Texas 69

[Astontibs]

You said you were using the Heidt's Front Clip. How do you like it? I saw one a few years ago and it looked flimsy to me. Were you able to stay with normal 1st gen backspacing on the wheels? How about oil pan? DId you use an F-body pan or aftermarket. How about header fitment?

[tmadden]

The Heidts front clip is good, especially for the cost. It's not DSE but It will work. Not sure why you thought it flimsy. I've got 4.5" inch front backspacing. The old Heidts which is what I have did not recommend putting a 9"-10" wheel on it, so I bought 18x8.5. Oil pan came from Autocraft. Very nice. Headers fit the subframe fine. No issues. had to figure which to use by measurements because Stainless Works had not designed one for the Heidts.

[Astontibs]

Thanks for the feedback. The one I saw was on a drag car and the frame rails just looked undersized to me. Then again that was right after I looked at Chris ALston subframe. I am trying to find a subframe that will allow me to use the F-body oil pan on my LS-1, allow me to use the 17X8 with 4 1/2 backspace wheels, have close to stock height, have the modern negative camber curve and big brakes and be compatible with many LS retrofit header designs. I know it's a tall order but I am still hoping. It sounds like my sheels would work on the Heidt's based on what you used, but I am wondering if you tried an F-body pan. From the literature it looks like they use a tall spindle and short upper A-arm and I know you can get the big brakes. I remember the price was very reasonable also.

[Jgpclone]

thats one bad ass maro ,looking foward to see this project come together

[Spiffav8]

Originally Posted by tmadden

Firewall needed correcting and a few other things. Mike will finish out most of the car and get her running for me.

Perfectionist!

[Musclerodz]

I guess it is about time I take over this thread and bring it to life. After a short trip to TX to pick it up, we got it home and started to inspect the car. After a thorough look over, it was evident that some of the previous assembly work was going to have to be redone mostly due to not ever being finished off properly, along with a couple other "iffy" things.

First item on the list was the firewall. Several issues led to the changing of it. The factory hanging points for the vintage air were gone and did not want any exposed hardware. The DBW pedal was mounted too low and would have interfered with the carpet once installed. Lastly the firewall itself had not been seam sealed before paint, it was badly warped, and looked like a sack of walnuts around the tunnel opening from a wreck many moons ago.

First thing was to protect the paint on the car by wrapping it with spark deflection paper



here is the center of the firewall badly warped



unfinished edge and not sealed



unnecessary holes and not pretty to boot



out came the firewall a little too easy only to find bare unprotected metal



firewall and panel weld through primed, and welded in place. I also welded on the clutch cylibder bracket to further prevent flexing of the bracket

[Musclerodz]

Firewall was finished up and sub reinstalled to relocate column and other components





More to come later......

[Spiffav8]

Nice to see Tom is in good hands!

[windycitychev]

great looking build and always a good thing to have others give their opinion but I am sure your dream car will become even more special with all the attention, keep the pics coming

[Ron in SoCal]

A quote from Mike in my build thread:

Originally Posted by Musclerodz

About time Ron, sometimes bad things happen for good reasons. Now you know EXACTLY what you got, a solid car.

I like the way he thinks!