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Very good stuff... makes me feel terrible about the lack of progress on my Nova haha. :thumbsup:
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Looks great Mike!
Hey --- don't forget --- a rookie mistake (LOL) --- is to fit things up WITHOUT the rubber seals in place --- so before you go wracking the sheetmetal around too much -- make sure you have the "wubba" in place and then check fit. Use your old stuff if it's still around... but check the size against the new -- I've found some of the new stuff is "thicker" and or "thinner" than the OEM. * :thumbsup: |
We need an update!!! More pics!:D
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I should have some pics tomorrow or Thursday. Won't be anything too exciting through. I got most of the paint stripped and almost ready for primer. When I started to strip the windshield channel, I found some ugly spots so am in the process of cutting out the bad and putting in new stuff.
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Well I'm not as far along as I was hoping to be, but thought I'd post an update anyways. So I started stripping the window channels and found some ugly areas. For anyone that has never replaced sections of a window channel...what a pain in the *****. Each section probably took me about 2 hours if not longer.
All the areas with black on it I decided to cut out http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000649.jpg Cut the first part out http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000650.jpg I used 18 gauge sheet metal and found out that the cheap metal brake was exactly that...cheap. Didn't work at all with 18 gauge. So I had to use my vice and a hammer. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000663.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000651.jpg The first part was pretty straight forward. You can see in this pic part of the new piece that was put in. The second part had a curve to it so I had to make some relief cuts in the new metal http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000652.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000657.jpg New stuff in place http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000658.jpg Here's a close up of the rest of the areas I got rid of http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000653.jpg I'm not going to show each section as you get the hint. The windshield channel took quite a while as there were 4 or 5 sections to replace. Onto the rear window....more rust. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000665.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000666.jpg Out with the old http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000669.jpg New piece fabbed up http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000670.jpg And in place http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000671.jpg Once I had the rear window done I started doing a long list of other things that I have neglected or forgot about Did the sail panel gap http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000675.jpg I wanted the trunk/quarter welds to be cleaner, so I added some filler http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000676.jpg Other things I got done: Finished welding the quarter panel at the door jambs. Most of the welds were there, but had to finish a few more and clean them up. Had to weld the quarter panel to the rocker panel. This was done where the rear window sits in the back seat area. What a pain that was. Finished welding all the plug welds on the driver's side wheel housing and trimmed about 1/2" off the fender lip, just like the passenger side. Gave me some extra clearance for the tires. I think I have enough room now that that when I burn the 305's up, I'll be sending my rims in to be widened and get some 315's or 325's. Finished stripping the rocker panels. Thankfully didn't find any rusted areas. It seemed like everytime I got doing one area I haven't gotten around to, I would realize there was something else I didn't do. |
I was planning on getting the car into primer so I cleaned it all with PPG wax and grease remover.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000677.jpg Started masking the car. I wasn't too concerned about masking the inside as I will cleaning it up and putting in some POR or Zero Rust. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000678.jpg I got my spray gun out and was going to lay down the first coat of primer but I could not find my gun regulator anywhere. It was getting late in the day so I thought I would wait till later this week to get it done. Good thing I have two 220v heaters to get my shop nice and toasty as it's starting to get pretty close to zero Celcius over night. I also thought I was going to have to get new primer as mine sat in the shop since last winter and it got down to -20 degrees Celcius if not closer to -30 a few times. I called the supplier who said it should be fine. He said if it was water based primer, it would likely be no good. I'm using BASF RM line EP569 and EP769 (one's gray the other is black). So the next update the car will be in primer. |
Looking really good Mike!
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Nice......
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It looks great your making nice progress.
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Hey Mike its Steve down here in Toronto Ontario I bought your upper and lower control arms.Man the car is looking great. We are around the same stage.I am having more fun now as the end is coming closer.:thumbsup:
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Thanks for all the comments guys.
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Onto the updates...... Got the filler cap panel back into place. Didn't bother posting pics of the process as I did that earlier, and really it's just welding a piece of sheet metal into place. After I got that done, I finished up a few last things I wanted to get done before spraying it. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000686.jpg I finally got around to laying the primer. I decided to put 2 coats of black down first so I know when I'm getting close to the metal when sanding. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000688.jpg And then it was grey..... http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000690.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000691.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000692.jpg The weather today wasn't too bad outside (8 degree Celcius) but I still needed to have one of the 220 heaters going. Got it pretty nice in the shop. Don't think I'll have to worry about it being too cold in there. I had it running all day yesterday, today and will turn it off tomorrow after the cars had a good 24 hours in that temp. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000689.jpg I was asked about what primer I was using in another thread. I know I posted it earlier in this thread, but thought I'd post it again. It's a fairly new product that BASF brought out and is a one product for everything primer. I'm using it on the bare metal, as a high build and it will be my sealer also. Here's a quote from one of their pamphlets: Primer-surfacer? Wet-on-wet sealer? Precoat? Polyuroxy? Now one product lets you clear some shelf space by meeting all those needs. R-M’s new chromate-free epoxy primers – available in four colors – let shops replace a variety of products with just one easy-to-use solution. With outstanding adhesion over steel, aluminum, zinc coated and galvanized metals, the new primers are free of chromates yet deliver proven epoxy performance. The primers are offered in gray (EP569), white (EP669), black (EP769) and red (EP869) to blend smoothly with any basecoat, while eliminating excess inventory and guesswork. Here's the link to where I found that: http://www.leadingedge-az.com/winnin...ing2008%20.pdf It talks about the primer on page 7 of the pamphlet. This stuff was brought to my attention by 2blackragtops who owns a body shop and spoke to the BASF rep about using a product that would do everything for me since I'm doing it all in my shop. The only thing is....it's not cheap. I bought a gallon of black and a quart of grey to start with. A quart runs about $60-70. The nice thing though.....one product for each step. I did the firewall with it so far and I found that it sprays nice and sanded easy. I haven't done much sanding on other primers so not sure how it is in comparison, but I was happy with it. I'm really happy with how the firewall turned out. So now that the car is in primer, I'm going to take a break from the car for a couple weeks. I'm re-organizing my shop and need to get some stuff done around the yard. Not sure what I'll tackle next but as always....will post pics. |
Nice progress it looks great. They look almost done once you get them all one color even though we know better. Nice.
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:woot: :woot: :woot:
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What a awesome build your doing here ,respect.
I have an '70 nova (ex drag car)to build for auto cross and track use,like to get the speed tech torqarm rear suspension for it. Mike |
we ship to Europe!
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Exhaust manifolds?
Hi Mike,
I'm new on this site and just read the whole thread you made here. Awesome job on your car and thanks for all the great work helping the rest of us with this thread. What did you do with those stock exhaust manifolds? I need a set for a turbo build I am doing. If you want you can pm about them. Thanks Lance |
looikin real good.:hail: that's one killer nova.
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LS engine placement in Nova
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Jordan |
i moved my ls back 1.75 " in my nova it makes it really tight to the fw but still room for lines and wiring.
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Just a quick update. I haven't done anything new to the car since October. It hasn't worked out with winter, xmas, work, etc. I plan on heading out on Monday though as the wife and daughter are gone until Thursday. What timing...I'm off Monday to Wednesday so I hope to get some stuff done. These showed up this morning though. They are Speed Tech LSx headers that are built by Stainless Works. They are amazing quality. I know the polished isn't for everyone, but I'm glad I decided to get them. They will look awesome. Here's a few pics: http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000715.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000729.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000728.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000716.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000730.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000724.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000734.jpg Nice thick flanges http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000736.jpg You can see how deep the polish is on these things http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000738.jpg |
Hey Mike, the headers look awesome!!
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Nice bling! They look awesome. They make some beautiful stuff. Sweet.
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Very nice Mike. The shine on those SW headers are awesome.:yes:
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Thanks guys.
I got the headers installed today. They look great. Got the tape off and cleaned up the head http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000741.jpg Stainless Works recommends using the stock steel gaskets. For once I didn't go and do something stupid like sell them or throw them out. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000742.jpg These things are dummy proof http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000744.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000745.jpg The last motor I had in this car had Stage 8 header bolts. Hated them. They came loose all the time so this time I decided to go with Percy's split lock header bolts http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000746.jpg If you're wondering how they work, here's some close ups http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000747.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000748.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000749.jpg Added some of this good stuff to each of the bolts http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000751.jpg And they were on http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000752.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000753.jpg Other than the obvious reasons to do a LS swap, one more great reason is putting on the headers. These things took me less than an hour to put on. And I was taking my time not to scuff any thing up. I didn't swear once while putting the bolts in. Here's a close up of the bolt pattern http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000750.jpg After I got the headers done, I decided to install the intake so it wasn't just sitting there. I started by taking off the coils and the coil mounts http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000772.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000776.jpg Then I cleaned up the valley cover and intake ports http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000777.jpg |
I had to buy some new intake seals. Glad they were cheap.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000770.jpg These http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000778.jpg Go into there http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000771.jpg Like so http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000779.jpg And it was back on http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000784.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000781.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000782.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000783.jpg I plan on replacing the valve covers with some polished ones without coils mounts. I haven't decided yet exactly where I'm going to relocate the coils, but they will be hidden. I'm thinking about making a bracket and putting them on the subframe. One other thing I'm debating about which I would love to hear your thoughts about. I'm leaning towards sanding down the intake and painting it body color. The way it is now, I think the grey doesn't really fit in. I plan on painting the engine compartment body color also, but I think the intake would look better red than grey. Thoughts??? Tomorrow I'll head back out to the shop. Not sure exactly what I will get done, but one thing I plan on doing is in regards to the ash tray. I don't smoke and I never will. I won't allow anyone to smoke in my car, so tomorrow I plan on filling in the ash tray area. I have two ashtrays for the car so I thought I might as well sell them and get some money towards the build. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000786.jpg |
I was wondering where my gaskets were? Ha ha
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One other thing I forgot to add was a mistake I made by rushing a job. When I did the firewall and put the hole in for the steering column, I rushed it and didn't mount the column properly. Well I'm paying for it now. I have to expand the existing hole for the steering column so it sits better. Right now it it crooked towards the driver's side and too far down. I'll expand the hole and hope that the polished cover I have will cover up most of the hole, if not I'll have to figure out a fix to cover the ooops area. I already have an idea of what I'll do.
Here's a pics of what I'm talking about http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000757.jpg |
Looks great Mike.
I think the intake would look killer painted to match the color of the engine bay.:thumbsup: |
The anti sieze is a must. It looks great.
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Those headers are gorgeous! And I think the motor will look far less cluttered with the coils mounted elsewhere. :thumbsup:
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Looks good Mike. Oh - and BTW -- you're not the first or the last guy to punch the steering column in the slightly off place... :>) |
looks good Mike
all you need now is a set of those fancy ATS ign coil mounting brackets..... lol it never ends !!!! |
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I didn't get around to filling in the ash tray like I wanted to, but I did get the steering linkage all hooked up. What a pain in the ***** that was. And it took forever, although it didn't help that I had to keep chopping up my firewall. A whole lot of trial and error. I also took a nice chunk out of my hand. I had my hand some place it shouldn't have been and when the drill slipped, my hand was there to stop it. Got it so deep, it barely even bled. Thankfully I was almost done the steering as it put a bit of a damper on the rest of the day. Oh well enough whining and onto the pics. Linkage hooked up. That's the nice thing about the Speed Tech headers. They are designed so you only have to use two knuckles. I ended up making a bit of a mess of the hole in the firewall, thankfully the steering column mount covers most of it. I think there's only two holes not covered. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000796.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000810.jpg Thought I would see how it would look with everything else on. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000797.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000808.jpg I put the steering wheel on. Will be so nice that I can turn the wheels with the steering wheel now instead of forcing the wheels themselves. I also put the gauge cluster in just to see how it will look http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000806.jpg Since I messed up my hand, I thought I'd hang up some shop art that the wife got me for xmas. I've always wanted to get a bike, hence the bike ones (plus I love skulls) http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000816.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000817.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000818.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000820.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000822.jpg I still have one more pic that I got from Carl that I need to hang. Just haven't found a good spot yet. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000825.jpg This spring I hope to knock the shed that is behind the garage and put up a new one with a cement floor. I want to make the floor the same height and do the new shed as an attachment to the shop. I'll then punch a door way into the shed and move all my tools and cluster into the shed. Then I'll have more room for shop art. I also ordered a few brackets from Ironworks that will make things easier. I ordered a Lokar parking brake bracket, a Mast ECU bracket and some coil relocation brackets. I then ordered a Lokar hand parking brake and a boot for it. |
Explain the Mast ECU bracket please??
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Wow, really starting to come together; nice work :woot:
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The steering hookup worked out good. Nice progress.
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Looks good Mike. Good call on the intake color.
Nice to see the steering and gauge cluster on there.:thumbsup: |
No prob Mike. I was kidding anyway. You can just help me with questions I have and answers when the time comes??
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Thanks you sir!!!! Cars coming along nicely, can I PM you my email so you can send me all the pics of the tail pan replacement, I didn't tell you I have a 70 SS it rough but very quick, might even do a Pro-Charged 5.3 :unibrow:
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