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1969 Chevelle SS396


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  • 2 weeks later...

Upfront, the core support was assembled with the Vintage Air air conditioning system, and all of the dash wiring was being installed.

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New brake lines were bent along with a proportioning valve hidden behind the power booster.

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A II Much fuel vent was mounted in the trunk to keep the gasoline vapors from leaking out from the gas cap.

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The gauge cluster was cleaned and tested and the lenses were restored. All this was installed into a new dash face from OPGI. The little red LED functions as an alternator indicator light. The Vintage Air system uses a stock-type controller but the movements are all electric servo motors. The result is a clean and stock appearance.

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Soon the car was moved back into the body shop for the final installation of the fenders, doors, and front sheet metal. Once the sheet metal was installed and properly aligned, it received a final wet sanding before being masked in preparation for exterior color and clear.

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Although our car is not a true SS model, we decided to add a correct GM Chevelle SS stripe to the side for some color accent. We chose a bright red stripe color for maximum contrast against the black exterior color. We decided to spray the stripe in reverse, so the red was the first color to go on the outside of the body. Once it was applied, we masked off the final stripe design using a factory GM assembly manual as a guide. The dimensions are exactly as GM specified.

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Once the stripe was taped off, the exterior coats of Standox Carbon Flash metallic were applied. Three coats of color were sprayed on the car, and then it was bathed in several layers of clear. Our strategy was to apply two layers of clear, and then "cut open" the clear with 800 grit sand paper to allow it to outgas and breathe.

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After a couple weeks, we cleaned and wet sanded the clear and rolled the car into the baking spray booth for its final clearcoat. We then applied to more coats of clear to ensure a deep luster and smooth finish.

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I have edited the title of your discussion. It seems that the text "Street Machine Build Thread" in your original title caused a few folks to become upset that a "Street Machine Build" was being allowed on the AACA Discussion Forum.

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After a couple weeks, we cleaned and wet sanded the clear and rolled the car into the baking spray booth for its final clearcoat. We then applied to more coats of clear to ensure a deep luster and smooth finish.

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WOW!!!!!!! Looks AWESOME!!!!

Cort :)www.oldcarsstronghearts.com

1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve

"Windows open on the rest of the world" __ Suzy Bogguss __ 'Drive South'

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At this point, the window rollers and regulators and tracks were all rebuilt and lubricated. We installed a stereo from Antique Auto Radios which looks exactly like stock, but features modern internals, MP3 and Bluetooth capability, but still retains the sliding red needle like a 1969 Chevrolet radio.

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The interior assembly continued with original Chevrolet bucket seats that have been upholstered with leather covers in the original pattern. The crew installed the side windows and weatherstripping at this point, along with the windshield and rear glass. Next up where the door panels, dash pad, carpeting, and other interior details from OPGI.

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%7Boption%7Dhttp://www.v8tvshow.com/1969_Chevelle_AT/slides/1969_Chevelle_AT_06.10.14_010.JPG[/img]

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I have edited the title of your discussion. It seems that the text "Street Machine Build Thread" in your original title caused a few folks to become upset that a "Street Machine Build" was being allowed on the AACA Discussion Forum.

Thank you Matthew, we certainly didn't mean to break the rules, just share a car we thought people would like to see. We appreciate your edit!

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Nice work Kevin. Interesting build. Nice to see real work. NOT a reality show. Thanks!

Thank you Dwight, our TV show V8TV is all about building real cars and not reality nonsense. This car was not featured on the show (until the end) but we thought we'd share the photos. Thanks again!

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Next came the installation of the headlights, grille, bezels, and taillights. The car was wet sanded and buffed using a multi step process to bring out a mirror like finish.

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The theme for this car was the look of an SS 396, but with a few updates. We wanted a retro style wheel with a modern size and a high-performance tire, so we installed a set of 17 x 8" Rocket Racing Wheels in the hyper shot finish. This is a reflective dark gray spoke that changes color with various lighting conditions. The tires are BFGoodrich G Force Sport Comp 2 tires.

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  • 1 year later...

We realized we hadn't updated this story in a while, so we go!

 

All the fluids were changed, brakes were bled, and the remaining interior items were installed. At this point the crew completed the exhaust tips exiting just below the rear bumper. The rear trunk was spatter coated in original black and gray pattern.

 

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It was finally time for an initial test drive where we tuned the carburetor on a chassis dyno. We learned several things after warming up the car and running it on the rollers. We found the used rear differential to be worn out and the gears and housing were rusty.   The posi unit chattered like crazy and the clutches were gone, so we installed a new set of gears and a Detroit True Trac differential to remedy that problem.

 

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Changing the rear gear also required the installation of a new Speedometer drive gear.

 

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The dyno showed us some lean areas in the fuel curve, so we tuned the 750 carb but were not happy with the result, so we switched the carburetor for a Holley Street Avenger 870 CFM unit to better supply the thirsty 454.  This tuneup process was verified on the chassis dyno with a wideband oxygen sensor installed in the exhaust for optimum air fuel ratio.   

 

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We didn't do full power pulls on the dyno yet, as the car is super-fresh and is still not broken in.    After a 4-500 miles we'll change the fluids again and see what it does.   We'll be running Royal Purple synthetics to reduce friction as well as keep the moisture at bay.  

 

We put some miles on the car and are quite happy with the result. The car is stunning in any light, turn heads everywhere does, and the performance is excellent. It is a new feeling and tight, the steering is crisp, and that 454 makes tons of tire frying torque!

 

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The crew at the V8 Speed & Resto Shop did an outstanding job on this car, and we are grateful for an owner who was great to work with and who has become a good friend.

 

This car was on display at the 2014 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals show in Rosemont, Illinois, and scored 994 / 1000 points and winning a Street Modified Gold award!

 

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What a great way to start 2015! The V8 Speed & Resto Shop built '69 Chevelle landed a full feature in the February 2015 issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines Magazine! Thanks Hemmings, and congrats to the owner Al and the V8 Crew!

 

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Here’s a video feature of the car upon completion.

 

http://youtu.be/4iwSbMQ48lc

 

We shot several thousand photos of this whole build, here’s the link to the complete gallery if you’d like to check them out.  

 

http://www.v8tvshow.com/1969_Chevelle_AT/index.html

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The ‘69 Chevelle is coming back to the shop for a cool upgrade… it’s getting a Tremec TKO 600 5-speed conversion with a package from Modern Driveline.    We’ll post pics and video of the conversion soon.

 

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  • 9 months later...

The owner drove this ‘69 for a while, but eventually decided it was time to dump the automatic transmission in favor of a manual.   His hesitation was that he didn’t want to have to fight with a heavy clutch, but we teamed up with Modern Driveline to propose a hydraulic actuated clutch for an easier and smoother pedal effort.   We then proposed a 5-speed manual Tremec TKO 600 with an overdrive gear for better highway manners than the TH400 automatic with its 3000 RPM stall speed and 3.73:1 rear gear.

 

Modern DriveLine components including the aluminum bellhousing, Superior clutch, hydraulic throw-out bearing, and billet flywheel.  

 

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Tremec TKO 600 transmission with bellhousing installed awaiting test-fitting under the ‘69.

 

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Initial fit showing the shifter position in the original tunnel.   

 

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A bit of the tunnel will need to be replaced to bring the transmission up high enough to achieve proper driveline angles.

 

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New supplied transmission tunnel installed and primed:

 

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Slipping the TKO in place for the final install:

 

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Shifter hole opened to required size and console wiring peeking through:

 

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New Hurst shifter and boot installed

 

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Console installed and converted to 4-speed use:

 

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Re-sized drive shaft awaiting primer and paint:


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Once installed, the hydraulic clutch master cylinder reservoir is barely visible behind the brake booster.

 

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Inside the car, it appears just as it would with a factory installed Muncie 4-speed, except for one more gear on the Hurst shift ball…

 

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Edited by V8TV (see edit history)
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