StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Ok, so I finally broke down and bought it. It was only $800, and it's a gorgeous piece of machinery... It just needs some lovin.

Added to list of toys: 1970 Chevelle (not an SS, but better than nothing). Everything's stock, and it's got about 200k miles on it. Runs, but shakes above 55. Chasis in good condition, needs a paint job rather desperately. Tires showing the first signs of baldness. Probably wouldn't pass CA emissions inspections, but fortunately MA is a lot more lenient. Needs new exhaust system (headers to tip), new muffler, new brake pads, new suspension (or it will very soon), and the engine needs to be given a generous once-over.

And it's here that I run into my problem. See, I COULD just fix up the engine, replace all the hoses, give it a much-needed grease job, and otherwise play doctor to the tired hunk of metal.

OR...

I could rip out the whole block and replace it with something else. Right now the car's running a small block 200-something, as was stock back then. What I COULD do is rip it out and see if I could get a big-block 350 from my uber-mechanic uncle. The problem with that is this, though: If I get the 350, I'll need a better exhaust, and I'll probably break down and get a flowmaster. And then I'll have to rework the transmission, or gut that, too, and replace it with one that has... umm... "quick" gear-ratios. And if I rework the transmission, then I'll probably stiffen up the suspension. And if I do that, then I'll give it some nice chrome racing rims. And a paint job, of course. And after all that, then I'll probably have to go BACK to the engine and chrome it up a little bit, 'cuz that's how we do it where I come from. And then we'd install chips for efficient fuel distribution. And with all of this (and some nice racing slicks), I'll probably need a roll-bar.

And I would obviously not even consider this if I had paid thousands of dollars for the car. But with the money I saved, am I justified in tweaking it back to what the Chevelle SHOULD be?

It sounds like you have your work cut out for you, but when your done I'll bet it will be a very cool ride.

What color is it??

BrYaN19kc wrote:It sounds like you have your work cut out for you, but when your done I'll bet it will be a very cool ride.

What color is it??

Mostly rust, right now.

But it used to be this ugly-ass piss-after-four-cups-of-coffee-and-a-half-dozen-bran-muffins yellow.

I know exactly what you're dealing with. I picked up an '84 Porsche 944 n/a for $1900 as a Christmas present to myself. It was in need of a lot of work. Over the past three years I've been doing a little hear and there in order to restore it to stock. Of course, the $big$ jobs (torque tube, dash, and steering) have been put on hold since I went back to school. I figure I'll be done in about another three years.

Got any pics of it?

Phil Skayhan wrote:I know exactly what you're dealing with. I picked up an '84 Porsche 944 n/a for $1900 as a Christmas present to myself. It was in need of a lot of work. Over the past three years I've been doing a little hear and there in order to restore it to stock. Of course, the $big$ jobs (torque tube, dash, and steering) have been put on hold since I went back to school. I figure I'll be done in about another three years.

Well, the steering needs to be fixed anyway, so I might go ahead and do that as one of the first things (after a trip to Midas, of course. I don't feel like lifting the car to put on brakes). But yeah, torque tube and dash (actually, the restoration of the entire interior) will be put off for a bit while I get it to good stock running condition. This serves two purposes: One, as long as it runs well, I can drive it around. Two: Tuned, working engines sell for more than ones that haven't been touched in 30 years but to have the oil changed.

And for the record, revamping a Porsche 944 takes a bit more know-how than bolting together a Chevy. My compliments.

Got any pics of it?

Not yet. And even if I did, you wouldn't want to see them. The car is absolutely atrocious.

A 350 V8 isn't a big block, IIRC it's a mid block engine. A 454 is a big-block.

But certainly look into replacing that engine. You should be able to find a good 350 block at a local wrecking yard, and it shouldn't cost too much to get it put back together. And as for a transmission, get either a 350 or Turbo 400--both are very tough trannies (IIRC the Turbo 400 is regarded as one of GM's toughest automatics).