[gsjimmy]

Project Idea - new pic's 10/12/09

Hey,

Started to build a Nova project on the cheap. Got a '64 400 series post, that literally has NO floor, front stub and big a_s holes in the trunk. (What do you want, it was free). I also got 2 truck loads of parts with it. So now that everyone hates me........

I'm going to put a BUICK motor in it!

AND a FORD rear end

AND a fabbed up Mustang II front end

:turn:

I'll be posting pic's as we do the work. Already had the engine (building it as a Stage 1, TH400 BB spec's 464 cu inches, Hemi Killer Cam). The rear end was part of the deal, already narrowed w/3.50 open gears (going to 3.64 gears & posi). Comp Engineering frame rails & frame connectors.

Now for the best part.........

plain white wrapper & quiet mufflers.

I'm still working my way thru the parts and will post what I don't need.

Already posted the straight axle set up. Should have some trim, head light buckets, head light assemblys, tail light lenses & assembly, l & r full floors, a 400 series hood, hood hinges, motor mounts, NOS GM oil pan (in the box), sedan side glass.

 

[3-Pedal Post]

........I like it already! Needs more pedals though
Post them pics, I'll be watching.

 

[gsjimmy]

more pedels!

Oh no it dosent! I JUST blew up my muncie in the GS. Something about 500 ft lbs of torque running thru a trans rated for a max of 500 ft lbs! Makes a very loud noise when it goes, followed by immediate pain in the right hip pocket :yes:

Mucho expensive to fix, me don't likey that part..............but damn, was it fun to bang gears.

(M22 to follow, much stronger gears & OEM to Buicks)

Jim

'69 GS California
455 Stage 1 / M20 4spd / 3.31 POSI 12 bolt
"Hey, I found the weak link!"

 

[gsjimmy]

started!

Started to rebuild the cowl section. No pic's, finding the same exact stuff everyone else here has found. Spent 6 hours on Sunday chasing the tin worms. Have a section about `12" x 6" done in the lower driver's side rocker area. Nice to see clean steel again.

Of course this further shows us that we need to replace the entire firewall section with the repop parts. Have not seen pic's here regarding that operation, so I'll see about shooting them when we get ready for that whole operation. Nothing that money and a welder can't fix.

Jim

 

[STARNova]

Aww Come On

Come on man we need at least 1 before pic!!! :yes:
Need to appreciate all the work your undertaking.

 

[gsjimmy]

What goes in first?

Need to start buying parts. What goes in first, floor or firewall? I seem to have a very large open area between the doors and a swiss cheese firewall.:no:

So, what goes in first. A full floor section or a firewall section?

Jim

 

[junkyarddog134]

where do you get a repop firewall for a 64 been looking everywhere with no luck also have firewall issues seems someone decided to put a drivers tire into mine or an accident not sure but twisted metal and bondo

 

[Shawn F.]

I would first brace the inside of the car since you said it has no floors and now you will be tearing out the fire wall. After that, install the firewall and then do the full floors. Make sure to brace it up to keep the integrity/shape of the car and make sure the doors stay alligned.
And like mentioned, post up pics!!!

 

[Professor Fate]

 

[Kenny_Z]

Call it 'The Mutt' :yes:

And yes, we need pictures.

 

[gsjimmy]

Firewall

Junkyard Dog,

Will be using the repop '66 firewall & braces. I did some research on this part, and should be fine. I can't find anyone that knows what is different between 1st & 2nd gen firewall.

Since this is to be a street/strip type of car, functional is going to win out over "correct". I also "think" (dangerous at this point) that the firewall went in prior to the floor section. So I can feed the new panel in from the front and "drop" it into place, welding in the rockers & other attaching points.

Getting ready to get the new parts & panels. Here is the short list of repop items I need to come up with:

1. Full one piece floor
2. Full Firewall section
3. Firewall to floor brace kit
4. Outer rocker panels L&R
5. Outer wheel house L&R
6. Full trunk pan

See, not so bad, the roof is still good.

Lots of fabbing up replacement inner structures, removal of 2x3 box steel rocker reinforcements (can't figure that one out!). Of course the more we find & fix, the more the tin worms show up!

My be able to get some pic's tomarrow, if it quits raining. Something about bare steel & rain......

 

[Samwise_]

Can't wait to see some pics of this project, sounds exactley like what I'm having to do to my '67 post.

Where in Wis. are you located?

-Sam.

 

[gsjimmy]

sam

In sauk city, near madison

 

[Samwise_]

Used to drive through there a couple times a year, to go visit my sister in Iowa when she was at college there. A nice town, and you're not all that far away. Good to see other guys up here in our neck of the woods loving some old iron.

-Sam.

 

[gsjimmy]

Photo's

Yeah, it's ugly, but just wait, it gets worse!

 

[gsjimmy]

the ugly pic's

here's what we are fixing

 

[Shawn F.]

Wow, lots of work ahead of you. When it's all done it will look awesome though. Don't give up, there's plent of people here that will help you trust me. At least you will be saving one more peice of history!

 

[gsjimmy]

history

Hey Shawn,

The wife sure doesn't look at it as saving history (junk)! But she puts up with me & the gearhead thing.

I'm sure there will be plenty of long nights pounding & welding. Started working on the tails of the rear frame rails (12" & a cross brace). Trunk pan is not as bad as originally thought. Will need to custom make the 1.5 x 3 frame section out of 2 x 3 box steel. Just need a center section to cure the pin holes.

Jim

 

[gsjimmy]

Parts ordered!

OK, I've ordered up the parts to fix the rear 1/2 of the car. Outers, trunk center, ect.

Problem is i started to cut & repair the area under the tail panel. What I though could be filled with weld, really needs replacement. Looking for the tail panel for a '62-'64, cut about 12-13 inches into the trunk.

Let me know what you have!

Jim

 

[gsjimmy]

Progress update

Well, I launched into the rear frame rail project this weekend. Needed to replace a foot of frame rail on both sides and fab a cross brace. The plan is to plant 500+ ft lbs of torque (Big Block Buick) and not have the rear frame move.

Heres the before shots:

#19 - inside view dr. side

#25 - rear of pass side. not much left!

#22 - THE big problem! Both frame rail ends looked like this! Way bad, but 5 min with a sawzall.......