| The BIG Project part 2 |
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| The previous owner gave me a 65 327 block and crank with the car. The search for the rest of what I needed was easier than I had anticipated. A reputable local engine builder happened to have a fresh set of 65 327 heads that a customer never came back for. He also knew a guy that had the rods I needed. 1965 327 cid heads................... $350.00 1965 327 small journal rods........$100.00 Finding them 2 miles from home... Priceless! Special Thanks to Bob Brown, one of the best damn engine builders in S.W Lower Michigan!!! |
| A fresh .030 over 1965 327 now sits between the frame rails waiting to be brought back to life. Jan-Feb 2002 |
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| The front sheetmetal that came with the car was full of mud. I couldn't tell when I looked the car over that day in Nebraska. Obviously the car had been wrecked pretty good. It took me awhile to find decent fenders, radiator support, bumper filler, and related parts. They're getting to be hard to find. Over the winter months, I replaced all of the missing hardware underneath which included the e-brake cables, wheel cylinders, shock mounts, sending unit, gas tank vent, and so on. The rearend was trashed. Upon closer inspection, I found it wasn't the original rear. It had been replaced with a 66/67 Chevelle 10 bolt...soon I found out all 327 cars had 12 bolt rears. I know where the original one is. Its under the 67 Chevelle 300 drag car the previous owner has...grrrr. That would explain why the differential was so wasted. The poor lil 10 bolt peg leg never stood a chance being twisted by the guys 454 powered drag car. Luckily a friend , and fellow Team Chevelle member hooked me up with a decent 10 bolt out of a 66 Chevelle donor. Not correct, but its alot better than what I had to start with. I hope to find a 12 bolt that doesn't break the bank one of these days...haha. After many hours ,and alot of cursing, she started to look like a car uh...Chevelle again. Spring-summer 2002 |
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| The Evening Orchid paint was applied in Sept. 2002. My friend Mike Raven etch primed the sheetmetal, blocked it smooth and shot it. He does beautiful work. During the winter months I chased down a few wiring demons, broke the cam in, hung the bumpers, and worked on it when I had some free time. I gotta tell you, getting the car painted was a real motivater. I have come a long way, but there's still so much left to do yet. Sept 02 - August 03 |
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| Getting so close I can almost feel the wind in my hair. I actually took her around the block a few times to check for bugs. It felt so good to finaly be able to drive!! Sept 03 |