thats a great job on the frame so far,should make a killer car,good luck

Ouch. Yes, those are good looking wheels. But ouch. I may have to sell one of my kids to get those.

I had also looked at the Lateral-G wheels. I am a sucker for a 5-spoke. I haven't really looked into wheels just yet. There are many I like. There are many more I can't afford.:bang: I know, I know, I'm in the wrong hobby.

HEEP

Thanks tubbed. It will be a long progress.

HEEP

Just a quick update. It rained this weekend, so I was able to do some work and finally finished the frame. Got all the body mount rings that are included in the HPI kit installed and then the braces that are from ABC welded in.

Then, I got to clean out the catch-all. The body. Put a bunch of thingins in the attic of the garage to get it out of the way. My son was excited that he can help now that all the welding is done. Going to be a busy week for work, but maybe, just maybe, I can get the body back on the frame sometime this week. If not, it will be Sunday before I will have some time... no wait, that is Mother's Day. That will not happen. HAHA

Anyway, just keeping everyone updated.

Thanks,

HEEP

You know we must have pics!!!!

Uhhh....:ttiwop: Heep, you know I just couldn't resist. :lmao: :lmao:

I know. I know. I'll try to get some tonight. Cleaning up does not make for a good picture.

HEEP

alright, business dinner got over early, so I got a little time in the garage. Took you a couple of pictures. First one is the finished frame.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...psdae8dc4f.jpg

Here is the other side view.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps3bbc981f.jpg

Here are the spacers that come with the HPI kit.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps8314110f.jpg

Here is the gusset from ABC welded in.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps713db9ac.jpg

Of course, we are starting to get ready to set the body back on. the trunk has not been this clean in years. Anyone need an original crossmember?
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps890b569f.jpg

The tubs will be coming out soon to be banded.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...psadbd27a5.jpg

Then of course, this car was originally a vinyl top car. Ironworks Chevelle brought back some memories.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps13fda6e5.jpg

Also started on brake brackets tonight. Ill get oics of those later.

HEEP

There you go Heep...that's more like it. Frame is looking good bro. :welder: Big progress getting the body back on. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Yes, I'm ready. trying to figure out how at this point. I'm thinking two engine lifts, one on each end. I can put the frame on dollies, to manuever it better. you know how it is, these garage built cars with no lift:bang: .. got to do everything the hard way.

HEEP

Well, it was a monumental day in the HEEP garage. After 23+ years, the frame and body have been mated back together to make one. As I stated earlier, a couple of engine lifts

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...psb02dd35a.jpg

With some good help

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps60b3ae0a.jpg

I set this on some rollers

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...psa40726b7.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps7f3b3df2.jpg

Rolled them together

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...psb5f0051b.jpg

Got a little jack action

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps93a27cee.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps33f13f61.jpg

What about ride height

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps128775b3.jpg

And we are set in the garage

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps8b8b4986.jpg

At this point, I guess now set the engine, get the suspension under it. Many nights in the garage coming up.
I ordered brackets from Tobin last week, so brake work is coming.

HEEP

Congratulations. That's a huge!!

X2 Congrats!

23 years is a long time bro. Keep up the good work. Congrats!!

Wow I just went through the whole thread very nice, and 23 years wow I thought me 68 Chevelle was a long time to be apart. Very nice work your doing there. :relax:

Great frame mods, keep up the good work.......

Thomo

Thanks everyone. I've been waiting on this for a long time. I'll get things rolling here pretty quick, soccer is over with and the house projects are slowly getting done.

I'm ready to get more parts on it and get the engine and trans in. I guess I need to cut the tunnel out before I get the t56 in.

Thanks,
HEEP:thankyou:

You definitely deserve a



CONGRATS!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I'm excited for you! Yes the tunnel has to be modded for the t56. Keep us updated!

Great job. Congrats! Looks like your son is having fun with the build as well!
Keep us posted.

Thanks everyone. Yes, my son is enjoying it. He's learning stuff and I'm enjoying teaching him. We got out to install the muscle car pan on the LQ9 tonight so we can start the process of setting the engine and trans. The body is not setting down completely on the frame yet due to the what I call the drain holes hitting the tubes I installed. I'm sure a little bit of trimming will get it to work right. Maybe tomorrow night I'll tackle that.


I'm also looking at what Stielow did on his engine mounts on his latest project. I'm kind of leaning to copy him and use factory type mounts. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I tried to send him a PM, but his box was full. He's probably busier than a one legged man running a marathon. I have the brackets and the solid mounts from the previous engine that was installed.

HEEP

So no one has an opinion on the engine mounts?
Should I just do the norm on plates and standard SBC mounts?

HEEP

Jeep I think either way will work just one is more labor, Mark did it that way because he need the room?? I would just put the standard frame stands in with regular mounts?

Oh and where's the up dates???

well, not alot of progress this weekend. Worked on getting all the body mounts lined up and bolted down. Evidently, after sitting for all those years and all the welding I did on the frame, things have moved a little. looks like I am going to have to grind out one or two of the holes to get this thing bolted up.

HEEP

Wow, didnt realize how long it has been since I updated. Well, I finally got the guts to cut the tunnel out. Getting ready to set the engine in the frame. I ended up with Camaro mounts for the engine. I'll see how it works out. So my son an I went out tonight and got to work.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps0226a6b8.jpg

From the front
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...psd4a87521.jpg

Got the trans mounted to the engine with the help of little man.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps4d9d8be6.jpg

Pulled the shifter and will get to setting it in tomorrow. I hope.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps2a6ab9b9.jpg

Great progress Heep. Keep at it. The little one will appreciate the bonding time 25 years from now.

He just kept talking about how much fun he was having last night. I cherish these moments.

HEEP

My son is 9, and is really getting into my build as well. At the end of the day, all our kids want is time with us...no matter what we are doing. Building cars with them is merely a bonus. We do baseball, cars, and dirtbikes, in no specific order.
Cherish these moments is correct.

Glad you finally cut the tunnel, by the way.

You sir are correct. Our boys need their dads. I was just on the phone with my mom about my dads tools. They are mine if no one else in the family wants them. I remember some good times in the garage watching him and learning.

By the way. I did get the engine set in today. I bet no one on here has ever used the tool I used. I'll post up tomorrow. About to head out for our anniversary. 26 years this past Thursday.

HEEP

:smiley_smack:

Well, like I said, I got the engine at least set in the frame. Had a rather unique tool that I used, as the frame was set a little closer to the door than I had planned.
Anyway, I had rented this for another project here at the house, and thought I would seize this time to use it.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps5b4fa02d.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...psb6914e30.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps257a6afc.jpg

So this is the outcome of the event. Rather painless in setting it in. As you can see it is jut resting on the pan and the trans has the mount in. I am playing with the idea of using Camaro mounts so you can see them next to the stock Chevelle towers. I will need to see what I can do on this. I think engine setback is good, let me know if I am wrong here guys. Let me know if there are any other pic that are needed to make that decision.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps9fc51c50.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps875cd709.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...psec4f126b.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps2c34cb48.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps0c314d7d.jpg

HEEP

Heep, that is a rather unique tool. LOL!! If you set the engine back, are you gonna redo the firewall to accomodate the engine? Also, why won't you just get some LS adapter plates?

Engine Placement
 

Alright guys, I need some advice. I have purchased the GM conversion pan from a member here and got the engine set in. Right now, I have a 3.7 degree angle front to rear on the engine so it will clear the steering linkages. Now, I'm also more forward of where I would like to place the engine as it is about three inches from the firewall. The one thing holding me back right now is the trans mount. I will need to see what I can do to make it move farther back.

I'm ok with using the normal Ls swap mounts or fabricating whatever I ned to make it work with the camaro mounts.

So what is the optimal angle for the engine to set in? Would I be better off to purchase the Mast pan to make sure everything clears properly? Do I need to set the engine back further than the three inches to the firewall?

Thanks,
HEEP

I'd purchase the Mast pan. I have one and it's a nice piece. Costly, but nice.

Ok heepster, mine is about 1/2" off the firewall. I made my own mounts, and my own tranny crossmember.


http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2f75b6ba.jpg

Everything clears great. My vacuum hose for the brake booster just touches the firewall. I'm not so sure if I'm gonna keep it or not, as I might go manual brakes.

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5bcedf8f.jpg

Here's a pic of the steering box clearance. I basically set mine back as far as possible during mockup. Of course I had my headers installed, and I put the steering box on, to make sure all my stuff was covered. Having your oil pan on will be mandatory to ensure your golden on fitment. I'm using the Holley pan. It's about 1/4" off the top of the crossmember, and I also have a ton of clearance on the sump of the pan to the crossmember. I researched this a lot. Some people reported that they had to raise the engine, in order to get tie rod to pan clearance. My engine is as low in the car, and as far back in the car as possible with a stock firewall, and I have no problems anywhere.

Now I have to go update my build thread with new pics. I finally got my body on my chassis!
http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1851cc44.jpg

Scott, thanks for the update on this. I just posted in your thread. I was just looking at your mounts, and was thinking of doing something similar. I created the normal mounting plates today and bolted them on. Trying to decide what to do here. I really hate to spend more money on another pan.

I am going to have to come up with a modification to the trans crossmember to get the engine moved back as far as yours. This should not be an issue, as I will just have something lasered out to weld together. I am running the HPI Customs frame kit, and I think it is designed for autos.

HEEP

Yes sir, no problem. You know, I'm under 2 hours away from Chattanooga if you'd like to have a looksey.

Scott,

I was looking at your build thread and saw that you had the stock frame stands bolted on backwards, then I realized you were making your own mounts. While having your engine that far back has it's advantages, you will run into problems if you ever want to remove the transmission without removing the engine. The engine needs to tilt down quite a ways to remove a trans, and with the head being only 1/2" away from the firewall, there won't be any room for the engine to tilt down in the rear.

Heep,

Cool build. I've had my GTO since 1985, so I can relate to long term projects! I like your idea of using the Camaro engine mounts and making custom frame stands. My engine is mounted using stock Chevelle frame stands with poly mounts and adapter plates. I think I am getting a lot of vibration from the engine through the poly mounts.

Andrew