have been numerous complaints on the web about this. I had the fender off so the block off was easy. The pain here was that 90 degree angle with stiff hoses. I agree the bolts we had to line up was hard too, but it was fighting the hoses....

Honestly If I would do it again I would not go with Vintage Air because of it...I am quite nervous because if there is a leak I would have to remove the box and all the hoses.  There is no easy way to get to them...

-- Edited by gearlube on Monday 13th of May 2013 01:04:04 PM

I think I had a productive week.  I will be hitting it again tonight.  But I ran into lots of issues and had to fabricate and figure some things out.  Not cookie cutter.  My list is getting smaller though!  I am going to get everything done, and then leave all the electrical and wiring routing for last.

I installed the starter I got from the race shop. Its a high torque mini starter. However it is a Chinese item and when I fit it, the lip was too close to the fly wheel. So I had to grind all the down to give a comfortable clearance. Again a job that should have been 10 minutes ends up being 1 hour.


Installed my headers.


I finished up the major a/c pieces. I won't even tell you the nightmare the a/c box was trying to get into place and fight all the stiff rubber hoses going at a 90 degree angle. Have the cuts and bruises to prove it.








I got the compressor brackets mounted along with the compressor. Still need the belt. It too had to be modified with different bolts to fit my front end accessory kit.



Finished the interior A/C hose routing and installed the command module. Again still need to do all the wiring and some minor cosmetics. I also installed a large center speaker. Had to make a bracket for it as the stock one would not work. Routing all those hoses was a lot of fun in limited space.









Picked up my newly shortened drive shaft. Had to shorten it 3 1/8th inches. Had to install a new yolk. They are amazingly fast at Proven Force.


Tonight I will be working on the hoses and getting them connected. Thanks to Kevin "Dashboard" for the suggestion on lengthening the a/C hose. I called Vintage Air and they gave me a local place. Went over to Pyrteck and got a joiner and some a/c hose to lengthen my refrigeration hose to route in front of the engine instead of over it. Just looks cleaner. Will be crimping hoses tonight. Install the radiator and hoses etc. still have long list, but it is getting shorter! Goal is to have it moving by Memorial day..But I keep running into those 10 minute jobs turning into 1-2 hours!!

Steve you warned me about it and you were right. It took 2 hours to get it right. Drop it down, pull on the hose 1/2 inch. Rinse and repeat. I heard the Auto Classic Air it much better for their hose routing through the firewall. I agree the rest of the kit is pretty easy. The condenser, dryer etc was easy. I am looking forward to the A/C and Heat/defrost!! So it will be worth it. I was happy that the A/C box was pretty light, so handling it was good.

Lookin' good Tom! 

Hang in there, I'm like you and have figured out it's better to estimate the time required then increase it 2-3X based on running into part fit issues, multiple trips to the hardware store and auto parts stores, re-ordering parts that were missed, etc...  I can't wait to get mine back to start working on it, but I'm sure I'll run into un-anticipated issues too that I've missed on the checklist.

I'm sure the Vintage air will work out great, but I do have to say from looking at the pictures the Classic Auto Air system I installed in a '72 Chevelle a few years ago was much easier passing through the firewall and under the dash.  The worst thing I remember on that system was installing the air intake block off plate inside the passenger fender while the inner fender was still on.  Everything else was pretty straightforward.

I can't wait to hear it and go for a ride on Memorial Day! 

Then they had much better luck than Steve and I. Plus it helps that those are already A/C guys!!

Looks good Tom. I guess I'm glad I sold my Vintage Air.

Thanks Chris, hopefully that will be good advice for others now that I am far down that road. On to the next fun!!

Took the Chevelle out for a drive last night!!   Things went really well.  No more leaks!!  Shifts nice.  The 3.90 gears are really aggressive and 1st gear is gone in a few seconds.  I have to install the rear tail pipe ends, LED tail lights, and some minor pieces.  New rims are coming this week and will install the suspension too.  Taking it to Goodyear for A/C charge, alignment and to fix a minor thing.

Last night I did a 3 step wet sand process starting with 1500 grit, then 2000, then 3000 grit.  Pics below.  Will be buffing out the paint tonight.  Then tomorrow starting on the detail work in the engine compartment.  But at least it is running and I have to say it is the quickest car I have ever driven.  Will snap your neck and I didn't even hop on it, but for what I did, its all there.  Not going to make it to Car Craft with it.  Not enough miles on it and also I don't want to send anything un-finished.  I have a vision for this thing and I am getting close.

Don't get an alignment until you have the new wheels/tires on it....

Different sidewall height will change the specs....

Everything else looks good and there are PLENTY of un-finished cars at CC. I know that may not be your value but don't let it stop you from attending.  Your car is already way nicer than many that will be there...

Chris I basically unwired everything and re-did it based on advice from the guys and the net.

I guess I have a weird quirk in that if I am going to a show to show off my car, I want it complete. So I am going to target a different show. But I plan on helping out at the show and hanging out...

Exactly!! I heard its the best show in MN!!!! Seriously I am looking forward to it.

I finished the exterior which consisted of a 3 step wet sanding from 1200,1500,3000 grit to buffer cutting, polishing and sealing.  I will wax it tomorrow after the sealant sets in.  I thought it came out pretty well considering the paint job is kind of crappy but it will save me from having to paint for a while....

 

Then I hit the engine compartment detailing.  Got my summit parts today etc.  Pics are kind of crappy but you get the idea.  I am going for an industrial look.  Stainless, black and chrome.

 

 

My rims should be coming soon.  I still have quite the list to complete, but at least I can see the end to where I am satisfied for the time being to show it.  Still have to get the A/C charged and an alignment after I put in the new suspension and wheels.  Have interior things to finish, stereo etc.  Inside is still a pit....But honestly I am enjoying it again.  But still high on paint fumes...

That looks great!