Colossus - the 1970 Concours frame replacement project

Minor, kinda-nothing update. Still forward progress.

Needed a bunch of hardware to complete motor install, went to the local U-Pull-It, and got all the hardware (exhaust manifold bolts, valve cover hardware, stuff for the shifter cross-shaft and parking brake) and still had time left, so went to a second yard. Found a complet untouched mid-late 70's crewcab truck with a 454, so grabbed hardware for the mounting of the AC compressor (already have brackets). figured, it's all off the motor to get the hardware, so bought the brackets and pump too (unopened system, seems to be a nice pump).



Also got a more correct low output 454 spec carb and dist, and all of the little stuff that will be needed to further the project along.

The parking brake clips that were on or inside of the car. Obviously one was a little weak...


The ones I got at the yard. I think the lower ones are from a early-mid 70's Caddy, they are going on the car. Won't bend those...


Buncha cleaned and painted parts

The valvecover load spreaders are in the pic above, painted orange. The studs and nuts are below. Good to reduce oil leaks.


Also forgot to take the plug out of the head where the temp sender goes, center of pic here.


Hate that the factory or previous owners put them in using plumbers-torque (tight as you can go, and then one more turn). Had to come out, so welded a lug nut onto it and spun it out with the impact.

 

Moved on to the suitcase on the firewall. Looked pretty bad after having been exposed to the elements for the last few years. tore it mostlay apart, cleaned everything, repainted the hardware and bits, clearcoated the case, and back together.



Finally rehung on the firewall.



Pushing to install the exhaust this weekend, then front clip and wiring harnesses.

Best to all,
Tom

 

At the rate you are going, you will have one HECK of a great car on the road very soon! Looking spectacular!

 

Welded a nut on the end. That's a great idea that I will probably use in the future. Never thought of that.


Brandon

 

Why is that? Are you expecting to confront overtightened plugs?

 

Not expecting it in the near future, but I've dealt with it several times in the past. I know one day it will happen again, most likely.

 

Just another trick for the tool box.

If you have the type of plug that is recessed (square drive or hex drive hole sunken in) do the same trick, but weld in a short stout bolt, and drive it out with that.

Also, sometimes a not too badly rusted in bolt can be welded on the end, getting it really hot, causing the corrosion to get baked away, and you can then rotate the bolt out of the threaded hole. Doesn't always work, but it has come in handy more than a few times for me.

Tom

 

We never used to screw those things in dry. Back then, we would use Fel-Pro gasket sealant. But, we were kids. Nowadays, people use teflon tape or maybe silicone, depending on the person. I do the former and keep the silicone for sealing cooling system connections or in the case of sheetmetal valvecovers, if the situation was to arise

 

Hans,
I have found that the factory installed plugs are put in with some type of sealant, and then are tightened way beyond overtight. Really a b!tch to get out, even on new engines. Guess GM doesn't want them to leak...

OK, little by little getting stuff done, not worth posting every little bit every day, but here's some...

Put on the exhaust manifolds, passenger side was correct, drivers it turns out was from an Impala... I don't know why this pciture is rotated, tried EVERYTHING to correct it, gave up...


So dug thru the bonepile and found a Chevelle manifold, has threaded AIR ports, got plugs now.

Misc stuff hung on motor, helps me organize hardware and brackets, also helps get stuff outta the back of the wagon...


I have an AC compressor for it, needs cleaning to be hung on...

Wrong year AC brackets. Oh well, not a correctly restored ca. They were in stock out back...

Always loved overhead views of Big Block Chevy's ever since I saw the pic of one in a 2nd Gen Vette in a How To Hot Rod BBC's book

Carb needs a rebuild, still need to install thermostat and other stuff...

Later style Chevy geared starter, and a positive battery cable from an Astro Van I had laying around. Nice and long with good ends, I can route it out of harms way. Put clips for it and the trans cooler lines onto the oil pan rail: (this pic is also uncooperative... whatever...)


Also started fitting up the exhaust, so far looks good, but will need new tailpipe hangers...




Hoping to get a lot done this weekend.

There, now I've jinxed it...!

 

Looking good Tom! Thanks for the update!

 

Very thorough write up! I know I like to think about taking pics when I'm working on projects, but I often get impatient taking the pics, so I tend to not always take any. Nice work!

 

I wish the had gear reduction starters, back then. To get one, we would have to buy a Chrysler product or something Asian

 

OK, got some time in here and there to work on the core support portion of this project. Had my helper working with me on this.

My wagon came with a 307 non-air core support, which has a block off for the smaller radiator. I had a spare 70 full opening core support in storage, so got it out for this project.

Old



New



My assistant: "you're not doin' it right..."


"This goes here, Dad!"



"Make sure it's not too tight"


"See, it's really easy"

Work done, she went back to her wading pool, making sure I got back to the project.

Few days further along, no pic of sand blasted or painted parts, except these.


Rough assembly



Hung on the car



More...

 

Also buttoned up the trans, getting the dented and mishappen pan (that wouldn't stop leaking at the gasket) off of the car. Hoping for no leaks...



New pan I had in stock, cleaned, painted and installed


Worked on the exhaust, the crossover in the Flowmaster system would touch the drive shaft at full suspension droop, so I worked to move the mufflers and intermediate pipes forward about 4 inches by adding material to the tailpipes. Also dropped the mufflers and tailpipe about an inch to improve clearance at the spare well and the fuel tank.

Lengthened tailpipe


Dropped mufler hanger by way of barrel nut spacers


Improved cross over clearance with the exhaust changes. Still close, but not touching.


Working on the headpipes now, hoping to finish in a couple of days.

Best to all,
Tom

 

update from the last few weeks worth of work, as other projects, both new and old, have intruded. Not much done, but moving still...

Got the rest of the exhaust cut, fitted, welded, and clamped, with the exception of the tailpipes. Waiting on the install of the fuel tank (which need the sender which is out for rebuild), and need to deal with tail pipe hangers which are kinda sucky. Otherwise I am pleased with the exhaust and probably will by the same system for my El Camino when the time comes to play with it.

Head pipes to the mid/x-over pipe


band clamps at mid and mufflers



View from the front


from the rear


the dropped muffler hangers and spacers with the lengthened tailpipe-to-muffler end. Did help with getting more space for the tailpipes to the body


Also got into working on front fenders, as I need to get the front light harness rebuilt, so will need to have the core support and related bits in the right location to make sure the harness is close to correct.

Bought lots of used factory sheetmetal, plan to use it to fix what needs it. Yes, a rotten Elco SS 396 fender for parts...


front harness getting some repair work done, still needs more.


fenderssss...



Thanks for looking,
Tom