24 hours to deadline and counting...
 

Here's the latest from Steve on his Chevelle:

You guys are gonna have a blast! Too bad I can't make the trip..... :(

Bill, my cell will be on the whole trip. Call for updates. :thumbsup:

Tomorrow afternoon we plan to break-in the new rear tires in the parking lot. Ain't no way I'm gonna let Scott/Jody get the first smoke bellowing, tire shredding, axle jack burnout :D Pics and video to follow :drama:

SS

LMAO!!! Can't wait to see it!

:thumbsup: Who, us..............??????????? :unibrow:

Jody

You won't be gettin' a virgin ;) LOL

SS

Damn, shot that all to hell!!!! :D We had some cool video ideas for the Tour. :yes:

Jody

Lol!!

By the way Steve, make sure those wipers work! :D Weather is looking a bit iffy for the first few days of the Tour. Unless you want us to park under a bridge every time it rains!!! :willy:

Jody

I checked on the wipers situation today. Tommy says rain won't be an issue above 95 MPH without wipers, but he made sure they worked anyway. I just wonder how water tight that rag top is, since it's not been rainy day tested.

SS

And how fast do you think we're going to be driving??????? :D :D

Jody

We're going to need a spotter! :D

I nominate myself for all spotter duties :thumbsup:

Thats good news to hear, glad it came together Mr. S after that headache.

Hope everyone has good times in the velle' on the tour!!!!!!

Pictures!!!


Tim

I warned ya Steve, if they forgot to tighten the rods and mains, who knows what else they forgot or screwed up... that "balancing" job they did was terrible! I would be ashamed to put my name on that engine the way it arrived to you, and I hope GM feels the same way. Anything else majorly fubar on the teardown?

Good to hear it's on the way back together though.

Oh, and about the wipers, I got a shower squeegee you can borrow Jody. Just hang out the window and wipe from time to time in OVERLAPPING strokes. We don't want any missed spots or streaks!

Troy

Two guys per cylinder head. No that's a thrash. It's always nice to see other hot rodders overcome adversity. Have fun ou there.

The Aloha Automotive "engine guys" stayed til 11:00 PM and got the engine back together and installed, wired and plumbed in the Chevelle last night. The tranny and exhaust crew will do their thing, then test fire late morning for a midday test drive TODAY. Now that's 11th hour thrashin'... :hail:

SS

That's awesome!! And all so that these guys can have a free ride!?! :burnout: :drive:

LOL...they're both becoming more maintenance than the car! :eek:

SS

That's 8th hour thrashin...You still have to get to the 11th hour thrashin... :D

Don't make me put the sign back up :unibrow:

SS

I saved that picture... :D

So let's have an update Steve

Looks like we're finally good to go. We ran the engine yesterday morning inside the shop and everything seemed fine. Then, during the test drive, we noticed sudden/periodic loss of fuel pressure during cornering or accelerating maneuvers. Upon further inspection we discovered a leaky weld in the polished stainless steel tank, but nothing outwardly causing the fluxuation in fuel pressure. We need to maintain constant 60# fuel pressure, but without warning the pressure would sometimes drop to 35# then slowly [about a 10-count] rebuild pressure to 60#. After much debate [and even some arguing], we decided to remove and inspect the in-tank A-1000 fuel pump check valve. After opening the fuel tank inspection plate to remove the pump, we noticed the suck end of the fuel pickup tube had snuggled tightly against the bottom corner of the tank that appeared to inhibit unfettered fuel sump. The pump and check valve checked out fine, so we cut the fuel tank open and welded in a containment sump and rerouted the pickup tube accordingly. Just an hour ago we test ran the motor, then took it outside and rodeo'd the crap out of the Velle from idle to WOT and it held 60# pressure throughout all phases of operation...whew. It's now on it's way to Colin's Pre-HRPT party/BBQ in Milwaukee to be handed off to Jody and Scott for the long haul tour. I have a few pictures that better portray the above fuel tank problem and fix, so I'll email them to Scott to post this afternoon [I hope he's still around his PC at home]. I hate the 5-6 days before Power Tour when a new build car is coming out for the first time! :willy:

SS

Here's the pics. Can you say stance? :thumbsup:

https://lateral-g.net/temp/sand1001.jpg

https://lateral-g.net/temp/sand1003.jpg

https://lateral-g.net/temp/sand1004.jpg

https://lateral-g.net/temp/sand2002.jpg

Sorry, they're a little out of order, I'm thrashing to get ready to leave - I haven't even packed yet! lol

https://lateral-g.net/temp/sand2003.jpg

https://lateral-g.net/temp/sand2004.jpg

https://lateral-g.net/temp/sand2005.jpg

https://lateral-g.net/temp/sand2006.jpg

Wow that is one sweet car! :thumbsup:

Thanks to Andrew White at Aloha Automotive for beating the odds to have this car ready for HRPT. :hail: Are these guys good, or what! :thumbsup:

Enjoy the Tour and the ride, Scott. I'll be in Alaska by the time you finish the Tour, so it'll be mid-August before I first lay eyes on it. Drive it like parts are free :_paranoid

SS

Just got back a while ago from Colin's. The Chevelle is definitely a beautiful ride. Also had a bunch of time to check out the Mule and Malitude. Definitely some cool stuff.

Jeff

Congrats Steve, the car looks fantastic....Great Job Aloha, and to my other 2 buddies, who get to pilot that rocket...keep the shiny side up! :thumbsup:

J.T.

To everyone going on HRPT, especially Scott and Jody...Have Fun!!! The chevelle came out awesome, and glad things worked out Mr. S.

Snap some pics for those of us not going!!!

Best of Luck
Tim

Looks Good, Godspeed!

:thumbsup:

Dang! NOICE :D