1972 Chevelle SS trade

[retroedaddy]

I have decided to start on my Chevelle build.I traded it for a CJ7 on here and when I got the car it was missing most of it's front end although it came with a lot of the parts to put it together.
My understanding on the car was that it was a total restoration in 2005 and the interior looks like it.It's flawless.These are the pics as the car came,most of the suspension stripped as well as the front end.

 

[retroedaddy]

I started with all new front end parts,I have never put this together and although I had the parts I didn't have a press.I found youtube videos on how to get around that.I gotta thank my wife,although my kids sleep right through me Hammering on the floor in the living room at 1AM,my wife was very patient about it keeping her up.She even helped me bolt it all together,I was also unable(too Impatient) to get a spring compressor.I used ratcheting straps on the hard stuff.I also at this point installed new bearings and Brake parts.I don't know where she got those glasses but she was making fun of my welding Helmet.

 

[retroedaddy]

Next of course was tying the steering back together and installing the steering box.Almost every piece of this is new the few pieces I had to re use I painted with a heavy coat of red.I like the Krylon paint they sell at Wal-mart.It has a nice flat spray and always leaves me with a nice glossy coat.

 

[retroedaddy]

Next of course was the motor,The car came with a small block 350.I have never owned a Small Block Chevelle and I guess this wasn't gonna be my first.I had two 454's out in the Shop as well as a spattering of BBC parts I have picked up over the years,so I put started putting together the best of the parts and managed to assemble a complete engine.

 

[retroedaddy]

Mostly just tying up loose ends now.I am getting all the bolts tightened that got over looked in the rush to get the motor in.My wife helped again with the Trans Crossmember/Line it up and installing the driveshaft.I am starting on the electric this week and trying to find a set of decent Headers so I can finally hear this thing run.So far though it's come a long way from the car I traded for an old CJ7.