Thanks Scott! I really like the LS engine, but since this car is a real SS396, it had to have a big block! :thumbsup:

Can't wait to see what this monster does. I've heard of some great numbers out of the 509 and other 4" stroke builds over the years so i'm sure this one won't disappoint either.

Those ti intake valves? nice

You have head flow specs you are willing to share? Scott also had my vintage Dart 320 heads so I'd be curious how they compare to the AFRs. I would've liked to have gone with a newer design as well but given I had these and they were practically new I couldn't see not using them.

I can't wait to see what it does either! I have the head flow specs and "good" ports flow just over 400 cfm and the "bad" ports flow just under 400 cfm. Combined with the solid roller that Straub spec'd, it should move some air!

Not much too update other than picking up another piece of the puzzle from Bowler Transmissions. Once I get a bellhousing I’ll be able to mock up the engine and trans location.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4773/...d8294717_b.jpgT001 by Yelcamino, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4794/...514c630f_b.jpgT002 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

Chassis is looking great, Herb. I'm doing a similar set-up on the rear of my '66, but I'm doing mine on a very strict budget and building most of the brackets, etc myself. I'll probably have to enlist Ron's help with the front as it will be a blend of stock mounting points and other GM components. Thanks for sharing all your work pics!

Thanks Ric! :thumbsup:

Just a few small updates...

On the engine, I got the cam installed, degreed it (ended up 2* retarded), and checked piston to valve clearance (.120" intake, .160" exhaust). I also installed the rocker stands but I'm going to wait until I get closer to starting the engine before I install the rest of the valve train. No sense putting the valve springs under stress while it sits on the stand.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/819/2...b382c0dd_b.jpg10101 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/799/4...ef14a360_b.jpg10104 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4771/...68b2fab1_b.jpg10105 by Yelcamino, on Flickr


Next was a big step forward on this project... separating the body from the chassis! Now that this is done, there's no going back!

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/795/4...4a651deb_b.jpg10083 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

I finally got the nerve to start cutting on the Chevelle. There isn’t much original left on this car other than the main body, but I was still fretting cutting it up because of this…

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/819/4...0f9e1b9d_b.jpg10095 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

In the end, my inner Roadkill rose to the occasion and I busted out the sawsall and plasma cutter! The first cut is always the hardest, but once that was done, it was a free for all!

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/806/2...9f4cc64e_b.jpg10084 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

With the trunk cut out, the next step was the first test fit.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/813/4...60d2e024_b.jpg10085 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

Of course, once it got close to the frame, I saw a bunch of other stuff in the way, so I cut some more.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/785/2...3e365eb4_b.jpg10086 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

After that second round of cuts everything looked good and I started to lower it down until the rockers hit the frame supports (in the red lines, two on each side). Back up it went and off they came.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/790/2...2be730e3_b.jpg10087 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

And just like that she fits! As I stared at it, the rear looked really low, so I went out the El Camino and took some measurements to compare. Keep in mind, the chassis is level to the frame table so there’s no rake at all. Compared to the El Camino, the front of the Chevelle is about an inch lower, but the rear is 3-1/2 inches lower! Talk about mind blown! I never realized the El Camino had so much rake to it.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/899/4...d59605aa_b.jpg10089 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

This view is from the front. Next step is to finish cutting out the floor and tunnel so I can put the new floor supports in.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/809/2...8d285410_b.jpg10090 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

Engine compartment looks good. I have to remove the heater box and most of the firewall if I want to move the engine back as far as I originally planned.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/884/4...9a828666_b.jpg10091 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

The Ron Sutton 3-link looks happy.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/799/2...ea46b599_b.jpg10092 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

Imagine this view with 315’s tucked in there!

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/901/4...7e113828_b.jpg10093 by Yelcamino, on Flickr

I will always have a soft spot for a '66 Chevelle(maybe some day I will also have a garage spot for one) so i can imagine how hard it was to make the first cut, but after seeing it dropped on the frame assured me that it was the right move. Looking nasty!
:superhack:

Yeah, like I said, once I started :superhack: it was easy to keep going!

Thanks!