Projects A New Deuce Project.....Chevy II style!

When I read your thoughts earlier in the thread about front end upgrades, I was going to suggest the Church Boys setup partly due to the ability to upgrade as desired. I used the CPP setup under mine and it made a huge improvement; much better driving car. But I have had a couple issues - for one, the ball joint boots were some sort of translucent rubber (?) material that split apart after less than 3000 miles so the ball joints will now be replaced. If I had it to do over again the CB setup would be the choice. But I'm not sure that was even available when I did mine, so....
Just about anything you do to upgrade the strut arm front suspension on these cars I think is a good thing.
So FWIW, as far as your parts purchase goes, I think you done good!
Great job so far.

 

The floor pan was another marketplace purchase...I am going to run the original bench seat, but I'll keep the braces as they do help stiffen the floor pan. Thinking about a roll bar too

Thanks, appreciate it! You still have your Chevy II?

 

Yep, and still doggedly moving forward.... I think....
Mission creep.

 

for those contemplating similar changes should take a look at the latest issue of Hot Rod magazine - pg 60 / Reengineered!

 

Anything happening with your ChevyII?

 

X2. Yes, please keep us updated. Somebody's got to serve as a role model for us slackers.

 

Thanks for prodding me.....A few updates:
I used a laser level to get the car straight and level while I finished up the toe boards, and finished the floor pan plug-welding, and seam across the back. I have a bit of work to fit the the sub-frame subframe connectors, and add some inner plates that would support and inner roll bar brace. I’ve got some plates coming in the mail.

A lot of little holes appeared during blasting mainly where the seam sealer resided. Some of this could have been fixed with duraglass or panel adhesive but I have replaced the rear trunk panel and one brace, and the bottoms of the taillight housings, and a few other pin-holes in the rear pan.

Next up a little patches in one wheelhouse, lower rear quarter,
I hope to have all the body and all the panels done this month if possible.

 

Nice work, really was hoping you were making progress!

 

slow and steady..., still on the hunt for a deal on a big cube small block with 525-550hp.

 

@Roadsir .... problem solved, 540 H.P. Dyno tested, 3 year - 30,000 mile warranty .... right from the crate ( they make more real power as they send that engine dyno sheets with them). We have purchased several of their engines and they run great.
427 CI SBC ProSeries Stroker Crate Engine | Small Block GM Style | Bas – BluePrint Engines

 

Thanks, glad to hear you’ve had multiple good experiences with blue print. I’ll give them a look.

I’ve been thinking about White Performance.
https://whiteperformance.com/products-1/ols/products/550-hp-sbc-406-stroker-engine

 

Thanks for the update. Don't worry, we'll keep nagging.
Noting that the White Performance engine description says it uses a factory style HEI distributor, you might double check that you have firewall clearance for that. Mine didn't - I'm using a small body distributor and even then it's kinda tight. Just a heads-up.
BTW, damn you do nice work!

 

Still plugging away …. Literally haha, here’s
progress pics on the 63 post.

I used the USCT Motorsports sub rail and modified them by:

Extended the front sides 3” so I could get two big plug welds into the front rails.

Added 3/4”flanges so I could plug weld them to the floor pan for what I think will be a cleaner and a little stronger means, than a corner tack.

Modified the drain hole in the floor to move it outboard of the sub rail. Also added sub-belt nut plate that is concealed by the sub rail.

Capped or boxed the rear section so I can use that to pick up a future diagonal bar for an 8 point roll bar.

Added a few threaded nuts for future crossmembers or exhaust mounting, and added at the rear.

Heavy coat of zinc rich primer on the inside.

Making some simple plates to mount some leaf spring sliders too.

]

 

The 377 is easier to build today then they were when we were still building claimer motors. Big bore blocks are easy to come by and with an after market block you do not have to have bearing spacers or oddball inserts.

A log time ago we put a DZ 302 in one, sub frame connectors, and 5 lug brakes. It was a hoot to drive.

 

I had dz302 in a 33 Plymouth coupe that was a blast!
I did some research on Blueprint as mentioned earlier… pretty impressive performance / value / warranty and they can get 454 cubes out their block 545hp 563 ft lbs of torque 10:1 !

 

I had one in a '64 Malibu. They were a fun motor if you didn't mind high rev cruising. They used to be pretty easy to come by. Not so much any more.

The nice thing about the Chevy II is that it does not take a lot of engine to push one. That and they are easy cars to build. Lots can be done with one without going stone exotic. Should be a fun project.

 

Not too much to report other finished up a trunk pan install, have a quick performance 31 spl housing and axles, and I did pull the pin at GG in Des Moines and bought a Blueprint 427 small block 540hp/535tq min fully dressed small block. Most dyno 10-15 over that so I’m hoping for 550.
Hope to have a 6pt or 8pt progress to share soon. 1-5/8 docal

 

Again, outstanding work and photo documenting, too bad there isn't more Chevy II activity on the HAMB as this is pretty valuable tech, especially to those that are new to modding these cars, unibody cars require a bit different approach compared to framed cars.
Fun stuff, keep posting!

 

Still plugging away( literally) . I made some plates for the cage mounts and plug welded them in places, and then had Innovative Metalworks bend the tubes and tig up a 6pt roll bar. He asked me how bad I wanted the armrests and that was a must have so made it work. I really like how it came out! I borrowed a rotisserie to finish up some work on the underside.

 

I didn't know you could make the cross bar removeable....????

 

You're right and that was my choice, I don't think it will cert., but most the places I'll be running won't be NHRA.
If the car dips into the 10's and I get warned I may need to change it....

 

Same with mine, first thing people said here was my door bars(fixed) were not high enough to pass tech and I said I doubt there will be any tech at Safeway.
Besides, I too wanted to keep my stock front door armrests.
Looking good Roadsir, can we expect more Chevy II reports from you?

 

Thanks Denny, yeah same with these door bars. … I’ll keep the posts coming!

 

Happy new year again…. A few updates on the Chevy II. I did have washers machined to to replace the front spring eye cups, and I tied the spring mount to the sub rail.
Also did a lot of minor work to the doors, fenders, and hood. The paint and body guy should be ready next week!
I have the 427 small block from blueprint. 541hp/541tq., I need to get the TKX, and figure out which 3rd member ratio????

 

Nice work

 

Yes, neat pickup too.

 

Thanks Denny, it's a 72 67K mile truck from Wyoming, 6cyl 4 speed, 16" wheels. Super, rust free but has some major hail damage.

 

Getting close to having some color. Dash and cage will be original dark turquoise, interior trim turquoise like original. Underside will be red oxide, and outside Ermine white.

 

nice!

but you forgot to move the rear floor forward?