Page 1. Newest Pics.
Page 2. The original build up.
Page 3. New frame and chassis.
Page 4. Engine and transmission.
Page 5. Interior.
Page 6. Body, Floor. 
Page 7. Body, Trunk.
Page 8. Moving to a new home.
Page 9. Front power disc brake conversion with a walk through.
Page10. Exterior body.

Ok here is where it all started. Back in 1989 i traded a 1979 mustang even up for a 1970 chevelle malibu. Being a senior in high school i made a lot of mistakes in modifying the car. Such as chrome and aluminum instead of a rock solid chassis. I paid a lot of unscrupulus people way too much money and put my trust in all the wrong people. That is not happening this time. I paid dearly but i learned how to rely on myself and family.
Fast forward 8 years ahead to 2004. I always wanted another chevelle. I was making decent money at the time, so started checking out ebay, local want ads, classifieds and friends contacts. Everytime i found a car i could afford someone swooped in and stole it out from under me. I finally lucked out finding a 1971 chevelle on ebay in brookville pa. I paid a grand total of 960.00 for a complete car minus drivetrain. Not a bad deal at the time. For eight years, i thought of what i would do to the car, if i ever had the opportunity again. I could have have bought a finished car later in my life but i wanted one that I did all the work on. That way i wouldnt question if it was done right.
Here it is at the knox paper plant in the roll room.Having it here made me very nervous because the employees that work here know the plant is slated for a permanent shutdown. I just hoped they wouldn't be spiteful and vandalize it.
First engine install. 307 chevy small block v8 with a 4 barrel quadrajet backed by a th350 for 320.00. Found this deal on ebay, the guy was from racetown pa somewhere near state college, the aution ended and nobody won the engine trans combo. We agreed on a price, then he informs me he also has a cowl hood for sale also for 100.00 extra of course i wanted it. So it comes time to deliver the engine to me and he gets lost. When he shows up late there is no hood on back of the trailer.What gives? He said he already promised it to someone else. What the fuck? I asked why did even offer it to me and he said he forgot. I should have told him no deal but i wanted this car on the road as soon as possible.
Had to replace the valve covers they were caved in and interfering with the valve train. Added an air cleaner and radiator support cover, radiator, upper and lower rad hoses. Yeah i know, it's chrome. It ran great for a whole month, then it backfired and wouldn't run right after. Shortly after, the bearings started squeaking. I surmised that the valve springs were weak, the timing chain had excessive slack, the cam was worn, bearings were gone. So i did some research and found that this block wasn't even a good candidate for rebuild (On the pad beside the fuel pump in the front of the engine is supposed to be a 10 or a 20 cast into it). There was neither which means it was weak block from the start. While was out shopping i picked up some cowl grille covers. Now before anyone says they're not supposed to have them, i know that. However i also don't want critters or leaves in my duct-work either. Besides, i think they look nice.
Custom made driveshaft 150.00 from pittsburgh driveshaft. New yokes, u-joints, tube, and balanced only took 2hrs. Picked it up the same day. Also in the pic is new e-brake cables with attaching hardware.
1972 chevelle ss dash complete with stereo pad less wiring harness. I really wish i took some before pics, man this thing was dirty and ragged out. Took about 2 hrs to clean.
Wiring harness for a 1972 chevelle i bought on ebay. This what it looked like when i opened the package from U.P.S.
Some wiring diagrams i {borrowed) from my old tech school. Cute story: I walked in there asking for access to their wiring diagram archives. After being treated as a second class citizen, i proceeded to help myself to the diagrams. I then went to kinko's and copied the originals and laminated some copies. I really miss school (LOL). Anyways i used these and some info from elree colby at team chevelle to rewire the dash and repin the connector for a 71 harness. 3 days later i was done
At the same time i was installing the guage package conversion i bought on ebay.
Now i finally have the dash installed. At the same time i bought a horseshoe shifter with cable and hardware off ebay. Now all i need is a console and wiring for it.
Engine bay pic showing the ammeter wires.
Bought some hood locks and installed em. Trust no one, not even yourself.Napoleon Bonaparte
Well i tried to buy a horn wire from my local supplier. I might as well been searching for the holy grail. Needless to say couldn't find it and everytime the brought a potential match it was way off, like not even the right section of the car. So made one a little solder some patience ane acontact kit and voilla!
Found some bucket seats on ebay for 60.00. They were pretty ragged out, but who cares.
Oh look more stuff from ebay. A 1971 pontiac gto floor shift steering column 65.00. Got torn apart that day prepping it for paint. Guess what? The jerk-offs that delivered it must have dropped it and collapsed the sleeve and shaft. Incompetence rewarded with a tip. Now i have to take apart the other column and mix parts to make this one work.
See the difference in length.
I took it to work and painted it during lunch break.
Now it's assembled with new switch and gm keyed lock cylinder. All ready to install.
There's that console i needed. Once again i had other pics but this is all thats left. Stripped the console and bought a trim plate with shift plate on ebay. Then picked up the wiring and shift indicator from M.C.O.

Thats okay. Now i can put this in. A 1968 325 HP 396 out of a 1970 chevelle convertible. I found the motor deal while walking around during a local car cruise. I told the guy nice engine! Is that a 396? He said yeah it's for sale too. I knew i had to have it. we settled on a price of 1200.00. Then he said if you give me a 1000.00 in a month its yours. So we exchanged phone numbers. One day he calls me up and says before you buy this motor i want you test drive it in my car. I almost fell over. After not driving a chevelle for over 8 years this was like a dream come true. Well i arrive on the scheduled day and there it is sitting in the driveway a 1970 chevelle convertible 396 powered with 4.11 posi rear idling with the top down waiting for me to drive. He drives it around town then looks at me and says your turn. Well i babied it at first barely getting above 2000 rpm. Then he says go ahead get on it so i would know what it can do. WOW! I would have to chalk that up to one of my most enjoyable experiences ever! So i come up with the money by the scheduled time, now all of a sudden there is a problem with me getting the motor. Apparently it was blocked in his mechanics garage by another car and who knows when i can pick it up. It seemed like i would NEVER own this motor. 3 months later i purchased this motor as you see it minus the pulleys, power steering pump and carb for the grand total of 1000.00.
Swapped the 307 out and the 396 in on a balmy 30 degree day. I didn't have a truck of my own on the road at the time. And it was my only day off that the seller of the engine would be available. So i borrowed my dads truck and rented an engine hoist for the day. 6 hrs later in the freezing cold i was done.
Installed the steering column and console with shifter, also i painted the horn pad and steering wheel.
First i switched the seat tracks from the driver side to the passenger seat. I then installed the seat. Hey it's starting to look like muscle car interior.
Once again an update collage. New power steering pump: advance auto 63.00. 396 375HP deep groove crank, power steering, water-pump pulleys, and power steering bracket:M.C.O. power steering attaching hardware:GUP.
New alternator for a 1975 suburban. Also rewired the engine harness added hei power wire and tach wire and remeved the tcs and coil wiring then wrapped all in correct tape. Looks how gm would have done it. Then i routed the whole thing the correct path.
Emission canister: EBAY. I also purchased a coolant sensor wire kit and routed with the emission and pcv hoses. Checkout how nice the hose routing looks.
Accel vari-angle plug wire boot kit. Now i can cut my plug wires to length and route them nicely.
There! That looks a lot better! At this time i also ordered and installed a 2 1/2in mandrel bent header back exhaust kit with x pipe and brackets from:Pypes.
Edelbrock performer ias frt shocks next to blow out brand.
Had other pics detailing this swap. Changed the front and rear springs and installed the new shocks.
In front of my local parts place. Got it running good now.
Hmm. Time for a road trip?
Took my car to it's first car cruise. Caste Village.
Next week norwin hills cruise. What a blast.
When i first bought the car. This is the pic from the ebay pic.
Six months later it was on the road.