1972 Vega Panel Express

[CDNL-78]

Here are some pictures of my newest car.

Plans are to put the 427 out of my Nova in it. Just picked up the built TH350 and a 3000 stall for it yesterday. Motor mounts and headers are coming from the states. They should be here next week. The plan is to start the transplant in 2 week after I get back from this next shift of work. I have order a rectangle port tunnel ram, a pair of 600 holleys, and K&N stacks, the 10 1/2 tall ones. I have a dash cluster now from a donor car as well as other parts to complete most of the puzzle. Carpet has been order also.

I will post some pictures of how it was found shortly.

Hope this car fits into this day 2 stuff, as I'm sure it does.

Enjoy!!


http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-7028-13249-dscn23592.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-7028-13250-dscn23601.jpg
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http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-7028-13257-dscn23691.jpg

[CDNL-78]

A few more pictures of how the car was found.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-7028-13258-img_20140524_1054381.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-7028-13259-img_20140524_1055021.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-7028-13260-img_20140524_1057391.jpg
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http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-7028-13264-img_20140524_1058141.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-7028-13265-img_20140524_1058211.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-7028-13266-img_20140524_1058281.jpg
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http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-7028-13268-img_20140524_1116161.jpg

[CDNL-78]

I was able to get a grill off of Ebay, it's in amazing shape. Sure smartened up the front of the car.

The paint is a little rough in a few place's, but I know a body guy that can just touch it up as need be. I have no plans on painting the car. It will remain as you see it. This is how the car ran around Red Deer, Alberta about 30 years ago. I remember seeing this thing running around and looking at it at a car show thinking how cool it was. Nothings changed, it still pretty frickin cool!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

Not the most modern build, or cleanest build compared to few cars in this day 2 forum, never the less, a blast from the past when its completed.

Enjoy!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[CDNL-78]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-7028-13270-img_20140621_1548281.jpg

[CDNL-78]

Due to the mice thinking they could move in while the car sat in the Quonset for a few years, it was a little bit smelly!! So I rented a rug doctor last night and shampooed the interior a couple times. I will let it air out for a bit now. I think this should take care of the smell.

The car came with no dash cluster. So I bought a parts car and took what I needed. I took the cluster apart and cleaned it the best I could. My daughter (14) took a silver highlight marker and highlighted the edging as it once was. It turned out pretty good. Now it just needs some mothers.

A couple pictures of the inside of the panel. Take notice of the mirror's. lol. Also if you look close enough, you can see the blue sex lights!!!

She's a retro mobile, that's for sure.

I will post up some more picture's as I progress.

Enjoy.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-7028-13271-img_20140629_0747241.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-7028-13272-img_20140629_0747341.jpg
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http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-7028-13276-img_20140629_0749201.jpg

[WILMASBOYL78]

I'm diggin' that blue rug..groovy <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

wilma

[CC Rider]

What a cool Vega.

[SuperNovaSS]

Sweet! Nice find. A big block should be a bit tough to control in that baby!


Jason

[earntaz]

I built one of those V-8 Vegas with a Don Hardy kit -- best thing to do was stab it and aim it!! Could be a handfull especially when shifting into 2nd gear at WOT ...

[Xplantdad]

Cool Vega Darcy!

[CDNL-78]

Thanks for the kind words guys.

Can't wait to get this thing running. Once the BB is in, then I will get some measurement's for a radiator. Then just need the small stuff, proper pulley's, alternator brackets, etc. My hope is to have it on the road this year. Just have to fit it in with my work schedule.

[68l30]

Great looking Vega!

Kind of reminds me of one a friend of a friend owns. Here it is reunited on it's real deal ramp truck.....this was taken last fall. Car was painted by the Nolan Bros...


BIG

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-105-13335-vega_3.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-105-13336-vega1.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-105-13337-vega2.jpg

[GaryC]

Like it. 30 mile an hour roll and stomp it. I bet she jumps right off the ground standing still when you hit the throttle. A friend of mine in 1970 had a really hot 69 Chevelle SS with tunnel ram and 2 fours. You would be looking at the tail lights and he would stomp on the pedal. Instantly your looking at the headlights and it didn't move from the spot it was parked on. Car just jumped 180. Never seen that happen before. Amazing to see.

[CDNL-78]

Got the motor mounts, plates and header's courtesy of Hemicolt. A special tanks to Tracy for taking the time to help a fellow enthusiast and send them up to Canada for me.

Got a few friends over yesterday along with my younger bro. He's the brute force and welder guru and off we went.......

Had the motor in and out about 6 times, some grinding, pounding, some swearing, you know, the usual. Things are tight!! We found it easier to put the motor in, then slide the passenger header in from below, then slide in the drivers side in from up top. Once we had things squared up the best we could, and string lined the driveline. Then we welded in the motor mount plates into place. The motor does sit slightly to the passenger side as it should. All in all things went pretty good. It sure helps to have 3 people for the install.

Still have lots more to get done, but this was probably the worst part to tackle. The motor is back on the shop floor, as I have to modify a few more thing, such as the starter to fit, and just some small stuff. Nothing a little bit of heat and a hammer won't take care of.

Here are a few pictures from yesterday, as I progress I will post up some more. Enjoy





http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/07/full-7028-13685-vega_transplant_24.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/07/full-7028-13686-vega_transplant_18.jpg
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http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/07/full-7028-13692-vega_transplant_2.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/07/full-7028-13693-vega_transplant_5.jpg
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http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/07/full-7028-13695-vega_transplant_15.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/07/full-7028-13696-vega_transplant_10.jpg

[BJCHEV396]

Looking good Darcy!Keep the pics coming.

[CDNL-78]

I'm back with a small update. Go the motor and tranny together and stuffed them in last night. Being as the car use to have a SB in it at one time, I was curious to see how far the cross member would be out with the BB in it. It about an inch longer, and not quite an inch to the one side. So I will fab up a cross member to allow for the extra length now, as well as the for the exhaust. I sent the headers out to be ceramic coated also, had them back in 4 days. They look pretty good. That will be the next mission now is to install the headers next weekend, and the drive shaft. My hope is the drive shaft won't have to be modified (shortened). I will find out soon enough I guess. I'm hoping the tunnel ram will be in by then to, then I can install it, as well as some ignition parts. Wiper motor needs to be installed also. The heater vent, I think I will fab up a piece of tin and cover it over, and just install the blower motor to push some air through the car on the colder evenings if I'm out cruising.

That's it for now, enjoy!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/07/full-7028-13900-img_20140717_190149.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/07/full-7028-13901-img_20140717_190206.jpg
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[Xplantdad]

Looking good Darcy!

[BJCHEV396]

Any updates Darcy?

[CDNL-78]

Now that the holiday season has come and went and I still have some time off work, I have progress the panel a bit more. The Wieand Tunnel ram wasn't drilled out for the top alt bracket, so I had a buddy come over and preform that. That way if it screwed up, I had some to complain at. Had no issues.
#1 Shows the 1/2 inch shim we put behind the 68 alternator bracket against the water pump.
#2 Shows the bracket we built to build up the mount for the bottom of the alternator.
#3 Is the same thing as pic #2, just a better pic. The bracket attached to the bottom of the Alt, I turned it around, welded it up and cut it to proper size.
#4 Shows the string line and how everything lines up pretty good for the future placement of the alt belt.

The reason I am documenting this Alternator fabing and fitting for a 427 Vega is I have looked high and low on the net for some picture building guidance and have found nothing. My hope is someone will be able to benefit for these pictures. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-7028-20213-img_0199.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-7028-20214-img_0200.jpg
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http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-7028-20216-img_0202.jpg

[CDNL-78]

Pic #1 shows the alignment of the alternator and the rest of the pulleys with the belt in place. Looks pretty good!!
Pic #2 Shows the bottom alt bracket welded into place. No laughing as my welding skill need a bit more practice.
Pic #3 Same as the last picture, just a better angle.

That pretty much looks after the Alt install now. Again, I hope this will be of some help to someone in the future for the install of the Alternator.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-7028-20217-img_0206.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-7028-20218-img_0207.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-7028-20219-img_0208.jpg

[CDNL-78]

Pic #1 I had this little tray built for the bottom of the rad, placed in some rubber and used some Gorilla glue and a couple rivets so the bottom of the rad had some cushion under it. The used a couple of flat tex screws and mounted it.
Pic #2 Got the rad in place and side mounts in place that I built. Rad seems pretty solid how I have mounted it.
Pic #3 Pic just shows how much room I have in between the fan and rad.

My concerns now are the upper rad will have to be modified a bit and put a curve neck in place. Went hunting in town and have a couple hoses to try and see how things fit. If all else fails, the rad will come back out and get modified. I might have the same issue with the lower hose. Might get out to the garage today and size things up.

Hope the pictures all make some sort of sense to ya all.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-7028-20220-img_0210.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-7028-20221-img_0211.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-7028-20222-img_0212.jpg

[CDNL-78]

When the car was in limbo a few years back, the gauges were stolen off the cowl. When the bandits did this, they bent everything up. So what I did was had a small aluminum plate made and painted it flat black. I cut a few small pieces of rubber and placed them on the bottom side of the bracket and mounted it on the cowl to hide the mess. I still have one more gauge to mount, but need to work on getting power to the back of it as the wire pulled out. But it's spot is ready when I get it fixed up.

I think it looks pretty good where it was mounted, and easy to see.

Got the oil dipstick in placed now, the oil sending units all hooked up on the bottom side. Temperature sending units hooked up.

Got to get after getting the dash back in the car and the steering done. I have all the components for the steering in hand, just gotta get after it. Then get some engine wiring harness back in place.

I have been playing with the tranny cross member, I think its good to go now, I ordered another tranny mount this AM, so it will be here tomorrow. Then I can button up this part of the car tomorrow some time. I will grab some grade 8 nuts and bolts today for the finally cross member touch's.


Enjoy!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-7028-20223-img_0203.jpg

[BJCHEV396]

Looken good Darcy!Keep the pics coming.

[CDNL-78]

I'm back with some more picture of the Vega build. Due to some time off at work and the help of a good buddy we have made a fair amount of progress.

#1 I had to modify the K-frame and finally got it fit into place now. Them pesky headers where in the way as usual!!
#2 Fuel pumps all hooked up and wired up now.
#3 I'm going to run the battery out of the back of the car, so I bought a battery box and some battery cables and got everything run to where the spare tire once sat. So drilled a hole and put a grommet in place and ran the cable and sheath and then silicone it into place.
#4 The fuel line and battery cable running to the front of the car.
#5 Same as last picture.
#6 I had to get the radiator slightly modified at a local rad shop, and now have it in and hooked up. The hose's were a bit of a challenge as I went to a local automotive store and started picking and choosing hoses then brought them home until I found something that was suitable and cut it down to fit into place. I think I bought a total of 7 hoses before I found the right ones to fit the bill.
#7 Top rad hose, same as above.
#8 Battery cable coming through to the spare tires old home.
#9 With the help of my buddy, we got the dash all hooked up and back into place. Then we got the carpet into place and cut it as needed. Got the sill plates back in, and got the shifter and mini-console back in. This things starting to actually look like a car inside again!! The seat belt..... The last owner just cut the old seat belt bolts out and left us nothing to work with. So we ended up drilling them out and then a re-tap of the existing holes and got the seat belts installed finally. This wasn't a fun job....
#10 More interior..
#11 The mini-console, it worked out that we ran the shifter cable up threw the old e-brake hole and it worked out perfect. What are the chances of that happening....
#11 Tranny cooler, we ended up adding some tabs to the existing support you see and mounted it. The grill actually fit back into place when we were done.


http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/04/full-7028-24227-img_0384.jpg
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[CDNL-78]

So we have gained leaps and bound on the vega in the last couple weeks, I have now taken the car to a local gent to get the pitman arm and the rest of the steering dealt with. Well he's got the car he will button up the exhaust, install the electric cut out, and the old mufflers off my L78 Nova. We will also get some back suspension worked completed before it is driven on the roads. I'm thinking the car should be running by the end of the week with any luck!!

This thing should rock when done, dam, I can't wait to here this thing run again with the headers wide open and at full throttle.....

More to come soon, stay tuned......

[whitetop]

Darcy..noticed the car is a GT or it at least has GT emblems and clear front park lens.. The dash you bought is a standard Vega Non GT dash..the wiring is different because they used different gauges..just wanted to give you a heads up.

You can buy blue fabric dye and dye the seats where they were faded out on drivers side headrest.

[CDNL-78]

Whitetop,

The car is not a GT, just badge as one. The badging is also in the wrong spot. So the dash is correct for the car. I also have the proper amber front signal light lense in the car now. Thanks for the heads up though.

The wife has indicated the interior will not be changed, but it can be freshened up. I will see what I can come up with for a proper dye match for the front buckets.

Thanks again for your input.

[CDNL-78]

Well, as Joel use to do when building BB Vegas, we have bent down the pitman arm and got our clearance from the bottom of the oil pan and the car now steers. The car was fired yesterday and sounds great. What we did was when the Nova had the exhaust taken off, we modified it to fit in the vega, electric cut outs and all. So it has 2 1/2&quot; in place. Sound pretty good. Drove the car home last night to discover it had a bad tranny leak from the kick down cable, but have since fixed that today. Went for another test drive this afternoon, and other then a minor leak from the tranny pan where the shifter cable is, and a small one by the remote oil filter, it pretty darn good. Hope to get it to the alignment shop tomorrow so it steers a bit better. I will get some pictures and a video up in the next few days of our progress. Just the smallest tweak of the throttle in 1st or 2nd gear and its going side ways...... what a rush.

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[Xplantdad]

Cool stuff Darcy! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[BJCHEV396]

X2!

[CDNL-78]

A couple picture from The Three Hill Show and Shine of the vega. Still working on getting some better video of it. I have already broken an axle in it. So I now have some Moser axles that will be installed today. Then I guess we'll see what the next weak link is when I get into the throttle.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/06/full-7028-27285-051.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/06/full-7028-27286-052.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/06/full-7028-27287-053.jpg

[earntaz]

What a cool Vega! Be careful with it on the big end -- could be a handful!! TAZ

[Xplantdad]

Cool stuff Darcy!

[BJCHEV396]

What a little beast!Good stuff Darcy!

[chevyandpontiac]

Very cool. Love Vega's.

[CDNL-78]

A couple pic's,
The first being a pic of the exhaust and electric cut outs. Everything tucked up and away pretty well. This is the old exhaust off the Nova.
#2: The steering nightmare completed. Found some good pictures online and that was the blueprint that was used. Install a drive shaft loop, just in case..... The ladder bars were also changed up from the one that were on the car versus the ones that came with the car. The newer ones are better.
#3: When the car was built in the very early 80's, they took a Impala style 12 bolt and cut down the housing and axles and welded them back up. I guess the car broke lots of axles in the past. Of course I found out the hard way trying to do a brake stand!! oops. So well the axles were out in this picture, we measured them up and ordered some Moser. They are being installed, and I should have the car back tomorrow with any luck.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/06/full-7028-27393-img_0427.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/06/full-7028-27394-img_0430.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/06/full-7028-27395-img_0484.jpg

[CDNL-78]

First vid is taking the daughter for her first ride about. She hasn't gotten in it since.!! The only way she will get in it is if she gets to drive. I will let her soon, I'm just putting some miles on it to get the bugs worked out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlR_NOMau9k

Second vid is just a quick stab of the throttle, it just spins the tires in first, hit second, same thing, it just wanted to go side ways with the old M50-14's. Since then I have put some Hoosiers on it. Will see how thing hook up now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iiaWc8ppg8

I will get some better videos soon, as they are just with phones.

Enjoy.

[fastco]

Darcy, I really am liking this retro-Vega Panel. Reminds me of the old school vans we used to build!! Just picked up an Astre for parts for my 72 Vega. It's still powered by the 4 banger... and I drive any chance I can. Probably a small block conversion over the winter is in order

[CDNL-78]

Had the Vega at a local car show a few weeks ago and the local radio station thought they would shoot a video of the car. They ended up posting it on there facebook page. A buddy of mine seen it and let me know. I contacted the radio stations program director and ask him to get me a copy of the video. They posted it on utube for me. Here is the link for your viewing pleasure. It's pretty funny once he starts his commentary.

Enjoy

https://youtu.be/Z4SghRepmE0

[Xplantdad]

LOL! Thanks for sharing Darcy...

[BJCHEV396]

X2!