Another 70 Chevelle Convertible in the Shop

[BlueSS454]

Thought I would share the latest Chevelle brought in to be De-Hooptyfied. I've been doing some side work on other peoples Chevelles and other Muscle cars since January, mostly Chevelles though. The latest ones that came in is here for a complete rebuild minus paint even thought it could really use it..actually it really needs to be taken off the frame, but it's not in the time frame or budget to do so.. It's a 70 Convertible SS clone..and I use that term very loosely. It has a 454/TH400/12 bolt
It's getting a complete interior overhaul, new wiring harnesses, new engine, all brake & fuel lines, probably a rear suspension rebuild, exhaust, body mounts, front end alignment, and detailed to look like an LS6 under the hood. It received a new floor before it came to me.
This car is probably one of the most hacked up one to come in the doors yet. Many, many electrical problems, bolts missing out of the engines, incorrect bolts all over the front end sheet metal, rubber hose as the main fuel line, unions all over home made brake lines, glass misaligned, etc. Here it as as I received it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1389.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1389.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1388.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1388.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1385.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1385.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1370.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1370.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1350.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1350.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1352.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1352.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1353.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1353.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1383.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1383.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1380.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1380.jpg.html)

[BlueSS454]

Pulled the engine out...there were only 3 of the 6 bolts holding the transmission to the engine, and they were loose.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1396.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1396.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1397.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1397.jpg.html)

Hmmm...what do we have here...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1401.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1401.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1399.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1399.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1400.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1400.jpg.html)

Then we have this...a true WTF moment...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1398.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1398.jpg.html)

It has a 427 rotating assembly in it...

[Postsedan]

Tom,

You'll get her straightened up. I love all the Folgers Coffee Cans <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan

[BlueSS454]

Thanks Dan! Don't mind my mess, one day I will have it somewhat organized! I also pulled everything off the firewall so I can paint the cab floor, repaint the firewall, rebuild the heater box, etc. More pics later on <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[SuperNovaSS]

Looks like a worthy car that you can take to the next level. The floor install looks nicer than most except they didn't take the time to seal the bare metal.


Jason

[BlueSS454]

I already took care of that..2 tubes of seam sealer later <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif. Just didn't get a picture of it yet. I'm going to get the floor and firewall painted by the end of the weekend hopefully so I can start putting it back together.

[Bill Rose]

What I'd like to know is, what are you doing with all this extra cash in your pocket,
cause I'm a little short right now <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/Can-I-Have-It.gif

[Postsedan]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Rose</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What I'd like to know is, what are you doing with all this extra cash in your pocket,
cause I'm a little short right now <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/Can-I-Have-It.gif </div></div>

He is buying Folgers Stock <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

Dan

[markjohnson]

You should probably delete that photo of the ground-down engine stamp pad . . . . . this is good advice.

[BlueSS454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markjohnson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You should probably delete that photo of the ground-down engine stamp pad . . . . . this is good advice. </div></div>

Just out of curiosity, why? That block isn't going back in the car.

[markjohnson]

Because it's probably out of a stolen car. Law enforcement will confiscate the entire car if that tampered-with pad is noticed by an officer or nosey-beyond-his-business state inspector.

[SuperNovaSS]

Really? How do you know they weren't trying to get rid of a marine code or something? Seeing that it is a late 69 512 block with a 427 rotating assembly, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a marine L88 or something. Do you really think law enforcement would go after an engine with a ground down pad stamp with no other evidence of funny business? Last I checked, it was not illegal to grind the stamp, casting numbers, date codes, etc off apart you own. I have seen a lot of silly stuff done to parts and most were not done to deceive or hide things.


Jason

[Bill Rose]

I guess it's really no different than decking any block. I had my Nova block decked, because I wanted it flat, and didn't care about the numbers.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/100_3422.jpg

[markjohnson]

Ok then, it came from a stolen boat. Either way it's been deliberately tampered with in a deceitful way and it's a giant red flag to law enforcement. With all the parts that you sell and deal, surely you have run across blocks with butchered pads like this. It's no big secret that high-horse cars were OFTEN snatched up for their motors. I've seen many, many blocks just like this. No matter how long ago it happened, some over zealous State Inspector or Highway Patrol will see that suspicious pad in whatever car it ends up in, seize the vehicle and then they will disassemble it for the owner by removing the heater box, cutting a nice little square hole in the floorboard to read VIN stamping on the frame, check transmission VIN, etc. This IS exactly what happens and I would be wary of having that block in my possession with the way that pad currently looks.

[markjohnson]

Decking is entirely different than somebody taking an angle grinder, files, hammers, punches and chisels for the sole purpose of obliterating that VIN from the front of the block.

[SuperNovaSS]

I have had a ton of decked blocks and some horrible restamps but nothing like that.. I have seen blocks like that for sale but never bought them. I did not buy them because they were overpriced and the mutilated pad effects the value, not because I was worried about a cop knocking on my door because someone ground on some metal.

Cars had VINs stamped on the blocks. Boats, crate engines, replacement engines, bare blocks, etc didn't. I have seen cars with this area ground on and filled before painting. Usually is it because the engine is a replacement and guys would rather have a blank pad than a low horse code showing. To think that most blocks that have had a pad ground on are stolen is a big stretch in my opinion. To think a cop would seize a 40 plus year old car that showed no other signs of tampering because the pad on the engine had grinding on it is also a stretch in my opinion. Rebuilders used to grind pads and restamp their name and bore size, job number,etc. quite a bit.

Sorry for hijacking the thread. I like the 70 Chevelle.


Jason

[BlueSS454]

I think this might be being a little paranoid. It's a 45 year old engine block that's probably been through countless hands since then. It could have been in a pickup truck, who knows. It's +.100 over already so it's about spent anyway. It's getting a CE block put in it.

[CC Rider]

I'm sure it will look great Tom.

[BlueSS454]

This afternoon I finished taking everything apart, except the front suspension, which is not in good shape. The trailing arm bushings are toast, the upper arms have egged holes. All the front bushings are shot, it's not pretty. Tomorrow I hope to get the floor and interior firewall painted.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1560.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1560.jpg.html)

And here is why the suspension needs to be done...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1569.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1569.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1565.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1565.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1566.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1566.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1571.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1571.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1568.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1568.jpg.html)

Trans Tag...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1573.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1573.jpg.html)

Something missing on the Booster?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1575.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1575.jpg.html)

Heater Box...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1576.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BlueSS454/media/70%20Convertible%20Chip/IMG_1576.jpg.html)