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TomM - 66 Nova Wagon - LS1....
About Jan of 2010, I picked up an extremely clean 66 original wagon. It needed the usual floorpans, but the spare tire well was there, and not rotted. The previous owner had sanded the car, so the surface rust you see, is purely cosmetic. The more I tore in to the car, the more I found out it really was a solid as I suspected, so I have a pretty good canvas to start with....
Fast forward to Oct/Nov 2010. Finally got the old floor pans cut out, and the new ones fitted. It took me a while, as body work is definitely not my calling. In the meantime, I was slowly stripping the car, to get it ready for body work. I also built a rotisserie during that time. I finally got the car on the rotisserie today, and low and behold, it didn't break, and I was able to rotate the car easily.... The plan is of course the venerable LS1 from a 2004 GTO, 4L60E, 8.2 10 bolt, 3:55 posi, and without a doubt the full Church Boy's Racing "massage"... upper and lower arms, rack and crossmember, steering arms, sway bar, 2" dropped rear leaf springs,and the CBR/Stainlessworks headers. I am also doing the LS brake swap, front and rear 12" crossdrilled and slotted rotors, using the CBR front caliper brackets. It's going to be a slow and steady build, as I already have a running hotrod, so no need to kill mysef on this one. Here are a few pictures of the car, and progress to date....I'll be updating as I have something to add..... The wagon, as she arrived..... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...uild/053-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...0Build/052.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...uild/025-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...uild/022-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...uild/042-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...uild/036-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...32011207-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...32011203-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...32011202-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...32011201-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...32011200-1.jpg And last but not least...the bullet..... :D http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...32011205-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...32011204-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_0045.jpg T, |
Got the car off to the sandblaster. He called me the next day to say it was done...... ......Used a local guy here named Ron Nash with Knight Industrial Services. Complete sandblast with #5 sand, and two part Sherwin Williams epoxy primer for 500 bucks, including the fenders and hood (not shown). Not too bad IMO, and he got every nook and cranny.......
Picking up material to build sub frame connectors tomorrow, then a few more holes to weld up, and the bottom gets painted. Enjoy... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...1232011155.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...1232011156.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...1232011161.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...1232011160.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...1232011164.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...1232011158.jpg T, |
All sealed up, ready for paint.......
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...1232011185.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...1232011184.jpg Bottom done. Finally found some satin black like I wanted, that could be reduced and hardened as required. Rustoleum believe it or not.......8 bucks a quart...took about 1.5 quarts...... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...32011169-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...32011170-1.jpg T, |
Got her back on the tires. The CBR rear springs are a breeze to install, and I already like the way it's sittin, with no real weight on it............
Gonna mock up the engine and tranny next, to build the crossmember, then body work.......... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111692.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111702.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111712.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...1232011172.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111732.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111752.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111742.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111762.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111693.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111703.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111713.jpg T, |
Got the motor and tranny mocked up. Modified the stock crossmember by cutting a section out and sliding it back, and then welding in a plate on each side. I am setting my motor forward 1" this time, to gain more clearance at the rear. The motor mount interefered with the driver's side header so I had to relieve it a little bit, but no problems other wise.....
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111694.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111704.jpg Relieved motor mount, just had to notch it slightly...... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111743.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111773.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111764.jpg Rack clearance... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111722.jpg Console and shifter, unknown what car it came out of, got it with the wagon... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111772.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111763.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111753.jpg T, |
Finally got the materials to build the subframe connectors. Got them fabbed up and installed...
Sub frame connector roughed in.... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111672.jpg E-brake cable hole, this is a piece of 1/2" tubing, cut at an angle and welded on each end...... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111715.jpg Installed, welded and painted..... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...1232011168.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...20111723-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111734.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2320111695.jpg T, |
So, right now the car is off to the painters, should be about 3 months. There is quite a bit of bodywork to do to it, but I have seen the painters work and am more than happy with him taking whatever time he needs. Below is a rendering of the final concept I am shooting for. Shawn has some tweaks to do to the drawing, but you get the idea.........
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...ll_D2-Copy.jpg T, |
Great build
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Very,very cool.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Sweet wagon!
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"Another" TomM Masterpiece..........
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woow!!! amazing!!! :thumbsup:
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killer build..that console/shifter is from a gmc envoy..
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Beautiful work. That was in awesome shape, you don't see many in my area like that. I can't wait to see it painted. Keep us posted.
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Looks good:thumbsup:
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Very Nice!
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Looks like a nice shell to begin with .....sure makes things easier. nice progress. What do you think of the Church boys stuff ...Quality, fit etc....?
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Awesome Car - makes me want one
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Awesome wagon. More plzzzzz
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A little update. Seems Miguel (painter) has been busy. Hopefully we'll be ready for assembly by the end of March...... Also the color I have chosen, Alpine Mist metallic, 86-87 Jaguar color.... Thanks for all the compliments..... T, http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...-Copy-Copy.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0352.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0353.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0354.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0355.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0356.jpg |
A little color......
Got some color on the jambs, I like the way it changes shades, although it wasn't supposed to.... :D
T, http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0361.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0360.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0359.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0358.jpg |
i must say I like this build. I have been looking for a 62-65 wagon for a long time to do a similar build, but fell into a 66 wagon last week that i couldn't pass up. It is is worse shape then yours is but I plan to cut it up more so starting with bad floor pans and stuff isn't a real big deal. Keep up the good work.
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Looking good Tom!!:thumbsup:
John |
Well, we have color....painter says it will be ready mid next week...
T, http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0374.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0373.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0372.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0371.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0370.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/100_0369.jpg |
Looking good. Awesome color choice. What is it called?
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It looks real nice... Bet you can't wait for next week!!
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Update...
Well, got the car back from the painter, been busy getting it put together. Finally got the Chevelle done and running, so I can concentrate on the wagon.
Just got it off the trailer... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_2981.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_2982.jpg Got the new wheels and tires on... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_2988.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_2997.jpg LS1 in it's final resting place...unless I blow it ip...LOL http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_2993.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_2994.jpg Detroit Speed hidden wiper motor....yes I'm going to paint the rod.. http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_2990.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_2989.jpg Street and Performance block hugger A/C bracket... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_2992.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_2991.jpg That's all for now. Have the radiator mounted, will update more as I progress. Enjoy the pictures... T, |
Looks great. You're moving along quicly too. Do you plan on daily driving this? I would love to have a daily driver wagon with LS1 power, I imagine it would get decent mileage too....
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Looking good !
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I plan on driving it every day it doesn't rain......I got 24 mpg out of my Blue car.... T, |
Awesome! With the kids getting bigger, makes me want to build a wagon!!!
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Look'in Good ............Great job Tom!!
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Wow, how time flies....much to update....I actually fired the car off yesterday, and it runs fine. Had a couple of minor snafu's, but nothing spectacular......won't be long now, she'll be on the road....
Got the fuel system plumbed up.... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3004.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3005.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3010.jpg Battery cables and wiring..... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3048.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3050.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3049.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3056.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3058.jpg Steam vent and overflow.... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3063.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3064.jpg A/C system plumbing, missing one fitting.... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3068.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3069.jpg 3" Mandrel bent stainless headers and exhaust from Church Boy's Racing/Stainless Works... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3071.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3072.jpg Miscellaneous shots.... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/IMG_3070.jpg T, |
This is going to be a outstanding ride when you get it finished up soon.:thumbsup:
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Great Job Tom............Look'in Good!!!
Ken |
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