.

It's a 455 from a 77 Grandville.
Edelbrock Performer RPM Aluminum Heads
.040 over KB Premium Pistons
10.5 to 1 Compression
Comp Cams Xtreme Energy Camshaft
Harland Sharp Aluminum Rocker Arms
Edelbrock Victor Aluminum High Rise Manifold
Road Demon 725 Carburator
Hedman Ceramic Coated Racing Headers
Flo Master Exaust System
Holley 12-125 Fuel Pump
Morosso Alumimun Water Pump
MSD Distributer
MSD AL/6 Ignition
Turbo 400 transmission w/ shift kit
B/M Shifter
Eaton Posi-traction 10-bolt 3.43 to 1 Rear End
I'm looking at a very streetable 450+ HP and even higher torque numbers. A 150 shot of nitrous and we're talking 600 HP...
The intake manifold and valve covers have been powder coated the same color as the Hedman ceramic headers. Aluminum water pump and heads have been left as is and the alternator has been polished. This will look sharp in the black semi-gloss engine bay. The car will be painted Victory Red.
.
.
Pacific Bay Collision Center in San Diego is doing the paint and bodywork. They have been great to work with.

.
A poorly repaired back end of the car was fixed before replacing the trunk pan.

.
The replacement pan did not have the extra space for rearend to bottom out in. So, it was left in and the replacement pan was trimmed to leave the orignal space.



.
The Bird sported a hi-rise manifold and tunnel Ram. But the original hood is going back on. Massive torque and horsepower under the hood is cool.

.
It wouldn't be a 70's era hot rod with out some bondo. I'll be keeping the original fenders, since they have very little rust and will be redoing the bondo.

.
The standard black interior will be converted to the deluxe interior in parchment.
.
I'll be adding updates later...
.
Update 11-22-05
.
The new passenger floor pan is set in place. The seat supports are being kept.

.
The passenger side has been welded and off comes the driver's side floor pan. Notice the big bump in the floor.


.
The finished floor(covered with sanding dust).
.
Rodney(In the center of the picture, caressing the bird) has been doing most of the work so far. But, the whole crew is getting into the act.

Annie
.
The new trunk deck.

.
Update 12-22-05
.
Here's the sub frame. It has been straightened and has been left in place while the floor was fitted. It will come off for new polyurethene bushings later.
.
Being a California car meant, I could keep the original doors, hood, fenders and do minimal work on the roof. However, my good fortunes ran out when we got to the rear quarter panels. The passenger side will be getting a new quarter panel skin.

.
The naked quarter panel skin.


.
This whole can of debries came from inside the passenger quarter panel
.
This car may of had some work done on it down in TJ. This wad of newspaper was found as backing for the bondo inside the passenger quarter panel.
.
The driver's side quarter panel will have to be replaced entirely, to correct a poor previous repair job and rust on the bottom.

.
1-22-06
Here's the driver's side full quarter panel. I got it from a guy in Santa Ana in about 2 weeks. This was one of the few parts I couldn't get from Year One or Classic Industries.

Some of the brackets had to be fabricated where the trunk meets the quarter panel. But, things are comming together.

The hood has been blocked out and is ready for primer. The passenger door has been primed and gives hope for the future.


I hope to be in paint for my next update...
2-22-06
The back half is done and primered.
.

.
.
.
The front isn't too far behind

.
.
.
The previous owner cut out the air vents for speakers. This is the last sheetmetal work on the car.

Soon...
The new front end looks sharp.
It is test fitted before painting the car.

The inside of the cab and engine compartment has alread been painted black and the door jams, outer engine compartment and outer hood have been painted Victory Red.
.
.
.


Ready for paint.
.
.
.

Victory Red
All Buffed out and ready to go back together.


Cool Hood Tach
